Despite facing challenges such as a full-scale invasion, Ukrainian women demonstrate remarkable boldness in entrepreneurship. In 2023, over 50% of new entrepreneurs being women, and more than 30% of C-level positions are held by women, which surpasses global averages.
The EIT Red Kalyna Initiative, like EIT Deep Tech Talent, is an EIT Community initiative. It aims to recognise and promote outstanding Ukrainian women entrepreneurs, educators, researchers, and mentors, who persist despite the challenges they face, and have developed innovative products or solutions, or have transformed their businesses into innovative ones. By highlighting their achievements, the initiative strives to empower all women across Europe to pursue their dreams and ambitions.
The EIT Community is Europe’s largest innovation network, uniting various nationalities, ages, abilities, and genders. They believe in the power of diversity and gender equality, and are convinced that for innovation to thrive, more women innovators, entrepreneurs, and more women in decision making are needed.
Who can apply
Organisations
EIT Red Kalyna is open to Ukrainian and international organizations and institutions, situated both in Ukraine and Horizon Europe countries, whose mission refers to empowering women, working on inclusion and diversity and who are eager to support Ukrainian women in areas such as business, research, education, innovation, technology and related fields.
This year, one organisation will be selected to receive EIT Red Kalyna Recognition and collaborate with the EIT Community to enhance collective efforts.
Individuals
Every year up to 10 role models from Ukraine are inducted into the Red Kalyna Hall of Fame, which will be published and promoted. They will also receive the Red Kalyna Award by EIT Community Label to symbolise their strength and endurance.
Become a Partner
The Red Kalyna is a new initiative of the EIT Community, and is open to external Partners who wish to support female entrepreneurs from Ukraine. We encourage the Pledgers of EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative to become partners of the Red Kalyna and support women entrepreneurs in Ukraine. To apply, click here and complete the short online form.
Partners
