Wominnovation

Wominnovation – a Business Network for Woman and Innovation in Kosovo - is a part of Innovation Centre Kosovo, and its aim is to increase female entrepreneurships in Kosovo. “Wominnovation offers the know-how, network and inspiration to empower women to succeed in business”.

This week, Wominnovation was launched in Kosovo, by the Norwegian management group named Athene Project Management. Wominnovation will be run and managed in close cooperation with Innovation Centre Kosovo, also funded by the Norwegian Government. Wominnovation’s local partners and representatives were at the launch, along with representatives from the Norwegian embassy.

Hilde Seljom. Photo: Armend Nimani and Visar Kryeziu/Owner: Athene Project Management

Project manager Hilde Seljom, from Athene Project Management, explained and shared the vision, the plan and the concept of Wominnovation. She said that Wominnovation will help the businesswomen to see the need of the businesses, advice them on how to build the concept and how to reach its full capacity. “Women often think differently and will with this need different help than men”, Ms. Seljom said, stating why they have decided to start a network for businesswomen. They are hoping that Wominnovation will “aim to increase women start-ups, growth ambitions in women and inspire more women to become business leaders”.

The network also connects different entrepreneurs and businesses in a match making program. The website, www.wominnovation.org, will be their networking and meeting place. This is to help and inspire the women to innovate and expand their businesses. The Norwegian concept Kvinnovasjon has been a great success in Norway and the overall goal is that the concept will contribute to create many new companies owned and run by women in Kosovo, too.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is financially supporting the establishment of Wominnovation and Innovation Centre Kosovo through Athene Project Management AS. Deputy Head of Mission, Councellor Jon Hansen, participated at the launch. “ The potential of women entrepeneurs is far from fully utilized in Kosovo”, he said. “Professional support and a network of women working together to create businesses and jobs for and by women is something that is strongly needed in Kosovo. Based on years of success in Norway, Athene is now bringing a well- tested concept to the Western Balkans for the first time. We in the Norwegian Embassy in Prishtina are glad that Kosovo is the first place in the region where this will be implemented. We have very high expectations to this project”

Wominnovation also offers a step by step guide on how to start a business in Kosovo. Inspired? Have a look at www.wominnovation.org and their page on Facebook.

Hilde Seljom is showing the website to Jon Hansen. Photo: Embassy

Photo: Armend Nimani, Visar Kryeziu/Owner:Athene Project Management

07.10.2011

Source: Thea Bakke Husom | Share on your network |

Wominnovation

Royal Norwegian Embassy in Prishtina