UNIDO: A Global Platform for the Development of Women‘s Entrepreneurship Monica Carco Senior Industrial Development Officer Second Eurasian Women’s Forum 20 September 2018, St. Petersburg, Russia
UNIDO’s mandate to promote ISID In the Lima Declaration of 2013 , • Member States endorsed UNIDO’s ISID mandate Through improved integration • and scale up of services and assistance, UNIDO contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals ISID is confirmed in SDG 9 but • contributes to the Agenda 2030 as a whole
Rationale for women economic empowerment In 2018, the global women’s labour force participation rate is still 26.5% • below the rate of their male counterparts Lowest female established business ownership rate (in % of female • population aged 18 to 64): 3% = 1/3 the rate of men (GEM 2015-2016) Women continue to face a number of challenges in realizing their • economic potential: • Limited access to education and qualitative support structures • Limited access to capital and recruitment • Limited access to new and international markets • Work-life balance • Cultural barriers, stereotypes and preconceptions • Negative self-perception with regards to capacities and skills regarding communication, networking, consulting and decision making UNIDO Technical Paper, Promoting Women Empowerment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in the Middle East and North Africa region, 2017
Gender equality at the core of UNIDO’s ISID mandate UNIDO policies and strategies on gender equality and the empowerment of women: Effective gender mainstreaming within UNIDO and in its technical assistance Gender equality in any project activities where relevant with clear results-oriented framework and plan of action (recruitment, budget allocation, training, beneficiary targeting, indicators, expected results, etc.) Has set an example for similar initiatives, such as the development of UNIDO’s Youth Strategy
UNIDO’s integrated approach to women’s economic empowerment
Promoting women economic empowerment in the MENA region • Vocational training for Syrian refugees in Turkey • Business and technology skills in cooperation with HP Life in Tunisia • Entrepreneurs for Social Change in the Euro-Mediterranean basin • Moringa-based livelihoods for rural women in Ethiopia • Creative industries in rural communities in Madagascar • Women economic empowerment in the fishery sector, and improved • access to finance through mobile money in Mali Renewable energy based mini-grids for productive uses in the Gambia •
Action-oriented cooperation between UNIDO and the Russian Federation • 2017: Interregional Forum “Women’s Entrepreneurship – Challenges and Solutions in Europe and the Arab region” • 2018: International Forum “ Increasing the contribution of Global women to economic growth and prosperity: Creating an forum enabling environment” in cooperation with the OPORA Russia Committee on Women’s Entrepreneurship Development • Competitiveness of export-oriented garment Technical manufacturers in Armenia under joint brand “5900 BC” • Competitiveness of carpet-weaving and assistance embroidery/textiles industries in Tajikistan
Methodologies and tools Value chain approach (identification, assessment and development) Access to finance (revolving fund, credit guarantee scheme, mobile, peer-to-peer) Skills development (COMFAR, ECP, vocational training LKDF, Start and Grow, HP Life)
Promoting Women’s Empowerment PWE - for ISID in the MENA region (Phase 1) MENA Funded by the Government of Italy, and labelled by the UfM • National Counterparts: Ministries of Industry of the targeted countries and Women Business • Associations in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia Target Beneficiaries : Women’s Business Associations and women entrepreneurs (and aspiring • entrepreneurs) Duration: 39 months (Feb 2015 – May 2018) • Project Cost : EUR 1.4 M • Scope: Enhance women’s economic inclusion and • create the conditions for a sustainable and inclusive growth by harnessing the potential of women entrepreneurs.
PWE - Institutional and organizational framework MENA
PWE - Expected Outcomes MENA Public key actors initiate a reform process, based on an inclusive Macro dialogue with National Women Business Associations, to promote a level more conducive environment for women entrepreneurship The National Women’s Business Associations of the MENA Meso Region offer more efficient demand-driven services to support level women entrepreneurs in the region on a sustainable basis More sustainable women-led businesses are established or developed in Micro level the MENA region
Results from Phase 1 PWE - MENA Macro: Policy dialogue and knowledge • 8 regional conferences and round tables • Survey carried out on 1410 women entrepreneurs • Study on women entrepreneurship published in English, French and Arabic • Benchmarking analysis identifying replicable good practices Meso: capacities of business associations • 177 trained on COMFAR Lite, including 11 certified as trainers • Creation of the WEAM consortium • Technical tours, and participation in international/regional events facilitating B2B Micro: enterprise creation • 276 women assisted in business proposal formulation, and 170 projects promoted (40% in the Agro-Industry sector, 12% Handicrafts, 12% Services) • 550 B2B meetings organized for 120 MENA entrepreneurs during Milan Expo 2015 and MEDAWEEK 2017
PWE - Investment promotion MENA Transfer of UNIDO’s Investment Promotion Methodology for the identification and promotion of business opportunities +44% in provision of advisory services (incl. business plan formulation), +70% in facilitation of business linkages, promotion and networking, + 29% in membership (calculated on data provided by 4 associations 2015/2016)
PWE - Networks and partnerships MENA 6 partnerships concluded and 25 business negotiations initiated as a result of the B2B meetings held during Milan Expo (Milan 2015) and Barcelona MedaWeek 2017. In Palestine and Lebanon, 88% of women assisted in their negotiations with banks/MFIs/grant have succeeded in mobilizing funds.
Phase II at a glance PWE - MENA Joint program with FAO and UN Women • 3 years duration, with €15M • The business environment is more conducive for women participation in the economic life of their countries Financial barriers to women’s entrepreneurship are alleviated Expected Outcomes Women-led Micro- Small and Medium Enterprises are better integrated into the local, regional and international markets Women have increased the quality and quantity of their products/services in selected gender-sensitive value chains
The way forward Knowledge Technical Policy dialogue, creation and assistance (e.g. advocacy and management, online/offline networking resource pooling capacity building)
Thank you! m.carco@unido.org
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