Krepitev podjetniških in finančnih kompetenc mikro podjetnic v lepotnih in wellness sektorjih

"<< Background >>Eurostat (2018) reports that women are significantly less likely to be self-employed and entrepreneurs than men. Challenges that discourage women from doing so are multifaceted, linked to human capital - e.g. women have less entrepreneurial experience than men, less social capital (smaller networks, less links to funding), less knowledge about entrepreneurship and finance. There is a negative perception of women entrepreneurs in society and politics, including tax systems and family policies. Interestingly, Leitch et al. (2018) explain that women entrepreneurs are less likely to seek advice and external financing because they believe that bankers perceive them as less reliable. Women entrepreneurs mostly work in the personal service sector (e.g. hairdressing, beauticians, beauty services). We have analysed the actual situation in Maribor and Larissa and visit hairdressers, massage parlours, beauticians,..., carrying out in-situ surveys. We got a response that they would need additional skills in entrepreneurship, including digitalisation, skills in preparing annual reports, managing accounts, understanding finance, interest, financial products for entrepreneurs, etc. and would be willing to participate in the activity.<< Objectives >>The main objective was achieved, namely EnFinCap was to empower women micro-entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial and financial competences, knowledge and confidence to take charge of their lives and create a secure future for themselves and their families. The aim of the project was to increase the number of successful women entrepreneurs or self-employed women. Specifically, the project improved entrepreneurial and financial literacy in the beauty and well-being sectors, as women are often employed in these sectors.We have also achieved individual specific objectives, namely: 1. we mapped existing competences in the partner countries on entrepreneurial and financial ""literacy"", existing competences, knowledge, obtaining a total of 238 responses2. we have created a platform (with an e-course) to ensure that women entrepreneurs acquire knowledge, skills and competences in the field of entrepreneurship and financial literacy;3. we created training materials and carried out short-term training for staff (n=23) and training for women entrepreneurs (41);4. 5 multiplier events with 170 participants.5. we spread awareness about the project and the project itself (IG, youtube, website, twitter)6. we signed 6 MoUs.<< Implementation >>PR1: 4 mapping exercises (in all partner countries) on the existing knowledge and competences of women micro-entrepreneurs were carried out. The mappings helped us to identify needs and gaps. Using statistics, we identified 5 main gaps within the competences. These are: developing successful business models, promoting knowledge, investment skills, improving financial literacy, promoting long-term and sustainable business activity, improving digital competences. This also achieved the first specific objective of the project, where we exceeded the indicator on the number of people involved. The target indicator was 200, we obtained 238 responses in the mapping. We prepared 4 mappings, which we combined into one document. Within this we produced and published 3 documents: State-of-the-art report_Part1; Competencies report_Part2 and Statistical evaluation report_Part3, which together form the output of PR1.PR2: Based on the gaps identified in PR1, we have drafted the content of the coursebook, the e-textbook and the learning platform. This was then followed by refinements based on user input at project events and learning activities (C1, C2). The result is a working interactive learning platform, connected and freely accessible via the project website.PR3: we have created 60 microtraining e-lessons - 10 per topic (module) or per partner organisation. We covered topics on entrepreneurship, finance, digitalisation, credit, how to increase income and investment, and we added additional topics human resource management (10 more topics were developed than envisaged in the application form). We made the lessons interactive and user-friendly with the Genial.ly tool. In addition, we have created a methodological guide for using the e-lessons, including a technical guide on how to use the platform. We have also created quiz questions that are published and accessible directly on the Moodle platform, which contributes to the interactivity of the platform - so our target audience gets real-time feedback on the extent of their learning and their progress through the e-modules when using the platform.During the staff training in Larissa, Greece (20-24 February), we presented the e-content among 23 participants. The partners also exchanged good practices and experiences - especially on the advanced features of Genial.ly. According to the feedback, the lessons were built upon and improved. We have also achieved a uniform look of the lessons to maintain the visual image of the project despite the contribution of several organisations. Participants also gained soft skills and language skills, and empowered themselves to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers and fear of public speaking. They were thus able to pass on the knowledge they had acquired during the training in the next steps of the project. The knowledge was tested with a pre-post questionnaire and certificates were issued.C2 took place from 8-12 May 2023. Together with the accompanying staff and external participants, 46 people attended the training. A test version of the platform was presented to the participants, and financial literacy training was also provided. A competency evaluation was carried out and opinions were collected through individual short reports. After the training, certificates were distributed.We prepared the methodology for the national multiplier events, which took place in Slovenia, Greece, Austria and Bulgaria between April and June 2023. E1-E5 (multiplier events) were carried out in the final phase of the development of PR2-PR3. E5 represented an international conference in Slovenia, which served to promote the project, to publicise the topic under discussion, and as a basis for further exploitation of the project after its end, notably through the signing of the MoU. We have also carried out dissemination and promotion activities on a regular basis from the project start and throughout its life cycle.For the management and organisation of the project, we met with the project partners online once a month throughout the project period. This allowed us to check the work of the partners and to find solutions to any complications. The online meetings were always organised using the Jitsi tool, so that the partners also gained new knowledge about the possibilities of digital tools. During the project we also held 3 transnational project meetings where we met partners live. The first TPM took place in Vienna on 3-4 February 2022 and was attended by 9 representatives of the organisations. The second TPM took place in Sofia from 26 - 27.9.2022. 