The «Femeia Antreprenor» (Woman Entrepreneur) 2024 Scheme: Promises Without Funding and What They Mean for Entrepreneurs
The Minister of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Irineu Darău, has recently acknowledged that the government's "Femeia Antreprenor" 2024 programme was heavily promoted before the elections…
Todos & Company editorial team · EU funding consultancy since 2006
The background to the launch of the «Femeia Antreprenor» scheme
The Minister of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Irineu Darău, recently acknowledged that the government's 2024 «Femeia Antreprenor» programme was heavily promoted ahead of the elections, but without clearly secured funding. This admission raises serious questions about how funds are managed and about the credibility of schemes aimed at Romanian entrepreneurs, especially women, a segment seen as increasingly important to the country's economy.
The «Femeia Antreprenor» programme is designed to support women entrepreneurs by giving them access to non-refundable grants for launching and developing small and medium-sized businesses. In reality, more than 6,800 applications were registered in the Single Electronic Register (RUE), yet the promoted funding had not even reached the stage of official confirmation, which creates a major risk for beneficiaries.
Who the eligible beneficiaries are and what opportunities the programme offers
«Femeia Antreprenor» mainly targets women who are at the start of their business journey or who want to expand a micro-enterprise. Eligible applicants are entrepreneurs resident in Romania who propose projects in a range of fields, from trade and services to manufacturing and tourism. Besides financial support, the programme offers women entrepreneurs a real chance to develop their management skills, access consultancy and enter local or international markets.
Non-refundable funding is an advantageous opportunity, because it reduces investment risk and supports business growth without burdening companies with debt. Beyond the amount awarded, access to this scheme can improve visibility and legitimacy on the market, thereby supporting the sustainable development of women-led businesses.
The main eligibility conditions and application stages
To apply, beneficiaries must meet certain mandatory criteria. These include:
- Being an authorised natural person (PFA), an individual enterprise or a small company that was recently established;
- The proposed project must be feasible and cover activities that comply with the CAEN codes (Romanian NACE codes) set by the programme;
- Backing the application with a clear business strategy, with a detailed description of the investments, the target market and the competitive advantages;
- Compliance with the legal requirements for the registration and operation of the company at the time the application is submitted.
The documentation to be prepared includes the business plan, the tax registration certificate, the company's financial statements where applicable, and other supporting documents proving the project's eligibility. The selection process involves scoring applications against clear criteria, followed by negotiations and the signing of funding contracts.
The impact of funding uncertainty on Romanian entrepreneurs
Once it became clear that the «Femeia Antreprenor» scheme had been promoted without a guaranteed budget, many entrepreneurs found themselves in a difficult situation. Trust in government programmes is declining, and the women entrepreneurs who submitted projects face uncertainty over whether the promised funds will continue to be available or will not be awarded at all. This situation can have negative effects on business planning, on investors and on the local economy.
In the long term, such practices damage the entrepreneurial ecosystem and distort public perception of access to EU or government funding. Transparency, rigorous allocation of resources and clear communication with applicants are essential, so as not to discourage private initiatives, especially in an economic context that is already challenging.
Practical recommendations for interested entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs who want to access EU or government funds should consider a few practical points:
- Check the eligibility conditions and programme requirements carefully before submitting projects, to avoid wasting time and resources;
- Prepare rigorous documentation, including a solid, sustainable business plan with a clear economic rationale;
- Be prepared for possible delays or changes in programme funding, and look for complementary financial alternatives so that the development of your business is not blocked;
- Contact consultants specialising in EU funds to get professional support in preparing and defending your applications;
- Keep following official information and programme updates so that you can react promptly to any change.
So even if the 2024 «Femeia Antreprenor» programme is facing funding problems, women entrepreneurs can continue their efforts and look for alternative opportunities to support and grow their businesses, drawing on the experience gained in a competitive and dynamic environment.
Want to find out what non-refundable funding you can access?
The Todos Company team helps you with the whole process: from checking eligibility and calculating your score, to preparing the application file and submitting the project.
