Croatia

  1. European Institute for Gender Equality

The Institute has given the programme named “Cheap loans for Croatia’s Women Entrepreneur” for Croatian women. This programme is an innovative loan programme which was designed for women entrepreneurs since women in Croatia have a low level of participation in employment activities and entrepreneurship. This loan is disbursed from the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) in cooperation with Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts and the Croatian Agency for SMEs and Investments (HAMAG Invest). It not only provides loans to women entrepreneurs but also provides guarantees to them. There are twenty two banks in Croatia who are taking part in this programme.

http://eige.europa.eu/gender-mainstreaming/good-practices/croatia/cheap-loans-croatias-women-entrepreneurs

  1. Strategy of Women Entrepreneurship Development in the Republic of Croatia 2014-2020

This programme is also given by European Institute of Gender Equality in Croatia. The Republic of Croatia is one of the rare countries that have a Strategy on Women Entrepreneurship Development. The strategy contains European policies like equality between men and women, equal opportunities and non-discrimination, including access to persons with disabilities. The strategy was important because of the increase of risk poverty rate for women, predomination of women in unemployment, less participation of women in entrepreneurial activities and fragmented, incoherent programs and activities.

http://eige.europa.eu/gender-mainstreaming/resources/croatia/strategy-women-entrepreneurship-development-republic-croatia-2014-2020

  1. S. Embassy in Croatia

The Embassy provides Women’s Entrepreneurship Grants Program. This grant is aimed at creating a website that can serve as a comprehensive resource directory for women entrepreneurs in Croatia. The grant is aimed at creating a community of successful and aspiring entrepreneurs.

https://hr.usembassy.gov/womens-entrepreneurship-grants-program/

  1. South East European Centre for Entrepreneurship Learning

It is the first incubator for women entrepreneurs in Croatia and a job creating engine for South Eastern Europe. It promotes the best policy practices in women’s entrepreneurship in the nine SEECEL member states. It builds a network and association of women entrepreneurs and also takes special interest in capacity building of these women.

http://www.seecel.hr/first-business-incubator-for-women-entrepreneurs-in-croatia

  1. Wegate

It provides the women with access to finance and introduce women entrepreneurs with stakeholders and investors. It provides women entrepreneurs with access to networks and also provides necessary information about the various mentorship programs and workshops on entrepreneurship. It acts like a platform for online networking, exchange and cooperation among aspiring and current women entrepreneurs.

https://www.wegate.eu/

  1. Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts

The Ministry takes full control of trade and foreign investments; it promotes competitiveness of SME and their participation in public procurement and public-private partnerships. It also promotes international cooperation. It prepares and implements strategic and operational documents and programs for the use of ESI funds and other international financing sources allocated to promote entrepreneurship and innovation.

https://rio.jrc.ec.europa.eu/en/organisations/ministry-entrepreneurship-and-crafts

  1. Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO)

It aims at development of small and medium-sized enterprises and improves innovation and also encourages investments in this sector. It has been operating since 20 years and it’s completely committed to this sector. It increases the SMEs and crafts in Republic of Croatia access to finance. It tries to assist the SMEs in all stages of development. It also provides financial support to innovative and technology-oriented enterprises in Croatia.

http://www.investcroatia.hr/about-us/