AWAKE: Advancement of Women Activity Via Knowledge of Entrepreneurship

Project Leader: Bandırma Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Navigation
Partners: Drama Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GREECE)         
Budget: 129.345,00 Euro (10% Chamber contribution)
Duration: 12 months

Objectives:

Overall objective of the project is to support economical and social structure of the region through encouraging entrepreneurship spirit among women locate in the region and to stimulate women entrepreneurs, women managers, executives and experts to look into new possibilities of business developments within the Acquis Communautaire for Gender Mainstreaming.

Specific objectives of the project are;

• To provide direct support to both women entrepreneurs and potential ones who are the entrepreneur candidates of the future, in Edirne region.
• Develop a specialized structured training programme directed to women entrepreneurs' needs and adapted to Turkish' cultural and business conditions to create a core group' of women business experts and marketing experts for the benefit of women enterprises of companies;
•  Provide to women and chamber staff specialized training on modern management methods towards development of women enterprises;
• Provide information on the European Union, European rules and regulations on gender mainstreaming;
•  Initiate entrepreneurial cooperation between Edirne and Drama regions via building up working networks of contacts for women enterprises;
• Shatter the myths that women cannot be successful entrepreneurs and excellent business and marketing managers

Estimated Results:

The project will support both the women entrepreneurs, executives and experts in the management staff of main companies and potential women entrepreneurs through giving knowledge and experience to succeed in their entrepreneurial activities. Furthermore, it will provide incentives and in some cases the tools for women entrepreneurs to achieve in their business endeavours and will supply the necessary steps for cooperation with similar enterprises in Greece and thereby, in other EU countries. The theoretical steps of gender mainstreaming will be provided through the project with a special attention to corrections and steps needed to bring the gender mainstreaming activities aligned with the standard practices of the European Union acquis. On the other hand, the project will enable an effective cooperation network among the women entrepreneurs of both regions; and in this way, Turkish women will have chance both to collaborate with Greek colleagues and to recognize good applications. Both technical and intellectual capacity of "WEST" of Edirne CCI will be supported and an effective service for women entrepreneurs to the regio" will be provided.
Project activities and alternated vision through project activities will also effect the vision of society and eliminate barriers in front of women in business life.

Activities:

• Specialized training programme to support women entrepreneurship
• Specialized training programme to support competence of "Women Entrepreneurs Supporting Team" of ECCI
• Market visits to acquire know-how, expertise and to develop business network contacts and contact
• Two International Conferences to take place in Edirne and Drama.
• A comprehensive study on Gender Mainstreaming to be used by women organizations, other chambers, etc. in Turkey and Greece.

Contacts

Edirne Chamber of Commerce and Industry www.etso.org.tr
Melike Tatlı
Tel: + 90 284 225 10 14   Ext: 121
Fax: + 90 284 212 98 64
E mail: meliketatli@etso.org.tr

Drama Chamber of Commerce and Industrywww.ccidrama.gr
Alkis Papademetriou
TEL:00-302-521-022750
FAX:00-302-521-025835
E-mail: pap@dramanet.gr