European Best Practice Gallery
EmpowerHer
Building Pathways for Migrant Women in Social Entrepreneurship
FUNDING PROGRAMME
Erasmus+
PROJECT NUMBER
KA220-ADU-1744C3AE-P1
DURATION
01/10/2024 - 30/09/2026
COORDINATING ORGANISATION
Germanitas
PARTNER COUNTRIES
Coordinator: Poland
Partners: Austria, Finland, Italy, Portugal
WEBSITE
https://empowerherproject.app
CONTACT PERSON
Agnieszka Buk
biuro@germanitas.pl
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & BACKGROUND
The EmpowerHer project emerges as a pivotal initiative amidst the evolving socio-economic landscape of Europe, characterised by demographic shifts, the immediate repercussions of geopolitical tensions, notably the Ukraine conflict, and an escalating refugee crisis. These factors disproportionately impact migrant women, exacerbating their challenges in achieving economic integration and accessing entrepreneurial opportunities. This project is motivated by a pressing need to bridge the funding and support gap for migrant women's entrepreneurial endeavors, enhancing their participation in social entrepreneurship.
EmpowerHer applies an innovative approach, incorporating a blend of European competence frameworks that cater to the specific needs of migrant women. This integration ensures a comprehensive skill set development, tailored to navigate the complexities of establishing a social enterprise in a foreign context. Additionally, the project leverages digital tools, particularly a mobile application, to offer accessible, flexible learning and resources. This digital dimension is critical in transcending geographical and logistical barriers, facilitating continuous engagement and support for migrant women entrepreneurs.
TARGET GROUPS
EmpowerHer works with the following target groups:
- Migrant women and female refugees (including recent migrants from Ukraine) who lack skills needed on the job market, essential education and those who struggle with entering the labour market, particularly addressing adult women between 18 and 40 years of age. These women are characterised by their aspiration to initiate businesses, particularly in the social entrepreneurship sector.
- Adult educators involved in migrant integration across the partner countries.
- Strategically involved stakeholders who support the crafting and implementing of support mechanisms for micro-businesses.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
1. Provide migrant women with the necessary knowledge and skills to become successful entrepreneurs and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive economy by using an innovative blend of teaching methodology and European Competence Frameworks.
2. Equip migrant women with entrepreneurial and digital competencies essential for running successful businesses in the digital age, including design thinking, AI applications, digital marketing, cybersecurity, and e-commerce strategies.
3. Train adult educators and career counsellors to effectively deliver the developed curriculum using the flipped classroom methodology, cascading knowledge to a wider audience and using bespoke learning resources to further impact entrepreneurial capacity building for migrant women.
4. Establish a network of stakeholders, mentors, and participants, both locally and at the European level, to share project results, replicate successful practices, and foster collaboration.
PROJECT RESULTS
1. A curriculum for digital content and social entrepreneurship toolkit, including:
- Six lesson plans (5 lesson hours each, 30 lesson hours in total) for six modules
- Six interactive HTML5 modules supporting lesson plans (face-to-face), available through the e-learning
- Each module is supported by 10 flipped classroom Micro Learning Resources in the EmpoverHer Mobile App
2. A fully accessible e-Learning platform consisting of:
- Six self-directed learning modules
- A section for migrant woman entrepreneurs including six interactive self-directed learning modules
- A section for adult educators and career counsellors including four interactive self-directed leanring modules
3. A native EmpoverHer mobile application for IOS and Android consisting of:
- 60 Micro Learning Resources to support the face-to-face curriculum using the Flipped Classroom methodology
- 10 Micro Learning Resources per module (text, video, quiz) in the app
- A minimum 25 Case Studies of successful migrant woman entrepreneurs in a European context from all partner countries
- A minimum 10 video interviews with local women entrepreneurs from all partner countries
- Assessments for each module
4. The EmpowerHer “In-Service” Training Programme and E-Learning platform for educators consisting of four self-directed learning modules