The Baltic Sea Initiative for the Development of Business Activity of Refugee Women
BSI_4Women
Supporting Migrant Women’s Entrepreneurship: BSI_4Women National Workshop Highlights
17 December 2025
An event dedicated to supporting migrant and refugee women’s entrepreneurship was held as part of the BSI_4Women project, bringing together representatives of public institutions, project partners, experts, and women with migration experience.
An event dedicated to supporting migrant and refugee women’s entrepreneurship was held as part of the BSI_4Women project, bringing together representatives of public institutions, project partners, experts, and women with migration experience.
The meeting provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, discussion, and inspiration, highlighting practical solutions for fostering inclusive entrepreneurship and regional economic resilience.
Key Topics and Project Insights
Among the key topics discussed during the event was the integration process and incubation of business ideas for women with migration experience, including an introduction to the BSI_4Women project and its objectives. Participants were presented with the project’s approach to supporting migrant women through tailored incubation programs, mentoring, and capacity-building activities.
The event also showcased solutions and tools supporting migrant women’s entrepreneurship, based on the results achieved within the BSI_4Women project. Speakers emphasized the importance of creating accessible, inclusive support systems that respond to the specific needs and challenges faced by women with migration experience.
Another important point of discussion was the broader role of migrant women’s integration in the context of entrepreneurship. Participants highlighted how supporting women entrepreneurs contributes not only to individual empowerment but also to local economic development, innovation, and social cohesion.
Inspiring Entrepreneurial Stories
A particularly engaging part of the agenda was the session titled “My Path to My Own Business”, during which Ukrainian female entrepreneurs and participants of the BSI_4Women incubation program shared their personal journeys. These inspiring stories illustrated how determination, access to the right tools, and targeted support can help overcome barriers and turn business ideas into reality.
Panel Discussion: Strengthening Regional Economic Resilience.
The event featured a panel discussion focused on strengthening personal and professional development opportunities for refugee women as a way to increase regional economic resilience. The discussion brought together representatives of local institutions and organizations supporting migrants, who shared their perspectives and experiences in developing inclusive policies and initiatives.
Panel participants included a representative of the Regional Contact Point of the Interreg NEXT Poland–Ukraine Programme (Podkarpackie Municipal Office), Andrzej Burnat, Director of the Social Policy Department of the Rzeszów Municipal Office, and Agnieszka Skórzak-Bąk, Deputy Head of the Own Projects Department. The panel highlighted the importance of cross-sector cooperation, long-term support mechanisms, and locally adapted solutions to effectively support migrant women in entrepreneurship.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The event concluded with the presentation of key conclusions and recommendations emerging from the BSI_4Women pilot project. These findings underline the need for continued investment in tailored incubation programs, strong institutional cooperation, and policies that promote equal access to entrepreneurship support for migrant and refugee women.
The BSI_4Women project continues to demonstrate how targeted support and collaboration can empower women with migration experience, strengthen local economies, and build more resilient and inclusive regions.
Photos in the article: BSI_4Women National Workshop on 06.10.2025, in Rzeszów, Poland, © Rzeszow Regional Development Agency, 2025
Additional links
details
-
Homepage
-
Project typeCore Project
-
ImplementationJanuary 2023 - December 2025
-
StatusOngoing
-
Contribution to EUSBSRPolicy Area Innovation
-
Target groups
- Business support organisation
- Education/training centre and school
- Interest group
- Regional public authority
- Small and medium enterprise
-
Social media
-
Additional links
-
Tags