Women Entrepreneurs Forum
26 November 2020

TEBD Women Entrepreneurs Forum

With an aim to discuss and promote a constructive dialogue between Women Entrepreneurs from Turkey and the EU while allowing participants to build their networks, as well as polish their skills and expand their knowledge, the TEBD Women Entrepreneurs Forum was organized online on 23-24-25 November 2020. The Forum was organized by the TEBD Project, which is implemented by EUROCHAMBRES in close cooperation with TOBB, in collaboration with the EUROCHAMBRES Women Entrepreneurs Network and the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council.

The TEBD Women Entrepreneurs Forum was made up of an introductory session, and four engaging and interactive thematic sessions with high-level speakers.

  • Session 1: Women Entrepreneur Support Programmes in Turkey and EU
  • Session 2: Private and Public Sources of Funding in Turkey and EU
  • Session 3: Learning by Doing: Inspiring Practices of Women Entrepreneurs
  • Session 4: Roles and Activities of EU and Turkish Chambers in Women Entrepreneurship

The importance of networking, not only between women entrepreneurs, but also with organizations, institutions, banks, or governments has been highlighted during the entire Forum. Building a solid structure at local, regional, and national level through Committees or Councils is very important for the progress of this target sector.

As the main challenges to be improved, conciliation of personal and professional lives of women was raised as the first stage. Secondly, the need of building a strong financial system to support women entrepreneurs and increase the leadership women positions in Business. Finally, Women Entrepreneurs may have a significant influence strengthening Turkish and European business relations and improve consequently the women power in all aspects.

The Forum recorded close to 900 registrations. Over 500 participants joined the Opening session and between 250 and 400 participants attended each thematic session. The Forum was also attended via Live Streaming, being viewed over 3,200 times through different channels, such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. There were 39 high-level speakers, among others Mr M. Rifat HİSARCIKLIOĞLU, TOBB President and Vice President of EUROCHAMBRES; Ms Martha SCHULTZ, EUROCHAMBRES Women Entrepreneurs Network President; Mr Ben BUTTERS, EUROCHAMBRES CEO; Mr Bülent ÖZCAN, Directorate for EU Affairs, Directorate General for Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation; Ambassador Nikolaus MEYER-LANDRUT, Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey; Ambassador Mehmet Kemal BOZAY, Permanent Delegate of Turkey to the EU; and Ms Nurten ÖZTÜRK, TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council President.

Did you miss the event? You can watch all the sessions HERE.