Guide is a service center where women can address their questions about starting a business. With the help of a comprehensive support program, the project motivates women to explore the topic of starting a business, removes barriers to starting a business, and prepares them for launching a viable business. In the application for the "European Business Promotion Award 2015," guide was ranked among Germany's top 10.
The project is funded by the Munich Employment and Qualification Programme (MBQ), from European Social Fund (ESF) and the Bavarian State Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Family and Integration.
"The guide course was a great enrichment for me. I received a lot of inspiration, momentum, and the tools I needed to become self-employed. Now I believe in myself and my idea!" Barbara F., Munich, project participant
Thanks to targeted, gender-sensitive advice and support, clients can develop individual, practical solutions for their return to work. Through its offerings tailored to the needs of the target groups, guide contributes to increasing the start-up rate and thus increasing female employment in the Munich labor market.
Multidisciplinary consulting approach
The initiative includes a coordinated program for the motivation, advice, qualification, and support of female entrepreneurs. The project offers concrete, individual support in career orientation and preparation for starting a business. The guide consulting approach is multidisciplinary, and the range of methods is diverse: In addition to one-on-one consultations, guide offers numerous group programs.
5,000 women have used the project's services. A good third are seeking employment, 29 percent receive unemployment benefit I, and 5 percent receive unemployment benefit II. 25 percent were unemployed prior to starting their business due to childcare.
