En newsletter no 4 final

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Project number: 2015-1-IS01-KA204-013171

NEWSLETTER 04

/April 2018/

2 » Final Conference in Iceland: Bringing Female Entrepreneurs Together 3 » A Guide for Policy Makers by FREE 3 » What’s Next? Business Plan of a Project FREE 4 » Dream Deco: a Story of Desi from Bulgaria 5 » The Last Page

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.


NEWSLETTER 04 /April 2018/

Final Conference in Iceland: Bringing Female Entrepreneurs Together The final conference for the FREE project was held in Sauðárkrókur, Iceland, on the 18th of April, the last day of winter in Iceland. 62 enthusiastic participants, both women entrepreneurs and policy makers, attended the conference. Also women entrepreneurs in the area were invited to come and introduce their products and companies. Ásdís Guðmundsdóttir, project leader of FREE project, introduced the project and the outputs, Marina Larios from Inova talked about Mentoring circles and Merethe Rabolle from Iceland talked about her personal experience in the Virtual (former Mentoring) circles.

Conference has been opened by project leader Ásdís Guðmundsdóttir. Project FREE lasted for almost 3 years. There are many things to tell that we are happy about and proud of.

Guðrún Stella Gissurardóttir introduced the methodology of the networks and Lilja Gunnlaugsdóttir, a network leader from Northwest Iceland, and Jill Turner, a network leader from the Peak District in the UK, told their personal stories about their work in the project.

Befere the conference and during the breaks participants could mingle around and try out or buy products from local female entrepreneurs.

Three workshops were offered in marketing, business strategy and design thinking. At last Sirrý Arnardóttir spoke about effective communication, networking and how to present yourself in an efficient way. The conference ended on a fun networking event where everyone exercised their elevator pitch. Participants were very happy with the conference and the chance to meet other women entrepreneurs. They were encouraged to use the material on the training platform that will be available for the next 2 years at least and to continue to meet in the network that has been established in the area.

62 enthusiastic participants, both women entrepreneurs and policy makers, attended the conference.

You can find out more about the project here: www.ruralwomenacademy.eu

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NEWSLETTER 04 /April 2018/

A Guide for Policy Makers by FREE The Policy Guide is made with a simple goal: to encourage policymakers to assist female entrepreneurs in rural areas, by introducing them to the results of the FREE project and giving them some ideas on how to encourage and support these women. It was prepared for policymakers who make decisions at a national and local level to promote the importance of making enterprise support available to female entrepreneurs in rural areas. It is essential to ensure that more women in rural areas across Europe can set up their own businesses and live their dream of being an entrepreneur, creating successful companies and

wonderful products and services. We find that Lifelong Learning is in constant need and is especially desirable for entrepreneurs and leaders in the community. Being open towards education, sharing and networking is a crucial quality and a requirement to become a successful entrepreneur. In this Guide, readers will find recommendations gathered by project partners from evaluation forms and focus groups implemented in all partnership countries. You can read all guide in EN, IC, HR, BG, LT here: http://ruralwomeninbusiness.eu/

What’s Next? Business Plan of a Project FREE There are three main outputs developed by project FREE (Online Hard Skills Training, Virtual Circles and Networks) which has a potential to be exploited further on and be sustainable both all together and separately. The consortium of the project has developed a business plan which considers possibilities of future development project results, provides a deep market research, outlines the partners’ potential of further exploitation of FREE outcomes. Many profit or non-profit organizations located in partners’ countries which provide business support for the first year entrepreneurs both female and male, but there are no any complex products produced for female entrepreneurs living

in rural areas or other groups with lower opportunities (unemployed, young people, older people and so on). Deliverables of project FREE can be adopted to needs of other groups of society and bring a special value to the community. Consortium has considered all possible funding opportunities which may fit to concept of the project FREE: the main part of project products is online, therefore, the most reasonable mean to make FREE sustainable is by using the available facilities of the project platform: charging a membership or embedding advertisements. The other opportunity to make the project sustainable isLithuanian to look groups for European or meeting nationaltofunding met for a joint get to opportunities within oreach outside the consortium. know other

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NEWSLETTER 04 /April 2018/

Dream Deco: a Story of Desi from Bulgaria Desislava Yankova – Kostadinova is a 32 years old lady from the town of Sandanski, Bulgaria and an owner of “Dream Deco Studio”. Desislava is a real inspiration for women from her community. A loving wife and mother of a 7-year-old girl, Desislava has a Masters in Law, but she would like to refer to herself more as an artist than as a lawyer.

“I design and create handcraft personalised items, not only with my hands but with all my soul”. “Dream Deco” was “born” about three years ago. Initially, it was just a hobby that gradually became a successful business. My creations include baby and wedding albums for pictures, jewelry boxes, picture frames, greeting cards, recipe books and many, many more. Through the things I make, I express myself, my understanding of beauty and aesthetics and how I see and feel the world as a whole. I love to create products that can really “touch” people. The best prize for my work is the kind words and even the tears of joy of my satisfied clients!

Desi’s art creations

Desi’s shop To all who hesitate and fear to take the risk of doing something on your own, I would say only – “IT’S WORTH IT”. When you do what you love, you do not work, you are living it… and success is imminent! “Everything that is done, prepared, cared for, created, kissed, smiled, brought up with love is destined to succeed in time.” Kim Reiki. Entrepreneur: Denislava Yankova - Kastadinova Business Name: Dream Deco Studio Business field: home décor Founding date: 2015 Location: Sandanski, Bulgaria Visit: https://m.facebook.com/DreamDe coBg/?locale2=bg_BG

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NEWSLETTER 04 /April 2018/

The Last Page

Actually, we hope that this is not the last page of the project FREE. We are keen to continue our fruitful collaboration within the partnership and with all of you who followed and inspired us for almost 3 years!

Thank you and see you in the future!

Contact Details: The Directorate of Labour, IS Phone: +354 51 558 00 asdis.gudmundsdottir@vmst.is web: www.vinnumalastofnun.is

BICC – Sandansk, BG Phone: +359 746 30549 e-mail: office@bicc-sandanski.org web: www.bicc-sandanski.org

Icelandic Regional Development Institute, IS Phone: +354 455 5400 e-mail: postur@byggdastofnun.is web: www.byggdastofnun.is

Inova Consultancy ltd., UK Phone: +44 (0)114 279 9091 e-mail: office@inovaconsult.com web: www.inovaconsult.com

CESI, CR Phone: +385 1 2422 800 e-mail: cesi@cesi.hr, web: www.cesi.hr

Kaunas STP, LT Phone: +370 37 33 30 36 e-mail: info@kaunomtp.lt web: www.kaunomtp.lt

Project website www.ruralwomeninbusiness.eu You can also reach & follow us on: /femaleruralenterpriseempowerment

/FREE_EU_project

/groups/8465963

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