EmpowerHER Rural Business is an Erasmus+ project dedicated to women entrepreneurs in rural Transylvania, with a focus on Alba County and surrounding areas. The project establishes the foundation for a community of rural entrepreneurs, created to support the sustainable development of local ideas and businesses in a balanced, conscious manner connected to community realities.
The project addresses a minimum of 25 women entrepreneurs, either with existing businesses or in the idea phase, who seek clarity, practical skills, visibility, and a support network. Participation is free, with activities co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program. The project runs from November 2025 to June 2026.
Project number: 2025-1-RO01-KA210-ADU-000362384
Activities are organized both in-person and online to ensure accessibility and continuity.
Participants benefit from:
Activities are organized both in-person and online to ensure accessibility and continuity.
The second workshop supports clarifying personal and professional direction through:
The third workshop is dedicated to practical application:
The structure of the EmpowerHER Rural Business workshops follows an intentional path, built on the real needs of participants.
On February 24, the initial meeting creates the framework of trust and community necessary for learning.
On March 24, the mindfulness, well-being, and resilience workshop provides clarity, stability, and balance – the foundation of any sustainable development or, especially, a new idea.
On May 24, digital skills are developed practically, at a time when the direction is already clear and can be translated into clear promotional materials and better preparation of products or services for existing markets and/or for the regional fair in Austria (June 2026).
This sequence ensures a natural growth process, from inside to outside, and equally adapted to the rural environment.
Working materials for each workshop will be made available to participants in printed and digital format.
During the last week of each month (January–June 2026), participants have access to the project’s Regional Office VIE HUB I Village Community Space (Ampoița).
Additionally, the project offers online support options for continuity and equal access.
This hybrid structure (in-person + online) allows adaptation to the real needs of participants and supports each person’s journey throughout the project.
Toward the end of the project, in June 2026, a selected group of participants will have the opportunity to present their products or services at a regional fair in Austria, strengthening visibility, exchange of experience, and openness to the European market.
In parallel, materials created within the project (presentations, product sheets, business stories) will be promoted in the Austria – Vienna and Lower Austria region, in German, English, or Romanian through:
This component is actively supported by project partners, contributing to real visibility adapted to the Austrian regional context as well as internationally through the developed platform-website. Both partners are German speakers and understand the realities of both rural-entrepreneurial environments.
The program is facilitated by Nicoleta Pfeffer-Barbela (Highlife Horizon SRL), with over 10 years of experience in rural development and mindfulness in Romania and Austria, alongside Austrian partner Petra Christine Bernklau, a specialist in adult education, economics, and digital fields, with experience in wellbeing methods.
EmpowerHER Rural Business establishes the foundation for a community of rural entrepreneurs, designed as a living space for learning, collaboration, and long-term support. Participation offers access to rural coworking and meetings held directly in the countryside, alongside specialists in mindfulness, psychology, career guidance, rural financing, accounting, and business registration. This structure creates the foundation for future projects dedicated to personal and professional development in rural areas.
Every community is built upon people. From stories, ideas, experiences, and the desire to grow together. Her Network is a vibrant, continuously evolving community, formed by women who create, learn, collaborate, and support each other. Discover the participants who are already part of this network, and if you resonate with our values, we invite you to join us. Together, the community becomes stronger.