UPCOMING EVENTS
WEP at the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
19 MARCH 2025
19 MARCH 2025
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Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) will host a dynamic session marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). This event will focus on the critical role of STEM in advancing women's economic empowerment, particularly in expanding access to finance and fostering innovation. The discussion will explore key questions on how STEM can drive financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs, the role of innovation in breaking barriers to funding and leadership, and strategies to ensure women-led businesses thrive in the digital economy.
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PAST EVENTS
Webinar on Unlocking opportunities throught Microfinance for Women Entrepreneurs
18 FEBRUARY 2025
The Women Entrepreneurship Platform in collaboration with the European Microfinance Network (EMN), hosted an insightful webinar on Unlocking Opportunities thoutgh Microfinance, which explored how microfinance can serve as a powerful tool for women entrepreneurs, enabling financial independence and providing access to essential capital for business growth. The event featured expert speakers Olivia Van den Bogaert (Microstart, Belgium) and Karla Estrada (Nantik Lum, Spain), who shared their expertise on the role of microfinance in fostering economic empowerment. Attendees gained valuable insights into financing options, best practices, and strategies to navigate the microfinance landscape. You can access the recording of this webinar on this link.
18 FEBRUARY 2025
The Women Entrepreneurship Platform in collaboration with the European Microfinance Network (EMN), hosted an insightful webinar on Unlocking Opportunities thoutgh Microfinance, which explored how microfinance can serve as a powerful tool for women entrepreneurs, enabling financial independence and providing access to essential capital for business growth. The event featured expert speakers Olivia Van den Bogaert (Microstart, Belgium) and Karla Estrada (Nantik Lum, Spain), who shared their expertise on the role of microfinance in fostering economic empowerment. Attendees gained valuable insights into financing options, best practices, and strategies to navigate the microfinance landscape. You can access the recording of this webinar on this link.
Participation in the Erasmus + Junior Action Project FEM ROM Youth Action
JUNE 2022 - 2023
in support of Roma women and youth post Covid-19. Large participation among board members to organize in meetings in Greece, Sweden, as well as in Belgium and Italy. Under June 2022, the Focus groups were comprised of ROMA women leaders and regional/local officials in 5 different countries.
"Women Farmers & Rural Women Entrepreneurs – Potential to fully participate in the Green Deal" - Online Event on Kudo
14 MARCH 2022
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Copa Cogeca and Women Entrepreneurship Platform co-organised the online event "Women Farmers & Rural Women Entrepreneurs – Potential to fully participate in the Green Deal".
The purpose of this event was to raise the profile on the problem of the actual and potential capability for women farmers and rural women entrepreneurs to contribute to the Green Deal. Political initiatives, such as the Green Deal, the European Climate Law, and the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies, pave the way for the EU’s ambition to become climate resilient by 2050. |
The participation of women on the Green Deal: "Opportunity for an exonomic emancipation"
9 DECEMBER 2021
On the 9th of December 2021 the online event “The participation of women to the Green Deal: Opportunity for an economic emancipation” took place. The event was organized by WEP and it was part of the Conference of the Future of Europe.
The aim of the event was to present in Italy the results obtained through the WISE4AllChallenges project on green and rural issues. The topic was the empowerment of rural women and women entrepreneurs in agriculture. Members of WEP (Grazia Rendo - Vice President of WEP, @Charlene Lambert -Treasurer of WEP, @Sara Montersino - WEP) presented its intent to increase and strengthen women's participation and involvement in European policy-making, to integrate women's needs into European policies (environment, social policies, health, education and digital) in an interdisciplinary way and to enable WISE4All partners to participate in the Future of Europe Conference.
You may also find a Video summary of the Wise4challenges project - EU Parliament 2021 here
9 DECEMBER 2021
On the 9th of December 2021 the online event “The participation of women to the Green Deal: Opportunity for an economic emancipation” took place. The event was organized by WEP and it was part of the Conference of the Future of Europe.
The aim of the event was to present in Italy the results obtained through the WISE4AllChallenges project on green and rural issues. The topic was the empowerment of rural women and women entrepreneurs in agriculture. Members of WEP (Grazia Rendo - Vice President of WEP, @Charlene Lambert -Treasurer of WEP, @Sara Montersino - WEP) presented its intent to increase and strengthen women's participation and involvement in European policy-making, to integrate women's needs into European policies (environment, social policies, health, education and digital) in an interdisciplinary way and to enable WISE4All partners to participate in the Future of Europe Conference.
