EU project supports women's social entrepreneurship in Russia
Within the framework of the project, applications for participation in “We act” business incubator were opened in the beginning of 2020. “We act” is an intensive free educational program for women in the field of social entrepreneurship (innovative entrepreneurial activity focused on solving a social problem). In total, 282 applications from 46 regions of Russia were received, and 28 start-up entrepreneurs, as well as representatives of 6 non-profit organizations (who will implement similar business incubators for social start-ups in their regions) became finalists. The age of participants ranges from 20 to 61 years.
The business projects selected for the Incubator are aimed at solving such social problems as training, employment and socialization of people with disabilities; environmental protection and sustainable development; support of socially vulnerable categories of population; education of children from unprotected families, etc.
The three-month incubation program, which started on July 1 in an online format, is focused on practice: theoretical lessons will amount to only 30% of the educational process. Each participant received a plan with expected results to track the evolution of their project. The Incubator will be completed in Moscow in September. Eight start-up entrepreneurs and four non-profit organizations will receive grants for social business development and educational trips to Europe. The total prize fund of the program is 28,000 euros for social entrepreneurs and 80,000 euros for NGOs.