NYRDI – Get across exeptional circumstances by digital knowhow of female entrepreneurs

This project was built with a focus on the issues caused by the Covid-19 epidemic, which has brought challenges to business. The project is carried out by Turku University of Applied Sciences and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises in Southwest Finland. The main objective of the project is to stave off the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business of over 50-year-old female entrepreneurs by encouraging and training them to experiment and utilize the latest digital solutions and tools. This is achieved through versatile education and networking. During the project, a female entrepreneur network is created, to support the learning of digital skills and encourage for quick experiments and community-oriented activities.

The project includes three trainings, which are almost similar in terms of content, but are carried out with different methods. Turku University of Applied Sciences is responsible for the trainings. These include a traditional expert-led training (WP2), a training according to the team learning model (WP3) and an expert-led training completely online (WP4). Altogether, 75 entrepreneurs will participate in the project.

During the project, cooperation between female entrepreneurs will increase, and establishing permanent networks and contacts is key. This is vital because many female entrepreneurs work alone without peer support.

During the project, a Business Club model will be developed to support the building of shared competence and networking (WP5). The model includes both physical and virtual networking. This model will continue to operate after the project.
As a result of the project, female entrepreneurs will gain new knowledge on digital business models, service design, using remote connections in customer work, remote sales and digital marketing. They will be encouraged to apply the issues learned in their own enterprises.

The Business Club model developed within the project will encourage and inspire female entrepreneurs for new experiments and cooperation between the entrepreneurs. This will yield the female entrepreneurs a versatile community.The project is carried out by Turku University of Applied Sciences and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises in Southwest Finland. Duration of the project: 1.2.2021-31.05.2023.