9 representatives of the organisations also attended. The last project meeting took place in Maribor, together with the international EnFinCap closing conference. It was also attended by 9 representatives of the organisations.We also carried out evaluation activities (3 project evaluation reports, evaluations of all TPMs, C1, C2) and dissemination activities, where we reached a total of around 640,000 people, taking into account the number of RTV subscribers and the circulation of the magazines in which EnFinCap was published.<< Results >>a) Project results:1. 4 mapping exercises (in all partner countries) on existing knowledge and competences of micro-enterprises. The mapping helped us to identify training needs and gaps. They can also serve as a starting point for formal or non-formal education representatives to design their own training sessions. The results were reinforced by conducting focus groups.2. Development and design of e-learning in English and all partner languages: 1. BUSINESS LITERACY: how to start a business, which type of business to choose, SWOT analysis, differentiation, product policy, business insurance, business liabilities, how to find the right bank, business administration, communication policy 2. FINANCIAL LITERACY: the concept and meaning of financial literacy, alternative costing, saving, investing, assets, liabilities, cash flows, financial performance, accounting documents, taxation. 3. DIGITALISATION IN BUSINESS: introduction to digitalisation, benefits of digitalisation in business, digital marketing, digitalisation in corporate governance, digitalisation in financial management, digital business advice and consultancy, challenges and risk management, recruitment and training, financing options, case studies. 4. LENDING LITERATURE: Introduction to lending, small business lending, requirements and governance, factors influencing business loan terms, interest rates, leasing, debt financing, equity financing, loan amortisation system, loan maturity date. 5. How to maximise revenue/investment: business development strategy - planning and goal setting, business development strategy - products and services, costs and cost optimisation, marketing tools to retain loyal customers, monitoring competition, market analysis and expansion into new markets, outsourcing and investment in equipment, real estate and people, risk management, pricing strategies, psychological fallacies in business and consumer behaviour. 6. MANAGEMENT OF ASSOCIATED RESOURCES: employer value proposition, search, recruitment, induction, employment contracts, salaries, work-life balance, internal and external communication, compliance policy, termination of contract. We have also developed a companion e-textbook to facilitate the use of the platform.3. An interactive multilingual learning platform, including training materials based on micro-training principles.46 participants in a pilot entrepreneurship training for women in the beauty and wellness sector in Austria, 23 participants in a staff training in Greece.5. 170 individuals who participated in E1-E5 groups.6. Dissemination of learning activities through videos (YouTube, social media, website) to support the learning of trainers, professionals and women entrepreneurs and to raise awareness of the >2000 reached.7. 6 MoUs signed to facilitate the exploitation of the project after its completion.8. Dissemination, evaluation and assessment plan of the project results.9. Multilingual project website, logo and visual identity.b)Results for the target groups (perceived through evaluation):1. New and improved competences and skills and improved digital skills reported by participants. E.g. partners learned to use new tools: DeepL, Genial.ly, ...Increased ability to manage businesses, finances, maintain a sound financial position and avoid insolvency with confidence and autonomy (96.3% of participants increased their knowledge at C2 level).3. Encouraging women entrepreneurs to think interdisciplinarily, be creative, innovative and take new approaches to understanding and managing business and finance.4. Training recognition certificates (64)5. Empowerment of staff (teachers, mentors, etc.) for training in entrepreneurship, finance and digitalisation (26% increase in C1 skills, 23 persons).6. Opportunities for networking with VET organisations, NGOs, experts, etc., thus facilitating the exchange of knowledge, good practices7. Improving language and cultural skillsc) Educational and other outcomes: 1. Promoting lifelong learning through digitisation.2. Enriching existing e-learning platforms with new and innovative concepts and content (also for partner organisations).3. New e-learning opportunities ready to be integrated into the VET process in the partner countries.4. Enriching formal and non-formal training.5. Promoting effective international networking through institutional cooperation.7. Increased motivation to improve personal and family well-being (financial stability of women entrepreneurs).8. Strengthening of good practices between partners (partners' statement: ""The advantages of PR2/PR3 are mainly in learning about good practices of project partners, the skills of using different tools to achieve project objectives are very useful"").9. Increasing the impact of the knowledge of the partner institutions (new methodological didactic skills - world cafe, focus groups, knowledge on how to use Genial.ly, etc.)."