The Region of Sterea Ellada is one of the thirteen first-level administrative regional authorities of Greece. The Region is characterized by full financial and administrative independence, whereas its elected bodies are responsible for the coordination and enforcement of policies referring to the respective geographical area. The Region’s responsibilities cover a wide range of sectors, from development planning, environment protection and public health to transportation, entrepreneurship, rural economy and civil protection.
Sterea Ellada is the second largest administrative region in Greece and is considered to be a manufacturing hotspot, developed mainly due to its proximity to the region of Attiki, ranking fifth out of the 13 Greek regions in terms of export current prices. However, Gross Domestic Product growth rates have been negative since 2008 and haven’t still stabilized. Due to the recession, the economy has changed in terms of production base, employment, investments intensity and growth having a decisive impact on women employment and entrepreneurship. By 2011 female workers within the Research and Development domain represented the 31% of the total regional workforce. In 2013 the total unemployment rate was 27,6%, with female unemployment reaching at 31%, compared to a 25% of men unemployment
Equal opportunities and non-discrimination refer to horizontal principles of the Region and its RIS3 strategy and Regional Operation Plan. In this context, the issue of equal gender participation in the labor market is addressed from a “basic civil rights and opportunities for women” perspective, leaving however the objective of competitiveness unaddressed. To this end, the main objective of the Region through FEMINA is to refine its strategy regarding entrepreneurship, in a way that it captures value from a differentiated production base with a strong local consciousness. It should motivate the inactive population, women and SMEs in engaging in innovation and female entrepreneurship.
