“La Maison de la Femme Entrepreneure”, known as KEUR FESTIC, is a collaborative workspace where training sessions will be organised to strengthen women’s skills, develop their entrepreneurial potential and promote their economic and financial independence through ICT. KEUR FESTIC will be open to all women, regardless of their level of education, field of work or entrepreneurial ambition. Entrepreneurship and digital technology are powerful drivers of women’s empowerment and gender equality. However, women entrepreneurs are not yet making sufficient use of digital tools to develop their businesses. THE CONTEXT Unequal access to the internet: a huge digital divide remains between men and women. Few women undertake training in digital technologies, and the training available is very often ill-suited to the opportunities that actually exist in the market. A lack of role models. OUR OBJECTIVES To encourage women to make the most of ICT and to contribute effectively to the promotion and development of the digital economy. To encourage young women and girls to become not only active users, but also creators of digital content and tech entrepreneurs. Raise awareness and support women so that they can better understand the challenges of the digital sector. PROJECT COMPONENTS A modular training and meeting room with thirty seats. A shared workspace — open-plan office. A business lounge. ACTIVITIES KEUR FESTIC’s activities will centre primarily on training workshops, masterclasses, experience-sharing events and meet-ups, with the aim of strengthening women’s skills, developing their entrepreneurial potential and promoting their economic and financial independence through ICT. EXPECTED IMPACTS In the short and medium term: greater access for more women and girls to quality jobs, improved living conditions and increased incomes through ICT. Greater awareness and empowerment among women and girls in solving their own problems. In the long term: a sustainable improvement in the living conditions of women and girls, through higher incomes and access to decent jobs, facilitated by greater proficiency in digital tools.
Who it's for
- Women entrepreneurs and self-employed women.
- Female founders of tech start-ups.
- Women in senior management roles.
- The female students.
- Young female graduates looking for work.
- Digital enthusiasts.
- Women changing careers.
Selection criteria
- None: the Centre is open to all women.
- Whatever the level of education.
- Whatever the sector.
- Whatever the entrepreneurial ambition.
Who the facilitators are
- Women role models: female leaders
- female start-up founders
- digital experts.
- Trainers who are practising professionals in their field.
- Speakers ready for an AMA session
- where the questions come from the audience.
Facilitators' role
- To encourage women to make the most of ICT and contribute to the development of the digital economy.
- Encouraging young women and girls to become digital content creators and tech entrepreneurs
- and not just female users.
- To raise awareness amongst women and support them so that they can better understand the challenges of digital technology.
- To strengthen women’s skills and develop their entrepreneurial potential.
- To promote their economic and financial independence through ICT.
Facilitators' responsibilities
- To run workshops and masterclasses based on real market opportunities.
- Sharing an authentic journey
- challenges included — that’s what makes a model credible.
- Welcoming and guiding women who are new to digital technology
- no prior knowledge required.
Follow-up and evaluation
- View the workshop programme
- masterclasses and meet-ups.
- Register for your chosen session.
- Access the shared workspace and the business lounge.
- Join the community and take part in sessions where people share their experiences.
Expected outcomes
- Digital skills that can be directly applied to one’s work.
- Easier access to good-quality jobs and higher incomes.
- Greater awareness and an improved ability to solve one’s own problems through the use of ICT.
- The event showcasing female role models
- the lack of which is one of the identified obstacles.
- Being part of a community of women who support one another and work together.
- In the long term
- a lasting improvement in living standards through the effective use of digital tools.
Activity schedule
| Activity | Frequency | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Ateliers de formation aux outils numériques | Programmation régulière | Des compétences directement applicables à l’activité de chaque participante. |
| Master classes thématiques | Programmation régulière | Métiers du digital, e-commerce, cybersécurité et données personnelles, crowdfunding. |
| Événements de partage d’expériences | Programmation régulière | Rencontres entre femmes rôles modèles et fondatrices de startups — une réponse directe au manque de modèles. |
| Événements AMA (Ask Me Anything) | Programmation régulière | Des échanges ouverts sur l’edtech, les médias et l’e-santé, menés par les questions des participantes. |
| Meetups et mise en réseau | Programmation régulière | Une communauté de femmes qui se connaissent, se recommandent et travaillent ensemble. |
| Accueil quotidien dans l’espace de travail partagé | À l’ouverture de la Maison | Un lieu de travail équipé et un business lounge, accessibles à toutes les femmes. |
Roadmap
Masterclass — Careers in the digital sector
Masterclass
An overview of careers in the digital sector and the pathways leading to them, to show what is actually available on the job market.
Masterclass — E-commerce
Masterclass
Selling online: setting up a sales channel, processing payments, organising delivery and building customer loyalty.
Masterclass — Cybersecurity and Personal Data
Masterclass
Protecting your business and your customers’ data: common threats, security best practice and legal obligations.
Masterclass — Crowdfunding: an alternative form of financing
Masterclass
Crowdfunding as a means of accessing capital for female entrepreneurs: platforms, preparing a campaign, engaging a community.
Sharing experiences on women’s entrepreneurship
Dates
Meetings between female role models and female start-up founders. The lack of female role models is one of the barriers identified: these meetings directly address this issue.
AMA — Edtech supporting young people’s employability
AMA Event
‘Ask Me Anything’ event: participants ask the questions, and the speakers answer off the cuff.
AMA — The role of the media in promoting women’s entrepreneurship
AMA Event
An ‘Ask Me Anything’ event focusing on media visibility for women entrepreneurs and how to achieve it.
AMA — E-health: a solution to the health challenges facing women and children
AMA Event
‘Ask Me Anything’ event on digital solutions for maternal and child health.