In a unique collaboration between seven countries around the Baltic Sea, around 300 Ukrainian women have participated in the BSI_4Women business development program, an initiative funded by the EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme. Through individualized coaching and practical tools, the women have been strengthened in their ability to develop innovative business ideas.
Through the BSI_4Women project, hundreds of Ukrainian women have taken the first steps towards building their own businesses in their new home countries. With individual coaching, tools and business development, a platform for sustainable businesses and renewed confidence in the future is being created.
- "Helping these women to realize their business ideas, strengthen their entrepreneurship and at the same time build networks in new countries is incredibly meaningful," says Ann-Louise, project manager at Dalarna Science Park. "In Dalarna alone, we have gathered more than 30 women who have met and developed innovative business ideas.
Demo Day success for Sweden - Falun-based company wins first prize
During the Carpathian Startup Fest 2025 in Rzeszów, Poland, the final of the BSI_4Women Transnational Demo Day was held. Participants from each country pitched their business ideas to an international jury - and the first prize went to Sweden.
Alina Shynkar, based in Falun, won with REPPA, a sustainable rental system for power tools and machines. The service is based on the sharing economy and circular consumption where users easily pick up and drop off equipment in local shops.
- This is a great example of how sustainability and the sharing economy can be combined with strong entrepreneurship," says Jörgen Steen, business coach at Dalarna Science Park.
More voices and ideas from Dalarna
Several participants from Dalarna presented their strong business ideas during the Demo Day. Kateryna Diuzhenko pitched her translation company InterBridge Translation Agency, and Olena Mykhaliuk, Liidia Haivoronska and Anzhela Voronova also presented ideas that have emerged from the project, all with a clear drive and belief in the future. Behind each idea is a journey and a growing network of women who now see new opportunities.
From insight to implementation
The program has been based on a clear process where participants have been supported step-by-step in identifying their business ideas and target groups, evaluating both scalability and feasibility, and understanding finances, laws and business structure. They have also worked on developing teams and building professional networks.
- It's about providing knowledge, yes, but also about creating confidence and belief in your own idea," says Ann-Louise Larsson.
Focus on female entrepreneurship
Demo Day also included a panel discussion on how science parks and innovation environments can promote female entrepreneurship in the Baltic Sea region. Jörgen Steen, business coach from Dalarna Science Park, participated together with international colleagues from Norway, Denmark and Lithuania.
- It was a day filled with inspiration, belief in the future and important conversations about how we together strengthen the ecosystems for entrepreneurs in the Baltic Sea region," says Jörgen Steen.
The project will end in 2025, but its effects are expected to live on in the form of new businesses, new networks and stronger entrepreneurial spirit.
The project, funded by the EU through Interreg Baltic Sea Region, is being implemented simultaneously in Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark and Poland. There too, Ukrainians have fled the war and many are participating in business development programs to create an entrepreneurial future in their new home countries. The project will provide recommendations on national and international development and financing opportunities for business development for foreign-born women.
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