You may also find a Video summary of the Wise4challenges project - EU Parliament 2021 here
Gender based violence: How Can Europe Do More To Help Women Achieve Financial Independence & Economic Empowerment
1 DECEMBER 2020
The impact Covid-19 crisis on women increases vulnerability. The fight against gender-based violence is more important than ever. WEP believe in a labour market which fair to women, where it is easy for women to start a business as it is for a men. Did you miss our Webinar ? Watch it again here:
WEP participates in WEGate Summit 2020
DECEMBER 2020
WEGate is the European Gateway for Women’s entrepreneurship e-platform, launched by the European Commission to create a community of successful entrepreneurial women across Europe & beyond. WEP became a member of the WEGate Community Council in summer 2020. WEP was proud to be part of the WEGate SUMMIT 2020 - an online day of inspiring stories, shared ideas, experiences and networking.
WEP participates in campaign '16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence'
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020
WEP participated in Facebook EUs global virtual campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. WEPs webinar How Can Europe Do More To Help Women Achieve Financial Independence & Economic Empowerment can be viewed here.
The United Nations grants consultative status to the Women Entrepreneurship Platform 🎉
SEPTEMBER 2019
WEP was granted consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in order to promote and work on the advancement of women entrepreneurship worldwide. ECOSOC is the central platform to advance the three dimensions of economic, social and environmental sustainable development. Through ECOSOC and the UN Secretariat, WEP participated and collaborated with UN organisations and agencies and the UN ecosystem worldwide, on topics related to women’s issues and entrepreneurship. This includes the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), and regarding all upcoming 2020 events related to the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on Gender Equality.
WEP attends UN WOMEN Beijing+25 Regional Review Meeting for the UNECE region in Geneva and discusses collaboration with International Trade Centre
30 OCTOBER 2019
On 30 October WEP was invited to participate to UN WOMEN Beijing+25 Regional Review Meeting for the UNECE region in Geneva. We had the opportunity to review the Beijing+25 Platform and prepare for the Bejing+25 celebrations in 2020, as well as discuss how to implement new actions to move on according to 2030 Agenda. We had the opportunity to discuss key trends on gender equality, effective economic and social policies and education tools in the region. Our WEP board members also had the opportunity to meet Vanessa Erogdobo from International Trade Centre, an agency of the United-Nations. The meeting, which took place at the ITC headquarters, aimed at discussing our collaboration.
WEP supports member COPA-COGECA at the European Parliament
and encourages female education in agriculture
15 OCTOBER 2019
On 15 October, our board member Diana Filip (JA Europe) moderated our member COPA-COGECA's event on female education in agriculture at the European Parliament.
"It’s been an honour to moderate the COPA-COGECA event on "Women's agriculture education - a fundamental stage to ensure gender equality and generation renewal in agriculture" and listen to experts from across Europe, from the university professors, to farmers and Ministry representatives and MEPs. We have a lot to do in this field to fight against gender stereotypes, educate and empower young women. As MEP Isabel Carvalhais said, being a farmer is as noble as being a writer or doctor!"
-- Diana Filip, WEP board member and JA Europe Deputy CEO
WEP meets UN WOMEN
2 OCTOBER 2019
UN Women received our Vice-Chairwoman Isabel Raventos and Secretary General Charlene Lambert at their offices in Brussels to discuss our future joint collaboration. Indeed, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform was recently granted consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in order to promote and work on the advancement of women entrepreneurship worldwide.
WEP reflects on female entrepreneurship with the Dutch Women’s Council
at the Dutch Parliament media centre
SEPTEMBER 2019
September in The Netherlands is a time of both cooling down (in temperatures), and heating up (in activity). At the occasion of Princes' Day, every year the Dutch Women's Council holds its own 'Princesses Day' to reflect on important topics facing women in the Netherlands. On 9 September, our Secretary-General Charlene Lambert attended the event at the Dutch Parliament media centre, where the chosen subject on the agenda was female entrepreneurship. Dutch government officials were present among the audience to take part in the conference and Q&As, to make the cause go forward. Issues regarding pensions, sick leave, and social programs for women entrepreneurs were high on the agenda.
