Partners of the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE project GLOW-CE – Gender-equal Leadership and Opportunities for Women met in Krk, Croatia, to explore how regions can better support women entrepreneurs through accessible services, stronger cooperation and targeted actions responding to local needs.
Hosted by Wondernature and led by the Lead Partner STRIA, the meeting combined regional insights, peer learning and collaborative planning. Jelena Holenko Pirc (Wondernature) introduced participants to the local context of Gorski Kotar, while Nikoletta Lupó (STRIA) guided discussions and facilitated joint work throughout the two-day programme.
Across Europe, women continue to face barriers when starting and growing businesses, particularly in rural and peripheral areas where access to business support services, professional networks and mentoring opportunities is often limited. Addressing these challenges is at the heart of the GLOW-CE project.
During the first months of implementation, project partners engaged with women entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, business support organisations and regional stakeholders to better understand local realities. Through surveys, focus groups and regional workshops, they gathered valuable insights into the opportunities and obstacles shaping women’s entrepreneurial journeys.
Discussions in Krk revealed that many challenges are shared across Central Europe. Women frequently report difficulties in accessing information, finance and tailored support, while stakeholders highlighted the need for better coordination among support organisations and more accessible services outside major urban centres.
At the same time, partners exchanged inspiring examples of local initiatives and emerging good practices that demonstrate how regions can create more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems. Discussions confirmed that effective support goes beyond financial assistance and should also include networking opportunities, skills development, mentoring and confidence-building measures.
A key theme throughout the meeting was co-creation. Rather than designing solutions for women entrepreneurs, GLOW-CE aims to develop solutions together with them. The knowledge gathered during the project’s exploration phase will now serve as the foundation for regional action plans and pilot activities tailored to the specific needs of participating regions.
Participants also visited the Croatian association Žene za otok, whose work provides an inspiring example of how community-led initiatives can empower women, strengthen local networks and contribute to sustainable regional development.
The meeting was also joined online by Clara Kiess, Project Officer from the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Joint Secretariat, whose participation highlighted the importance of transnational cooperation and collaborative efforts in creating more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Beyond the working sessions, the meeting strengthened cooperation among project partners.
As the project moves into its next phase, partners will continue working closely with women entrepreneurs, support organisations and regional stakeholders to transform identified challenges into concrete actions and lasting impact.
Special thanks go to Wondernature for hosting the event and creating an inspiring environment for exchange and learning, as well as to Nikoletta Lupó, whose leadership helped bring together diverse regional perspectives and translate them into a shared vision for empowering women entrepreneurs across Central Europe.