Dissemination

On 13 May 2026, Viva Femina, in cooperation with the Rodzic w Mieście Foundation, organized the EXCEL Connect networking event in Rzeszów.

The aim of EXCEL CONNECT is to provide women entrepreneurs involved in the project with increased networking opportunities. The event provided the perfect chance to find out about the project's results, take part in training sessions, and network with other women entrepreneurs, mentors, and stakeholders in the financial skills development and ESG-oriented business growth sectors. This initiative directly transfers knowledge from the business world to the VET setting, providing women learners who participated in professionalizing training pilots with access to business contacts, practical experience, and advice.

Magdalena Malinowska, Vice-president of Viva Femina, presented the EXCEL project activities and results, as well as the Erasmus+ programme.

After that, PhD Magdalena Wiercioch from Rzeszow University talked about budgeting and financial planning. She gave the participants some practical exercises on financial planning. Kateryna Tokarska, a mental coach, provided insight into financial awareness, courage and the right mindset for success.

On 8 June 2026, the EXCEL project brought together 26 women entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, trainers, mentors and business support professionals at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria for a day dedicated to smart finance, sustainable business and meaningful connections.

Under the theme "Mulheres que transformam: finanças inteligentes e negócios sustentáveis", participants explored advanced financial skills, ESG and sustainability, entrepreneurship, access to finance and digital innovation through expert input, interactive workshops and peer exchange.

A key highlight was the session on advanced finance and sustainable business growth, delivered by Katiuska da Cruz, Professor at the Polytechnic and representative of the National Agency for Innovation (ANI) Entrepreneurship Support. Speed networking and mentoring sessions then turned knowledge into connections, with participants sharing experiences, practical advice and professional contacts.

The results were positive as participants considered the event highly relevant, while many declared increased confidence, motivation and awareness of ESG and sustainability.

The event demonstrated the power of bringing women together to learn, connect and support each other in building stronger and more sustainable businesses.

The two workshops took place in the premises of PLATAFORMA INTERCULTURAL DE ESPAÑA (Intercultural Platform of Spain) located in Valencia.

The first workshop took place on 7 July, with 14 participants. The second workshop took place on 28 July, with 8 participants.

The selected participants and stakeholder profiles were aligned with the objectives of the EXCEL project, particularly in the areas of financial literacy, ESG and sustainability, entrepreneurship, women's entrepreneurship, business development, networking and mentoring. The event aimed to foster meaningful exchanges and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs, educators, innovators, sustainability practitioners and business support organisations, creating opportunities for collaboration and the exchange of experiences and good practices.

Of the 22 participants, 13 were women and 9 were men. Many of them were migrants, mainly from Latin America, which is why they face cultural obstacles due to their background, although language is not a problem for them because everyone speaks Spanish. A few of them also faced geographical challenges related to access to entrepreneurship support services and networking opportunities.

The workshops had the goal to introduce the participants to the project and its outcomes and lay foundations for further exploitation of the project results. Most of the participants were working or in close contact with women entrepreneurs, migrants and refugees, and the civil society.

The workshops were conducted by Fernando Benavente (manager of IFESCOOP) and Eduardo Bejar (president of Intercultural Platform of Spain) and were very dynamic, with strong interaction between facilitators and participants. There is a follow-up interest in the project and its outcomes for future cooperation and exploitation of the results by women organisations, migrants and refugees organisations, training and educational institutions, NGOs and above all by public administrations.

On 2 June 2026, the EXCEL CONNECT Network Day - Austria Edition was celebrated at NEXUS - Kärntner Sparkasse on the Campus of University of Klagenfurt, bringing together 29 participants from Carinthia's entrepreneurship, education, finance, sustainability and innovation ecosystem.

The event featured two inspiring keynote speakers: Mag.a Daniela Stein, Founder and Managing Director of Business Frauen Center, explored the power of networks, mutual support and resilience in "The Invisible Force: What Truly Unites Successful Female Entrepreneurs." Mag.a Yvonne Schmid-Berger, Founder, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of 5-minute.at, shared insights on leadership and visibility in "Female Leadership: Why Visibility Is Your Game-Changer."

Participants included women entrepreneurs, aspiring founders, startup representatives, mentors, business coaches, adult education trainers, higher education representatives, NGO professionals, sustainability practitioners and financial advisors. The diverse group also included participants with international and migrant backgrounds as well as women from rural areas of Carinthia.

The event was supported by META4's regional network, including Business Frauen Center, Startup Carinthia, aspire! Center of Entrepreneurship at the University of Klagenfurt, build! Gründerzentrum, Carinthian Chamber of Commerce, Kärntner Sparkasse, WOW Wunderwelten, Permakultur Peintnerhof and 5-minute.at.

A highly interactive workshop on Gender Parity and Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Carinthia invited participants to work in small groups, identify challenges, develop practical solutions and create prototype ideas. The day concluded with networking, providing space for new connections, exchange and potential collaborations.

EXCEL CONNECT demonstrated what becomes possible when diverse people come together to shape a more inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in Carinthia.

The EXCEL Networking Event, organized by the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI), aimed to promote women's entrepreneurship, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and showcase the project's educational resources. Preparations included the development of project presentations, an interactive workshop, and the provision of all necessary materials and logistical support.

Participants were recruited through social media, website announcements, press releases, direct outreach, and the Chamber's extensive network. The event brought together women entrepreneurs, VET providers, trainers, mentors, business consultants, and representatives of organizations such as Women Do Business, European Progress VET Center, Ploigos Educational & Development Agency, and OLOKLIROSI VET Center.

Held on 10 June 2025 at H2B HUB, Heraklion, the event welcomed 28 participants, including aspiring and early-stage women entrepreneurs, trainers, stakeholders, and HCCI staff. Around half of the women entrepreneurs faced cultural, social, or geographical barriers. Through presentations, discussions, and networking activities, participants exchanged experiences, explored the EXCEL educational materials, and identified opportunities for future cooperation and knowledge sharing.