Boosting women entrepreneurship in Europe alongside new partner Airbnb
10 APRIL 2019
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Airbnb and WEP organised a joint cocktail lunch to celebrate the newly created collaboration in view of boosting female entrepreneurship in Europe, welcoming MEP Claudia Tapardel as main host. Together, WEP and Airbnb hope to organise multiple workshops across Europe to share resources and toolkits to better support female entrepreneurs who are interested in using the Airbnb platform to start or grow their businesses. We had the honour of having MEP Claudia Tapardel as the main supporter of the event, a long defender of women entrepreneurship. This comes as Airbnb and WEP commit to working together to empower and connect more women entrepreneurs via our new partnership. |
Inclusive Female Entrepreneurship & Impact on Job Creation: A policy briefing alongside partner Seldia
23 JANUARY 2019
Alongside partner Seldia, WEP organised a high-level policy briefing on "Inclusive Female Entrepreneurship & the Impact on Job Creation", which was held in a lunch format at the European Parliament. The event explored the components of entrepreneurship programs at EU-wide level and its regional policies and how policy can support inclusive entrepreneurship by connecting under-represented and disadvantaged groups with local business communities. Marlene Mizzi MEP kindly hosted the event - other speakers included Maria Gabriela Zoana MEP, Dana Adriana Puia Morel (DG Growth), Aslihan Tekin (KAGIDER/WEP), Emma Sneddon (Entrepreneur) and moderator Diana Filip (JA Europe). Read the full article and see the pictures here.
Work/Life Balance for All - Ensuring the Right Legal and Political Framework alongside partner Deloitte and the Brussels Binder
21 NOVEMBER 2018
WEP organised a lunch briefing on Work/Life Balance for all: Ensuring the right legal and political framework alongside partner Deloitte and the Brussels Binder at the European Parliament on 21st November 2018. The debate was the occasion to discuss benefits for female entrepreneurs and wider society. Speakers included Renate Weber MEP, Clare Moody MEP, Katarina Ivankovic-Knezevic (DG Employment), Emma Codd (Deloitte UK), Riikka-Maria Turkia (Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU) and moderator Mary Collins (European Women's Lobby).
Boosting skills across Europe - The Role of Lifelong Learning for Women Entrepreneurs
5 DECEMBER 2017
On December 5th, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform organised a high-level dinner briefing in the European Parliament hosted by Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, MEP. The dinner explored the role of lifelong learning for women entrepreneurs. Ms Corazza Bildt introduced the topic and its importance to promote social mobility and the particular role it plays for women entrepreneurs.
See pictures here.
WEConnect annual leadership conference
11/12 OCTOBER 2017
WEConnect annual leadership conference: promoting and connecting women-owned businesses on the 11th to 12th October in London. The two-day conference will provide a unique networking platform to foster connections between women entrepreneurs and multinational corporations. Alongside the main presentations and discussions, the event will offer exclusive networking opportunities with other women business owners as well as pre-arranged matchmaker meetings with corporate representatives from IBM, Accenture, MetLife and more. Read more here.
Amway briefing in European Parliament "Entrepreneurial skills in the changing world of work"
27 SEPTEMBER 2017
AmwayGlobal organised panel discussion on "Entrepreneurial skills in the changing world of work - Are entrepreneurial skills the key to surviving digitalisation?". The event was hosted by MEP Marlene Mizzi, and had as speakers Kasia Jurczak, Deputy Head of Unit DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Imelda Vital, Government Affairs and Simone Felice, Research Fellow - CEPS. More info here.
Celebrating International Women's day with IGWE
7 MARCH 2017
We celebrated International Women's day together with the European Interest Group of Women Entrepreneurs in the European Parliament and its Chairwoman, Ms Sirpa Pietikäinen, talking about women, their role in the European economy as well as European support measures for women entrepreneurship and innovation. Thank you to our speakers, our sponsors Deloitte and Seldia and all those inspiring women that joined our debate! See pictures here...
Entrepreneurship/Intrapreneurship - Why Networking is Essential for Women to Develop and Grow their Business
8 JUNE 2017
WEP organised a breakfast debate entitled “Entrepreneurship/Intrapreneurship - why networking is essential for women to develop and grow their business” organized in collaboration with Deloitte France, at the European Parliament. Hosted by Ms Nathalie Griesbeck MEP (ALDE, FR) the event consisted of a debate about the importance of networking for women entrepreneurship. See pictures here.
WEP chairs conference on EU enlargement to the Western Balkans: What role for women entrepreneurs?
21 NOVEMBER 2016
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Ambassadors and diplomats, university professors, business professionals, and women entrepreneurs attended the lively panel discussion held on Monday, November 21, in The Hague’s Europe House. The event was organized by WEP in collaboration with the Directorate General for Neighbourhood Enlargement (DG NEAR), and with the support of the Women’s Business Initiative International (WBII). WEP Chairwoman Grazia Rendo was one of the panelists, while WEP Treasurer Charlene Lambert opened and chaired the session. Read more...
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