GRANDIS

Gender equality is not just about social justice, and uncapping the entrepreneurial potential of women is a powerful driver to boost the twin transition. Research shows that female-led initiatives are making headway towards sustainable development; that female entrepreneurs reach positive socio-economic results; and that climate action is not gender neutral. Merging female-driven approaches with the innovation potential of areas such as clean and green tech can be an important driver for growth.

The challenge for public authorities is how to design policy that can reduce the gender gap, address the need for more professionals in digital and green/clean tech fields, and support creation of vibrant and productive start-up and SME environments to foster the "twin transition".

The GRANDIS project aims to unlock the potential of female entrepreneurs and female-led SMEs in the twin-transition sectors of green and digital technologies, an area where they are currently underrepresented. By disseminating knowledge, developing gender-inclusive policies, and providing support to regional and national authorities, the project seeks to promote balanced and sustainable economic growth across European regions.

GRANDIS brings together 10 partners from across the European Union. All are committed to the project objective, bringing together different economic contexts and different policy experiences. GRANDIS creates a vibrant environment for exchange and learning ensuring active engagement of stakeholders in interregional and regional exchange activities.

The project starts with an analysis of the challenges and potential of women in twin transition entrepreneurial environments, before identifying existing policy solutions available in partners’ regions. Exchange focuses on a set of macro areas: mentoring and ambassadors, entrepreneurial and green skills, access to finance, entrepreneurial networks, work-life balance and social protection. GRANDIS partners analyse and assess public support schemes currently in place and use learning to design and monitor improvement paths.

Thanks to interregional learning and exchange, GRANDIS lays the basis for forward-looking policies in EU regions that encourage successful twin transitions pushed by female-driven SMEs.