The results from the joint study on women entrepreneurs digital and circular skills needs and gaps are already available!

WE.Circular project partners launched a new Transnational Skills Gaps and Needs Analysis. It synthesizes the current state of women entrepreneurs in twelve countries in the Danube region and their specific needs for circular and digital transitions.

The countries included are Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.  The data for Germany is specific to the region of Baden-Württemberg and does not represent the entire country.

Primary motivations for women entrepreneurs from the Danube region to implement circular economy principles into their businesses include expected improvements in operational efficiency and quality, which suggests that many women entrepreneurs view circular technologies as a means to enhance their business processes. Securing a competitive advantage is another significant driver, indicating that entrepreneurs believe adopting circular practices can provide them with a market edge. Pressure from clients and suppliers to modernize also plays a role, highlighting the external influences encouraging businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.

Main barriers to adopting more advanced digital technologies among women entrepreneurs in the Danube region are high investment costs, which suggests that the financial burden of acquiring and implementing new technologies is a major deterrent. This is followed by a lack of skills and knowledge on how to effectively implement these technologies, indicating a need for more educational resources and training programs.

Women entrepreneurs note the lack of access to networks and mentoring that could provide the necessary guidance, support, and opportunities for collaboration in the tech-driven sectors as important barrier as well.

Limited access to technology and infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, hinders women’s ability to compete effectively in the digital economy. Social norms that view women as primary caregivers reduce the time available for business development and learning, further disadvantaging them in the entrepreneurial landscape. The digital transition is hindered by the need for advanced digital skills among team members and challenges in balancing work-life commitments, which affects participation in ongoing education and training.

The most important topics for women entrepreneurs are outlines in the Analysis. Among them are funding opportunities for transitioning to a circular economy, application of circular economy tools and measures in specific industries, utilization of digital technologies for transitioning to a CE , resource optimization (time, personnel, investments) , digital marketing and development of digital business models and services , use of digital technologies and the Internet for business needs, cybersecurity.

Key recommendations could be group as follows:

1)     Acquiring/ improving skills – development of specialized training programs; prioritize skill development and management training in sectors like agriculture, food, textile and fashion, construction, and energy, where circular economy practices can be most impactful; promote examples of successful women entrepreneurs to inspire and motivate others. Implement awards and recognition programs to boost visibility and motivation.

2)     Providing of business support - enhance networking and mentorship; introduce targeted financial mechanisms like grants, preferential loans, and microcredits to help women invest in new technologies and circular business models; ensure that women entrepreneurs have the necessary digital tools and high-speed internet to participate fully in the digital economy.

3)     Policy improvement - promote inclusive policies; encourage policies and workplace practices that support flexible work arrangements, helping women balance professional and personal responsibilities; encourage government and private sector collaboration; Increase efforts to spread awareness of circular economy benefits, provide accessible education, and ensure that resources are available to help women entrepreneurs seize new opportunities. Promoting sustainability as a key business topic to ensure broader acceptance and the need for specialized software to manage sustainability data efficiently.

Read more about the Transnational Skills Gaps and Needs Analysis and get insights from 12 countries analysis in the Library section.