The EIT Community’s Red Kalyna Initiative receives a boost with the addition of a new partner – the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Ukraine. This collaboration aims to further empower and support Ukrainian female entrepreneurs who are driving innovation across various sectors.
Launched in 2023, the EIT Red Kalyna awards Ukrainian women innovators who have developed groundbreaking products, and solutions or transformed their businesses into innovative ones. Thanks to the engaged community the recognised finalists receive training, mentoring and networking as well as access to the EIT Community opportunities such as study visits.
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) helps businesses innovate and grow on an international scale. It is the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions. Through its Ukrainian chapter, EEN brings a network of Ukrainian chambers of commerce, regional development organisations, academia and research institutes and innovation agencies.
EEN Ukraine’s involvement brings a valuable network of business support services and international connections to the initiative. Female entrepreneurs selected by the Red Kalyna Initiative will now have access to:
“We are thrilled to welcome EEN Ukraine as a partner,” says Diana Berezhna, the project coordinator the EIT Red Kalyna Initiative. “Their expertise and network will be invaluable in supporting our awardees and amplifying their success stories.”
“The European Enterprise Network in Ukraine unites strong and reliable Ukrainian partners – Chambers of commerce, Research and development institutions, and consulting organizations for business growth, startup development, and the fast process of technology transfer. Since 2017, we have supported Ukrainian businesses with internationalization services, and in 2024 we can provide more attention to Ukrainian scientists, startups and Ukrainian Women entrepreneurs together with the EIT Red Kalyna Initiative, supporting the Awareness raising of the brand Made in Ukraine and presenting Ukrainian innovative potential abroad”, Olga Shubina, Coordinator of the EEN Ukraine consortium.
This strengthened partnership demonstrates the EIT Community’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and innovative ecosystem in Ukraine, specifically empowering women who are driving positive change.
More information:
EIT Red Kalyna is a programme by EIT Community Strategic Regional Innovations Cluster, coordinated by EIT Health InnoStars.
The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe. The EIT is an EU body and an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The Institute supports dynamic pan-European partnerships, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, among leading companies, research labs and universities. Together with their leading partners, the EIT Community offers a wide range of innovation and entrepreneurship activities across Europe: entrepreneurial education courses, business creation and acceleration services and innovation-driven research projects.
