20/04/2026
On 15–16 April, the CLIMB partners met in Thessaloniki, hosted bu the partner OECON GROUP Business and Development Consultants, for a key coordination meeting. This in-person moment was essential to align our work and strengthen collaboration as we approach the closing phase of the project’s first cycle: the research and analysis of barriers women face in rural and inner areas when entering entrepreneurship, as well as the opportunities available to them.
GAL MERIDAUNIA lead applicant of CLIMB Project presented the state of the art on the project management and seated the next steps for the effective running of the project.
During the meeting, Prof. Bernat Claramunt and David Grasoria from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) presented the first findings and a draft version of the initial analysis report. The report will be published soon.
We also started the joint discussion on the next step of CLIMB: the development of training modules designed for women who aspire to become entrepreneurs in rural and inner areas.
Two days of exchange, alignment and shared ideas—an important milestone for what comes next.
Stay tuned for the publication of the first report and the launch of the training phase
27/03/2026
The CLIMB Project brings together a diverse partnership of organisations from across Europe, combining expertise in entrepreneurship, adult education, research, and regional development.
Partner Organisations
🇮🇹 GAL MERIDAUNIA (Italy)
Coordinator of the project, contributing extensive experience in community development, training initiatives, and European
cooperation projects.
🇬🇷 OECON GROUP Business and Development Consultants (Greece)
Specialised in research, policy analysis, and project management, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe.
🇹🇷 Kadın ve Genç Girişim Merkezi Derneği - K-GEM (Türkiye)
An organisation dedicated to promoting education, skills development, and opportunities for social and economic empowerment.
🇨🇾 H. Priority Trust Services Ltd (Cyprus)
Providing expertise in consultancy, training, and innovation projects that support entrepreneurship and professional development.
🇪🇸 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain)
A leading European university contributing academic expertise, research capacity, and evidence-based approaches to the project.
Working Together Across Europe
By combining knowledge from five countries, the CLIMB partnership works collaboratively to create tools, research, and opportunities that support women entrepreneurs in rural and mountainous areas.
Together, the partners aim to build stronger networks, empower women with new skills, and contribute to sustainable and inclusive rural economies across Europe.
24/03/2026
The CLIMB Project aims to empower women living in rural and mountainous areas by strengthening their entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, and digital competences. By addressing the barriers women face when starting a business, the project contributes to more inclusive and sustainable rural development across Europe.
Through research, training, and collaboration, CLIMB will support women who want to create their own opportunities while living in rural regions.
Key Objectives:
🔎 Identify inequalities in entrepreneurship
The project will examine the main areas where women face inequalities when trying to start or grow a business.
🚧 Understand barriers and gaps
CLIMB will analyse the key challenges women encounter when attempting to establish businesses in rural or mountainous areas.
📚 Develop practical training material
Specialised learning resources will be created to help women develop the skills needed to launch and manage their own businesses.
🌐 Create a networking platform
A digital space will connect women from the project’s case-study regions, encouraging collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange.
📢 Promote project results widely
Dissemination activities will ensure that the project’s findings, tools, and opportunities reach a broad audience across Europe.
🏔️ Support rural communities and address depopulation
By supporting women entrepreneurs, the project contributes to
strengthening rural economies and encouraging women to remain in or relocate to these regions.
12/03/2026
CLIMB Project is officially launched!
We’re thrilled to announce that the CLIMB project kicked off in November 2025! Our mission is to empower women in rural and mountainous areas across Europe, breaking down barriers to entrepreneurship and fostering inclusive economic growth.
What we aim to achieve:
- Enhance entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy for rural women
- Develop digital competencies and innovative training programs
- Create networking opportunities, mentorship, and a dedicated digital learning hub
- Strengthen support systems for gender-inclusive rural development
Meet our partnership:
🇮🇹 Meridaunia (Project Coordinator - Italy)
🇬🇷 OECON (Greece)
🇪🇸 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain)
🇨🇾 Priority Trust Services (Cyprus)
🇹🇷 K-GEM (Turkey)
Together, we’re committed to building a sustainable future where rural women thrive as entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities.
Stay tuned for updates on our journey
