"What you give is yours": A Mentorship Programme for Female Entrepreneurs Kicks Off in Belarus

October 14, 2024

a group of people sitting at a table — Photo credit: UNDP in Belarus

According to Belstat, women account for 39.5% of all entrepreneurs in Belarus, with their number increasing by 8% over the past five years. Nevertheless, women continue to face social barriers and gender stereotypes that hinder their professional growth.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports that women are only 75% as likely as men to express confidence in their entrepreneurial skills. Moreover, about half of female entrepreneurs cite fear of failure as a significant obstacle to pursuing their business ideas.

Mentorship is gaining popularity as an effective tool for professional skills development among women in business. Unlike traditional training, it emphasizes knowledge sharing and close collaboration between mentors and mentees, leading to a more personalized and interactive learning experience.

The mentoring program for women entrepreneurs from the Gomel, Mogilev, and Vitebsk regions has attracted 45 participants, including 15 mentors and 30 mentees. The mentors are owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses who have experience in addressing the challenges identified by the mentees — entrepreneurs seeking support in developing their ventures.

For mentors, such an interaction is an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and increase visibility within the business community. For mentees, they serve as successful role models who can help grow business and avoid common pitfalls.

The majority of participants are from the Gomel region, with many women working in similar industries. This shared background will allow the entrepreneurs to expand their networks and benefit from the peers' insights into their strengths and weaknesses.

a woman standing in front of a curtain — Photo credit: UNDP in Belarus

The first step for all participants is training. The mentors attended a series of workshops where they learned to effectively structure and convey their knowledge, as well as to build trustful relations. The mentees, in turn, learned to set clear goals and expectations from collaboration with their colleagues.

Following this, the entrepreneurs will work in pairs and present the results in December. Throughout the programme, the participants will be supported by experts who will help facilitate productive exchanges and navigate any potential challenges.

Tatiana Kushniruk, Mazyr

"In Mazyr, it is more challenging to find quality offline business courses compared to the capital or regional centers. Although about 80% of my training was conducted online, I find in-person meetings far more effective. Engaging with colleagues allows for open discussions on pressing issues and instant feedback. So, even the need to travel to Minsk did not deter me from taking part in the learning sessions," shares Tatsiana, a mentor in the programme.

"Mentorship not only supports entrepreneurs in overcoming their specific challenges but also drives economic development in the country. My goal is simple: through my own growth, I aspire to help others succeed and prevent burnout from routine tasks," she adds.

Violetta Poliakova, Babrujsk

"I am currently preparing to transform my business into a full-fledged marketing agency and hire more stuff. I joined the programme to find a mentor who excels at building effective teams. I would like to learn how to connect with employees, assess their performance, and motivate them towards personal and professional growth," shares Violetta, a mentee.

Elena Kabalnova, Kashara village

Elena Kabalnova, an entrepreneur from the Rahachow district, is a sales expert who acts as a mentor in the programme.

"My goal is to guide those who are still learning how to sell effectively. I believe that quality training in online sales can transform the business landscape in both small and large cities," Elena explains.

"The mentorship programme has enabled me to discover new sales strategies, reflect on my existing skills, and apply modern business techniques. Most importantly, I have learned how to objectively evaluate my clients' successes as well as my own level of accountability."

Yulia Sidorova, Horki

"For my business to thrive, I need to constantly grow myself," says Yulia Sidorova, an animator from Horki participating in the programme as a mentee.

"Mentorship offers an excellent opportunity to receive guidance from an experienced entrepreneur. My business is currently at a stage where this support is crucial. This programme could potentially prevent some mentees from having to close their businesses. Even a few days of networking have already yielded positive results. We exchanged experiences and ideas that inspired us to rethink our approaches to work. Ultimately, the rest depends on us."

The advancement of women's entrepreneurship plays a vital role in implementing the National Action Plan for Gender Equality in the Republic of Belarus for 2021–2025. It supports the country's sustainable development by helping to reduce the gender pay gap, expand economic opportunities, and foster innovations.

The mentorship programme is part of the initiative aimed at promoting sustainable socio-economic development in Belarus, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus.

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