Inspirational meeting for refugee women in Rzeszow, Poland

On March 25, 2025, the Rzeszów Regional Development Agency (RARR S.A.) organized a dedicated meeting for participants of the BSI_4Woman project – a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering women by supporting their entry into entrepreneurship and the social economy. The event was held at RARR’s headquarters at Szopena 51 in Rzeszów (Room 315), gathering women from across the region who are taking their first steps toward starting their own businesses or launching social enterprises.

The meeting began with a presentation on the goals, structure, and future activities of the BSI_4Woman incubation program, which provides targeted support to women interested in entrepreneurship. A project team member from RARR S.A. explained the individual and group support available within the initiative, including mentoring, training, and advisory services. The program aims to provide not only financial guidance but also to foster confidence and business skills among women who may be entering the entrepreneurial world for the first time.

This was followed by a live demonstration of the BSI_4Woman digital platform, a key tool developed to ensure continuous access to educational materials, contact with mentors, and updates on available support schemes. The platform will also facilitate networking between participants and stakeholders involved in women’s entrepreneurship in the Podkarpackie region.

One of the key highlights of the event was the session on non-repayable funding for launching a business, presented by a representative of the District Labour Office in Rzeszów. The speaker outlined the requirements, application process, and potential funding amounts available for women planning to open their own businesses, emphasizing the importance of well-prepared business plans and long-term vision.

Another important topic discussed was support for establishing social enterprises. A representative from the Rzeszów Social Economy Support Centre (operated by RARR S.A.) provided insight into how social entrepreneurship can combine business activity with social impact, particularly relevant for participants who are motivated by community-oriented goals.

Financial support in the form of loans was also addressed during the presentation by the Loan Fund representative from RARR S.A., who discussed the terms and benefits of soft loans for women-led startups, microbusinesses, and enterprises in their early growth stages.

In addition, a speaker from the Entrepreneurship Support Department at RARR S.A. presented opportunities related to startup incubation and pre-incubation funded by the European Union. This session provided information about how participants could take advantage of structured innovation ecosystems and business acceleration programs supported by EU funding mechanisms.

The final part of the meeting was devoted to the “Postaw na siebie” (Stand Up for Yourself) project, run by CDG Pro sp. z o.o., which supports professional and personal development. The project provides individual action plans, counseling, and group training designed to help women strengthen their competencies and take control of their career paths.

The BSI_4Woman meeting was not only an informative event, but also a space for dialogue, networking, and sharing experiences among women who are determined to transform their ideas into real business ventures. The event reflected the strong commitment of RARR S.A. and its partners to create a more inclusive, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment for women in the region.

Programme Manual Online

Choose