Project “Head of your own company – why not? Training, consulting and financial support for women setting up their own business.” under Measure 6.2 Support and promotion of entrepreneurship and self-employment, Human Capital Operational Program (HCOP).
Project implemented in the period from 04.01.2010 to 31.12.2012.
Aim of the project was setting up and running a business for at least 12 months from the day of starting business activity, by at least 30 women from the city of Gliwice and the Gliwice poviat who did not have a registered business activity in the period of 12 months before the date of joining the project.
During recruitment particular attention was paid to women
- Remaining without employment for at least 12 months within the last 24 months,
- Returning or entering the labor market for the first time after a break related to birth and bringing up of children
- Under 25 years of age,
- Over 45 years of age
- Who are disabled
- Living in rural and urban-rural communes.
42 women were admitted to the project by way of recruitment, having predispositions to run a business, including
- 14 unemployed women
- 14 unemployed women, not registered as unemployed, including women who are studying and entering the labor market for the first time
- 14 employed women
Women benefited from career counseling, as well as training support and consultancy before setting up a business. Within 40 hours of training and consultancy, project participants gained knowledge useful when running their own company in the field of:
- legal and accounting bases,
- creating a business plan,
- sources of business financing,
- marketing and advertising
- elements of psychology in entrepreneurship.
After completing the training and consultancy cycle, 32 best business plans were selected by way of a competition, and their authors set up their own business and received one-time amounts of non-returnable financial support, in line with the business plan’s needs, in the amount of up to PLN 40,000.00. The received funds could be used to purchase investment funds, current assets and for promotional activities.
In addition, project participants received funds to cover current fees related to their business for the period of 6 months. 15 owners, whose companies were still in a difficult financial situation after six months of operation, received support for another 6 months.
During the entire participation in the project, women were under the care of an individual advisor, and after setting up a business, each participant of the project had the opportunity to take advantage of 8 hours of business consulting.
The project was completed according to the schedule, and its assumptions were fully implemented.