She Creates Change Presented at Women-Focused Events in Krapina-Zagorje County
She Creates Change Presented at Women-Focused Events in Krapina-Zagorje County
Two events dedicated to empowering women in business and entrepreneurship were held in Krapina-Zagorje County on March 11, offering an opportunity to introduce the She Creates Change project and its Women for Impact programme to a relevant target audience. The project is implemented by ERKON in collaboration with the Entrepreneurial Centre of Krapina-Zagorje County, under the EIT Urban Mobility initiative.
The day began with “A Story That Stays With You”, a workshop led by communication expert Ana Labaš that focused on the importance of storytelling in a business context. She demonstrated how clear and authentic communication helps present ideas and projects effectively. According to Ana:
“We live in a time where everything imaginable exists, and it has never been more challenging to be innovative and create something no one has done before. (…) All we need to do is start sharing stories, our own and others’, stories we have gathered through life and business experience. Because our stories, and the way we tell them, are something that no one can copy, even in the most saturated markets.”
At its core, the Women for Impact programme is about sharing stories and lived experiences. Therefore, the workshop was followed by an interactive session led by the ERKON team: Petra Pribanić, Neven Zenko, and Stephanie Pojatina Horvat. Participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and reflect on the challenges they face as women in their professional environments. By sharing their insights on barriers to initiating change, educational needs, and the importance of professional connections and partnerships, participants provided valuable input for the design of the Women for Impact activities.
Among the most frequently mentioned obstacles to taking initiative were fear of failure, environmental influences, lack of confidence in one’s own knowledge, limited opportunities, and concerns about being judged. When asked about connections and partnerships that could help drive change, participants highlighted the value of engaging with people who think outside the box, building connections within the same industry, learning from younger entrepreneurs with experience, and, more broadly, strengthening networks among women.
It is precisely because of such challenges that projects like She Creates Change exist; to break down obstacles, empower women, and encourage them to take more active roles in creating change.
The second event, with the same objectives, took place in Sveti Križ Začretje, where another workshop was held for members of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Club.It was notable how almost the same challenges reappeared, such as fear of failure, environmental influence, and the low number of women in leading positions.
The She Creates Change project is implemented in Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, offering participants opportunities to develop new knowledge, strengthen self-confidence, and connect with mentors and experts across fields through a range of activities.
The goal is to empower girls and women to develop urban planning and mobility, digital skills, innovation, and leadership, while encouraging their more active participation in urban planning and mobility, technology, entrepreneurship, and decision-making.
The Women for Impact programme is designed for women aged 20 and above from the mentioned countries, regardless of their professional background. The programme lasts three weeks and includes educational activities, teamwork, and networking, aiming to strengthen participants’ professional and entrepreneurial competencies.
Each programme cycle begins with a five-day bootcamp in Croatia. The first begins on September 14 in Lovran, and the second on October 5 in Tuheljske Toplice. Each cycle will include 20 participants, and the programme is free.
