Lëtz Rise Up and She_Builds Global Initiative have teamed up to offer a day of workshops and networking for female entrepreneurs, as part of the "Peanut Project", at Forum Geesseknäppchen in Luxembourg-Merl on Saturday 11 November 2023 from 14:00 to 19:00.
These workshops aim to provide participants with technical tools and relational skills through different topics, creating spaces for sharing and networking and helping female entrepreneurs to build their project on the Luxembourg market. The workshops are mainly (but not exclusively) aimed at women of colour entrepreneurs, who have traditionally struggled to obtain funding to launch and develop their own business.
As Roberta Miller, She_Builds BENELUX Ambassador, told Chronicle.lu, the workshops are "a great opportunity for all women to get together [...] and learn from other women".
Roberta, who has represented the Benelux region at She_Builds since 2018, recalled that Lëtz Rise Up had already been running Peanut Project masterclasses since 2020. From 2023 on, however, the local feminist and anti-racist association has joined forces with She_Builds Global Initiative, an international platform that connects women of colour entrepreneurs, creators and professionals, particularly in emerging markets, to global opportunities and value chains.
Elaborating on She_Builds' decision to join this initiative, Roberta noted that it aligned with her organisation's values. "Building ecosystem partnerships with local organisations such as LetzRiseUp is vital for She_Builds," she said. "Not only does it allow us to harness diverse expertise, cultural understanding and community trust, it ultimately enables us to create a supportive network that can address complex challenges more effectively through shared ideas and resources. By working together, our respective organisations can maximise impact, promote mutual growth and create a positive ripple effect in the communities we serve."
Roberta added that the hosts of this project would like to "see more women of colour entrepreneurs based in Luxembourg. The number of women starting their businesses in this region is already quite low but based on the research and statistics presented, [that of] women of colour entrepreneurs is significantly lower."
The Peanut Project thus aims to contribute to the economic empowerment of racialised women by offering networking as well as access to training to improve business operation, and helping participants find role models and mentors in their industry. Sharing her own opinion on the value of this project, Roberta said: "I believe the Peanut Project is a great initiative because it focuses on empowering women from diverse backgrounds and encouraging them to take a leap of faith by delving into the world of entrepreneurship."
Regarding the long-term goal of the project, she stated: "Establishing a supportive platform where women entrepreneurs can gather, enhance their skills and connect with others who are on a similar journey, as well as key players in the ecosystem such as incubators, accelerators and investors, yields substantial short and long-term benefits. These networking opportunities create a ripple effect, enhancing the impact of individual businesses while also fostering collective growth. We understand that empowered women serve as role models who can inspire others and challenge traditional gender roles. Creating an enabling environment that is invested in their success can lead to broader societal shifts towards equality and inclusivity."
The upcoming workshops are led by the following guest speakers: Victoria Honey, sexologist and mental health coach; Jana Degrott, politician and co-founder of We Belong; Marlee Dos Reis, founder of IMANI; Neha Bhandari, founder of StylizedU; Shaïna Silva, founder of She_Builds Global Initiative. They touch on subjects ranging from personal and professional branding to using digital tools, launching one's network and securing funding, among others.
Tickets cost €20 and registration is now open at: https://bit.ly/peanut23. Further information about the event and project is available on the Lëtz Rise Up website: https://www.letzriseup.com/about-4.
