World Monitor Magazine, №1/2020 WM_March 2020_FOR WEB (12.03.) | Page 34
EUROBAK award: HR
A series of regional conferences for
women in business “WECON”
(Women Entrepreneurship Conferences)
for 13 cities of Kazakhstan
Beneficiaries of the
Project: 800 businesswomen, representatives of business support organizations
and financial institutions, business development experts of 13 regions of
Kazakhstan, plus 3500 on line visitors at designated e-platform.
Amount invested: 80,000 euro
Number of employees
engaged in the Project:
EBRD SME Finance & Development Team, external subcontractor
Petropavlovsk, Pavlodar, Taraz, Kokshetau, Taldykorgan and
Kyzylorda.
The purpose of the project: support the development of
women's entrepreneurship in the regions of Kazakhstan.
Project tasks:
- motivation of women in business for new successes
- improving business skills and building a work-life balance
- familiarization with business support and financing
programs
- exchange of experience and development of cooperation
between the participants
- increase gender awareness
WECON conference is an innovative format of events aimed
at supporting women's entrepreneurship. The project was
initiated to develop the economic potential of women's
business in the regions of Kazakhstan. In 2018-2019 WECON
conferences were held in 13 cities: Karaganda, Kostanay,
Shymkent, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Aktobe, Atyrau, Aktau,
32
world monitor
Project implemented through:
- storytelling from women in business (failures and successes)
- panel discussion from representatives of business support
organizations and financial institutions
- networking session
- business workshops
- whatsapp chat for sharing experiences and cooperation of
participants
- public speaking sessions for the preparation of speakers
- open access videos from the conferences
- motivational articles in the media on women's entrepreneurship.
Access to skills development:
Women entrepreneurs of 13 regions of Kazakhstan received
updated business knowledge and skills.
Access to financing:
Direct dialogue of women entrepreneurs with the second-tier
bankers and microfinance organization in the regions in the
Q&A format. More than 70 requests for EBRD business advisory
received in the regions.
Access to best practices and networking:
Women inspired with 19 successful case studies of women
leaders in their region, and strengthened their business
networks total 800 people gathered in 13 cities of Kazakhstan
to create sustainable business ties and get recognition in the
respective business communities.