EISMEA Highlights Real Stories and Concrete Actions to Support Women Entrepreneurs Across Europe

The Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Conference, held on 5 March 2026 in Brussels, brought together around 70 policymakers, experts and entrepreneurs to discuss the realities faced by women who start and grow businesses in Europe. The event marked a key milestone for the Supporting Women Entrepreneurs project, carried out by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the European Commission under the Single Market Programme.

Real stories grounded in real evidence

The conference opened with an overview of new data covering more than a decade of trends in women’s entrepreneurship. While progress has been made, women still face significant challenges, including unequal access to finance, limited networks and persistent structural barriers such as care responsibilities.

These findings were illustrated through exchanges with women entrepreneurs, part of the project’s role model campaign. They shared authentic stories of navigating male‑dominated fields, securing funding, balancing obligations and developing sustainable businesses. Their experiences brought the data to life and highlighted the need for practical support.

Shaping recommendations together

Participants took part in collaborative sessions to refine the project’s recommendations. Discussions centred on improving access to finance, strengthening networks, expanding entrepreneurial learning and making support systems more accessible. The insights collected will be incorporated into the project’s final policy recommendations.

EISMEA’s central role in supporting women entrepreneurs

This project moves toward its final phase, reaffirming its commitment to practical, inclusive and evidence‑based action - ensuring that women across Europe can fully realise their entrepreneurial ambitions.

The project complements a broader portfolio of EISMEA initiatives designed to empower women entrepreneurs across Europe. These include programmes that encourage girls and women in ESTEAM fields, dedicated networking groups, cross‑border entrepreneurship exchanges, tailored learning modules on the EU Academy, and initiatives addressing the gender investment gap.

EISMEA also supports women‑led innovative startups through dedicated programmes and shines a light on women innovators through EU‑level visibility initiatives.

Readers interested in learning more about the initiative can visit the official Supporting Women Entrepreneurs project website.