Webinar #4 “Unlocking Opportunities: Microfinance 1.01 for Women Entrepreneurs”

Women entrepreneurs play a crucial role in fostering inclusive growth, innovation, and regional development throughout Europe. However, they face significant barriers in accessing finance, business support, and digital tools, particularly those operating as microenterprises. Microfinance can help bridge the financing gaps for early-stage and small-scale businesses that banks often overlook.

In Ireland, Microfinance Ireland offers unsecured loans of up to €50,000 to microenterprises. In Finland, Finnvera provides business loans for enterprises with 1 to 9 employees, aimed at complementing market finance and supporting growth. These organisations play a crucial role because access to finance remains a persistent barrier for women entrepreneurs, which can be decisive for launching, stabilising, and expanding businesses.

This webinar, organised by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and the European Microfinance Network (EMN), aims to explore how microfinance can empower women entrepreneurs in both countries. It is the fourth in a series focused on women entrepreneurship from a microfinance perspective.

Objectives

• Identify and discuss the specific challenges that women entrepreneurs face when accessing microfinance in Ireland and Finland.
• Explore tailored financial and non-financial services, including mentorship, training, and business development support.
• Inspire the replication of successful models that can be adapted to the unique contexts of Finland and Ireland.
• Connect women entrepreneurs with resources and institutions in the microfinance sector.

Speakers