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 ractically all the measures identified in the Member States were designed to be implemented at national or regional, or even local, levels. Given the range of differences in business environments and cultures across Europe, it is clear that for most measures, action at EU level would be inappropriate. The Commission is therefore focusing on sharing ideas and experience between policy-makers, including among those at European level.
The WES network(1) allows policy-makers from national governments across all 25 Member States to exchange ideas and look for help and advice from counterparts who have experience of addressing specific problems. A common electronic platform is being developed to facilitate interaction. Nielsen notes that the Commission acts as facilitator for the network, but does not fund it. Many of the members have worked with small groups of counterparts in individual projects, strengthening the network.
ProWomEn(2) (see ‘Twinning for winning’), funded by the Innovating Regions in Europe network, brings together policy-makers from 16 regions across Europe with a particular interest in support measures for women entrepreneurs. “This type of network creates good links between regions,” Nielsen emphasises, “and can have an impact on other policies. Often partnerships are formed to work on other types of projects, such as Equal projects.”
Equal(3) is a Community Initiative – part of the EU’s Structural Funds – overseen by the Commission’s Employment and Social Affairs DG. Its focus is on equal opportunities for all in access to, and the world of, work. Although much of its activities concern employees, encouraging people to set up in business is also an effective way to get them into work. “We have done a lot of work with Equal,” says Intzipeoglou, “and many of our recommendations are now being used in their actions, in areas such as access to finance and providing tailored support measures.” The OECD has also taken up the methodology developed in this BEST project, showing the value of the tools developed.
Organisations such as Eurochambres (chambers of commerce), FEM, the organisation of women entrepreneurs within UEAPME (European federation of SMEs) and FCEM (the world federation of women business owners) are also engaged in research and promotion activities to further the position of women in business. The resultant networks have many points of overlap, and the basis for a wide-ranging network to support women entrepreneurs is already in place. The challenge now is to build on this to encourage more women to try out their ideas on the market. (1) See http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/entrepreneurship/craft/craft-women/wes.htm
(2) See http://newcome.de/prowomen/english/index.php
(3) See http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/ equal/index_en.html
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WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
