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.

Content from Host maps.google.com has not been loaded as functional cookies with transatlantic data exchanges have not been enabled.

Privacy Settings Load Content Now

Use the +/- buttons in the top left corner of the map to zoom in/out or click on the regions to display the NPA project stories.

Back to list

Supporting local women-led SMEs

Expanding networks and expertise through transnational connections

What does it take to be a women entrepreneur in rural Shetland and Orkney? W-POWER project run a survey, that showed that the will to run their own business, to create a job in the community and to have joy in work are the main reasons why women in these remote islands chose to become entrepreneurs. Related to their distant location, the businesses are challenged by limited access to networks and markets, the lack of advisors and/or accountants, and higher travel costs. One of the many activities that the project organised was a business idea competition. The objective of it was to help SMEs to start or grow their business. Five business ideas were selected as winners, including Cheryl Jamieson from Glansin Glass and her marketing consultant Megan Burns. By joining the competition, especially the idea pitching part helped Cheryl improve her company's publicity and secure funding needed to finalize her business idea. This experience, and peer-to-peer programme were seen as the main opportunities for networking, mentoring, experience exchange, and support, needed to address the needs of female entrepreneurs.

Photo credit: W-POWER project

 

Cheryl Jamieson

Glansin Glass

W-Power has had a very positive impact on my business. I have had financial and business support and, through the Shetland Realise group, emotional support and friendship. W-Power has provided an unparalleled opportunity to engage with women in business in different countries, learn from them and form invaluable networks. Many self-employed women work alone and therefore it is even more important for them to have access to a wider network of likeminded people.