WISE experience in Poland WISE Final Workshop Brussels, 22 March 2007 Katarzyna Doliwa

About OPI - Information Processing Centre  OPI was called into being in 1990 as a research and development unit supervised by the State Committee for Scientific Research, at present the Ministry of Science and Higher Education  The OPI owns information resources ready to be used for the formulation of the state policy related to research and innovation as well as for preparation of due analyses and statistics  Main task: is to facilitate quick access to the most up-to-date and thorough information on the Polish science.  Project realised by OPI: Innovation Relay Centre (Central Poland), Wenett, Ris Mazovia, Boost-IT, Neuron, Foresight Mazovia

WISE activities carried out:  Dissemination of WISE project information: -promotion at partners web pages -promotion supported by partners during workshops organised by them -promotion at OPI web page -workshop promotion at other conferences -information distribution with "European Grants" newsletter -information in the "Innovations" newspaper

WISE activities carried out:  WISE project workshop ( ) 30 women participating in the WISE workshop –entrepreneurs and women workers –4 - VET institutions - public –2 - VET institutions - private, –1 - woman representing women institution –women who would like to have their own business in IT/ IT supported sector

Total average of all scores is: 4,2 - According to the feedback results the highest scores average has “Work-life balance issues” and “Gender and diversity issues” modules. - In the “Workshop programme” part total average overall satisfaction is :4,1 - In the “General aspects” part the scores average is: 4,3 Results from the WISE activities:

– Main barriers encountered by women entrepreneurs - while they have started their own business were: Start- up finance, lack of information, contacts, management skills know-how and self confidence. - now: no time for training and updating skills, low budget - specially for PR and Marketing Results from the WISE activities:

– Main barriers seen in the business environment: – Less opportunities to accumulate the confidence, skills and contacts necessary to run a successful business – The majority of business support and membership organisations do not have special arrangements for women entrepreneurs. – High taxes for SMEs, administrative obstacles – It is difficult to keep balance of a role of good wifes and mothers and sucessful businesswomen

Main tools needed: - need of training focused on the women needs and dedicated to women - need of training in field of: how to use European Union founds - legal aspects especially covering the subject of Intellectual Property Rights protection Results from the WISE activities:

Conclusions - The opinion of participants were very optimistic and there were a lot of suggestions that the workshop modules requires continuation - The knowledge presented at the workshop were ranked very high. - The workshop interactive formula worked very well. - All the participants were engaged in the work and created the modules results together - Moreover, the participants during and after each module had interesting conversation with trainers and between themselves - Some of the training companies are interested in WISE practical catalogue of Best Practice Training modules and tools to have a possibility to develop their training offer.

More Information: Katarzyna Doliwa Information Processing Centre Al. Niepodleglosci 188b Warsaw Poland Ph./fax