About Women Business Council in Georgia (WBCG)

 

The Women Business Council in Georgia (WBCG) is membership based nonprofit organization founded in 2015. The mission of the Council is to bring together women entrepreneurs / startups and provide opportunities to grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and advocacy. WBCG works with women from diverse communities locally and regionally and delivers a broad range of services that inspires participants to become economically active and personally fulfilled. WBCG also cooperates with international organizations, policy makers and advocates for the interests of the members. The council is the member of Economic Policy Advocacy Coalition (EPAC) and the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). Organization is actively supporting the development of a business-friendly policy environment through inclusive dialogue between public and private sector actors together with other Business Support Organizations. 

 

 

 

 

In recognition of Women’s History Month, every year on 31 March, Women Business Council in cooperation with USAID funded project Governing for Growth (G4G) organizes women conference titled Women’s Role in Economic Growth and Policy Development. The conference focuses entirely on strengthening women’s leadership in the policy making process on economic growth. It provides a rare forum for women to share their knowledge and experiences in overcoming constraints in becoming women leaders. More than 300 women from different professional spheres have an opportunity to hear, first hand, the stories of accomplished women who have traversed obstacles to succeed. Panel speakers serve as bright examples and role models for women in Georgia as they take their own path of career development. The conference hosts market exhibition of Georgian women entrepreneurs from Tbilisi and regions.  Women leaders in Business, Government and Civil Society are revealed every year and awarded.  In 2017, the exhibition’s participation rate has increased by almost 200% since the first conference in 2015.

In May, 2016 Women Business Council in Georgia and Art International Women Association hosted first International Conference – "Women in Art for the Economic Development" supported by Tbilisi City Hall. Conference covered gender issues, with a special emphasis placed on social art and cultural changes influencing gender equality. The goal of the conference was to analyze how the content of gender roles and egalitarian norms vary across cultures and arts which cultural and contextual factors lead to the support of gender equality.

WBCG is addressing the gender gap and supports women’s empowerment in Georgia by conducting trainings, workshops and mentorship sessions on various subjects. Access to finance events, coaching sessions by international and local consultants, networking events, business plan development and other activities are organized regularly. In addition, members enhance their advocacy skills. 

For last two years intensive cooperation with Community members in rural areas as well as local entrepreneurs WBCG collected the profiles of more than 100 community members: both man and women who to a great extent need the support for developing their business mostly in the field of tourism and agriculture.

There is a huge potential of growing family income through educating and giving them right directions of developing their business. WBCG is in a process of developing special business training models to prepare them in obtaining financial sources and government projects.