On May 7, 2026, an online focus group brought together nine key stakeholders from the Ligurian entrepreneurial ecosystem as part of the GLOW-CE project. The session opened with an overview of the region’s business demographics, focusing on female entrepreneurship and the ongoing impact of brain drain, followed by the presentation of findings from a preliminary survey of 13 participants. Using interactive Mentimeter polls and open-ended questions, the stakeholders engaged in a highly dynamic debate to identify barriers and share best practices.
Key Findings and Challenges Participants reached a clear consensus: while Liguria has a wealth of business support players—such as trade associations and institutions—their efforts are highly fragmented. They rarely offer a cohesive service to the business community. This systemic barrier creates a lack of clarity regarding “who does what,” making it incredibly difficult for entrepreneurs to access available opportunities, especially those operating in rural areas.
When looking at gender-specific challenges, female entrepreneurship in the region is hindered by psychological barriers and deep-seated biases. Furthermore, women face major difficulties in achieving a work-life balance, lack local success stories to inspire them, and struggle with a persistent financial literacy gap that complicates both the creation and sustainability of their businesses.