On 22–23 November, at Ilmaveere in Setomaa, the final of the "Empowering Women" entrepreneurship programme hackathon, organised in collaboration by the Estonian Refugee Council, Garage48, and Swedbank, selected 41 of the best business ideas from 60. These ideas will now proceed to a business incubation programme running until the end of March.

Over the next four months, the selected teams will receive support from mentors to help them start, sustain, and grow their businesses in Estonia. Various workshops will be held on topics such as marketing, sales, digitalisation, sustainability, finance, and more. The programme will also feature community events and inspiration days. Participants with a refugee background can also join the MindSpring programme, which supports their mental health.

"It was inspiring to hear the participants' business idea presentations, all of which were unique and promising. This year, we opened the project to all women across Estonia, bringing together different communities. I'm pleased that participants not only gained useful business knowledge, but also had the opportunity to create a network where local and migrant-background women support one another," said Grete Karelsohn, Livelihoods Officer at the Estonian Refugee Council.

As in previous years, the programme this year includes business ideas in the fields of catering, handicrafts and arts, as well as beauty services. In addition, this year’s programme features start-ups in sectors such as education, recreation, various digital solutions, and services related to mental and physical well-being.

The entrepreneurship programme began in October with the Idea Garage idea day, which aimed to develop business ideas that meet market needs, using problem-based and user-centred approach methodologies. In the second stage, a three-week virtual hackathon involved 90 teams, who, through active mentoring in the Garage48 format, created an initial business plan from their business ideas. At the final on 23 November, 60 teams presented their business plans, and 41 of the best will begin a four-month incubation programme starting on 5 December.

The "Empowering Women" entrepreneurship programme is implemented by the Estonian Refugee Council, Garage48, and Swedbank, with EENA and OBJEKT as partners. The programme is co-funded by Swedbank, Garage48, the Estonian Refugee Council, OBJEKT, and the European Union.