Pinks and Greens - Call for partners



Project proposal
In the European entrepreneurial landscape, a significant gender disparity persists, with women facing systemic barriers to entry and growth. This disparity is particularly pronounced in the burgeoning field of social and environmental entrepreneurship. While female entrepreneurs are increasingly driven by a desire to create positive social and environmental impact, they often lack access to the necessary funding, mentorship, and networks to translate their innovative ideas into successful businesses. This creates a missed opportunity to harness the power of female entrepreneurship to address critical global challenges.
Objectives
The "Pinks and Greens" project empowers women aged 27-35 to launch impactful, environmentally and socially conscious startups. Through a comprehensive program combining targeted training in essential business skills and sustainable practices, mentorship from experienced professionals, and facilitated networking opportunities, we aim to bridge the gender gap in sustainable entrepreneurship, enabling women to lead ventures that contribute to a greener and more socially responsible economy. Recognizing the importance of a supportive ecosystem, the project also invests in the professional development of staff within partner organizations who will gain enhanced skills and methodologies to effectively support these women, ensuring a more robust and enduring impact on the ecosystem of female-led sustainable businesses.
Phases of the project
To achieve these objectives, "Pinks and Greens" will be implemented across four key phases: Preparation, Selection, Project Activities, and Model Evaluation. The Preparation phase will establish the project’s foundation by developing a blended online and in-person training curriculum covering sustainable business models, impact measurement, circular economy principles, and green startup investment strategies. This phase will also establish key partnerships with experienced female entrepreneurs, sustainability experts, investors, industry leaders, and relevant organizations to secure mentorship and networking opportunities, alongside targeted outreach and recruitment campaigns. The Selection phase will identify the most promising candidates through application reviews based on pre-defined criteria (motivation, business idea, potential impact) and possibly introductory meetings to assess suitability and commitment, culminating in final participant selection. The core program will be delivered during the Project Activities phase, encompassing the hybrid training, a dedicated mentorship program, networking and matchmaking events connecting participants with investors, industry leaders, and peers, and study visits to leading green and social enterprises for first hand operational insights. Finally, the Model Evaluation phase will assess the project’s effectiveness and impact through data collection and analysis of participant outcomes (business and job creation, environmental and social impact), culminating in a comprehensive evaluation report outlining achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, disseminated to promote model replication and scaling.
Results
The "Pinks and Greens" project anticipates several key outcomes. At least 50 women will experience enhanced entrepreneurial skills, gaining the knowledge and confidence necessary to launch and scale their sustainable businesses. Simultaneously, the project will empower staff within partner organizations with improved skills and methodologies to effectively support these women-led startups, thus ensuring a lasting positive impact on the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. A robust support network will be established, comprising over 20 mentors, 30 investors, and 10 partner organizations, fostering long-term collaboration and creating valuable connections for participants. This initiative will also contribute to increased visibility and participation of women within the green economy, promoting a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial landscape. Furthermore, the project will develop a replicable and scalable training model, readily adaptable by other organizations supporting women in sustainability-driven entrepreneurship. Finally, "Pinks and Greens" will strengthen connections between European and international ecosystems in social innovation and environmental entrepreneurship, fostering potential cross-border collaborations and opening up new funding opportunities.
Who we are
Social Innovation Teams Italia APS (SIT), a Milan-based non-profit, is a dynamic hub for social innovation and entrepreneurship. Founded in 2011 by Professor Paolo Landoni of the Polytechnic University of Turin, SIT fosters strong ties with academic and research institutions nationally and internationally. This vibrant community unites entrepreneurs, experts, researchers, students, professors, investors, and business managers, collaboratively pursuing impactful solutions. Operating across Italian cities and universities, SIT initiates projects addressing social challenges through inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and tangible impact. Its core activities include networking events, targeted entrepreneurial training (leveraging 1,000+ mentors/volunteers and collaborating with the Polytechnic University of Turin), and providing technical assistance to 40+ impact-driven businesses and startups. SIT focuses on young (18-35) aspiring and established entrepreneurs, including students, professionals, and NEETs, offering growth opportunities and engaging experienced adults as mentors. SIT’s mission to foster social innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship directly aligns with "Pink and Green’s" core themes. SIT’s extensive network of experts, investors, and academic connections will provide invaluable resources and networking opportunities for project participants, while its proven expertise in entrepreneurial training, particularly for young people, will ensure practical skill development crucial to their success. This combination of shared values, a robust network, and training proficiency makes SIT an ideal partner to amplify "Pink and Green’s" potential and impact.
Who we are looking for
We seek European partners possessing demonstrable experience in women's empowerment, with active or recent programs targeting our demographic (27-35), ensuring direct access to potential participants. Prior experience in international projects is essential, providing valuable expertise to complement our organization's national focus and fostering mutual learning. Furthermore, partners should possess established local and European stakeholder networks to amplify project communication and outreach, a crucial area where our organization seeks to leverage external support. While expertise in impact entrepreneurship is not a prerequisite, alignment with the project's core values of sustainability and social responsibility is paramount.
We will close the applications window by January 28th, 2025.