Discover the achievements of the 2014-2020 NPA projects

Seven years of cooperation between people, communities, and organisations across thousands of kilometres made a difference in the Northern Periphery and Arctic regions.

Browse the NPA map of results to discover our stories of cooperation. Pick a dot from the map and scroll down to read  about people who have met similar minded colleagues and together found solutions for their shared challenges.

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New opportunities for women entrepreneurs

Peer-to-peer support provides inspiration, support, and connections

Did you know that the most cited reasons why women in Jokkmokk region chose to become an entrepreneur / start a business were to be able to continue one´s passion or interest, to be independent and to be able to stay, live and continue working in the community? In a region where male-dominated industries such as reindeer herding and Saami craft are present, women entrepreneurs feel not taken seriously and experience difficulties getting into business networks. W-POWER project organized transnational learning, mentoring and support activities for women entrepreneurs in rural areas as a way to sustain these communities and grow the local economy. One of such activities was Peer-to-Peer networking programme connecting similar business-oriented women entrepreneurs from 2 different countries for a period of time. The women felt that this collaboration gave them ideas for new product development, new visions for their entrepreneurship, and they had also learned new skills from each other, e.g. using social media as a service platform. When chatting with other similar-minded entrepreneurs, these women highly appreciated the connections they made and the support, feedback and inspiration that they shared with each other.

Photo credit: Essense of Lapland, Eva Gunnare

 

Eva Gunnare

Essense of Lapland

I have truly loved being a part of the W-power project! I have meet other fantastic female entrepreneurs who have inspired me, been supportive and where every question I have had, have been taken seriously and answered with great knowledge. I have felt that the leaders has listened to my requests about what fields I need support and better understanding. There is a special atmosphere where only women meet, and the project has given me strength and joy to continue and be a better entrepreneur!