Undoubtedly, the war became a challenge for all spheres of life. Women’s business is one of the first to feel its negative influence. How do women entrepreneurs work in Bukovyna?
More and more women’s business communities and hubs are appearing in Chernivtsi. They are a platform for obtaining the necessary business skills, setting up business contacts and incentive for career growth. One of them is the “Synergy” center. It conducts trainings that help women in self-realization. They teach financial literacy, tell how the financial “airbag” is formed, give grants for starting your own business. Even women of retirement or pre-retirement age, IDPs, and women in difficult life situations receive support. The women’s business club “Ladies Business Club” works similarly. Its members are 30 successful women, who initiated more than 120 business projects. The hub for the development of women’s entrepreneurship “U&We Hub” has started its work.
They conduct educational events on business topics, attract successful local entrepreneurs companies, experts from various fields for support and exchange of experience. All the events are free for women.
The war made adjustments. The projects are balanced: half are local women — half IDPs. Work with relocated businesses became a new direction for businesswomen. At the same time, there are stereotypes about IDP women in the region: it is not reasonable, because it is a short-term investment, for six— twelve months.
What are women’s startups? Two women over 60 opened their business: implemented the idea of raising chickens. There are women who have received equipment for cheese factories and started working. One woman opened a jewelry business. Other women launch sewing production. Such repairs are in demand because the purchasing power has fallen, and tailoring services are a niche to start with.
Internet sales are popular, where those who know how to work for certain target audiences are successful. Business ideas are generated based on the needs of residents of various communities. Already implemented, startups pay taxes to local budgets. The biggest difficulty is overcoming doubt. You need to believe in yourself and your capabilities, because sometimes everything works out. There will always be difficulties — you should not be afraid of them, but be able to deal with them.
The result of women’s business hubs should be the creation of successful entrepreneurs, financially independent, who strive for self-realization. And in general the development of women’s startups will slow down the impoverishment of the population as a result of the war, will contribute to poverty alleviation, increase the financial stability of the country as a whole. This is possible to achieve by initiating change at the local level.