What does Balance Center do?

Balance Center supports businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs in Albania through training, mentoring, and innovation programs.

Do you offer training for startups?

Yes, we provide entrepreneurship training programs, including CEFE methodology and startup support workshops.

Who can join your programs?

Our programs are open to all entrepreneurs, businesses, youth, and community members interested in business development.

Invest In Woman

Invest in Women – Enhancing Access to Knowledge, Skills, and Resources for Business Development

As part of the 'Invest in Women in Durrës and Tirana Regions' program, over 35 women entrepreneurs were supported through a series of training modules, workshops, and coaching sessions, organized in two groups — one in Durrës and one in Krujë. The program aimed to enhance women's access to knowledge, skills, and resources for business development. Through hands-on training in entrepreneurial mindset, business planning, marketing, and financial literacy, participants were equipped with the tools and confidence needed to start, grow, or scale their businesses — contributing to women's economic empowerment and social inclusion across the region.

Program Information

Women entrepreneurs were organized into two regional groups, based in Durrës and Krujë, and accompanied by experienced mentors throughout the program. Through mentoring, training, and peer learning, participants enhanced their entrepreneurial competencies and gained access to practical resources, business tools, sector-specific knowledge, best practices, and networking opportunities that supported the growth and development of their business ideas.

The mentoring program was delivered through four modules

Entrepreneurial mindset, opportunity identification, business idea generation, and goal setting.
Communication, creativity, idea selection, innovation, pitching, and introduction to business planning
Production planning, product development, marketing mix, and market positioning
Cash flow forecasting, break-even analysis, and financial tables for business plans

The modules focused on key areas including leadership, business presentations, financial management, workshops, and the CEFE methodology, providing participants with practical and interactive learning experiences.

A two-day introductory workshop for women covering entrepreneurial mindset, business idea generation, opportunity identification, goal setting, and problem-solving. Participants also received coaching support to develop and refine their business ideas.

A two-day workshop focused on transforming ideas into concrete plans. Topics included communication, teamwork, creativity, idea evaluation, innovation, pitching skills, and business plan development. Coaching sessions supported participants in drafting their initial business plans.

A three-day workshop covering key aspects of business development, including production planning, product innovation, marketing, digital marketing, market competition, and business positioning. Individual coaching supported participants in developing their business plans.

A three-day financial education workshop based on the CEFE methodology. Participants explored taxation for small businesses, break-even analysis, cash flow forecasting, market positioning, and financial planning, while receiving coaching to complete the financial sections of their business plans.

'Start-Up Talk' brought together women entrepreneurs to share their experiences, challenges, lessons learned, and successes. The event emphasized resilience, innovation, and the importance of learning from setbacks.

The event brought together women beneficiaries, project partners, institutions, and stakeholders to celebrate the program’s achievements. Through discussions, experience sharing, participant recognition, and visits to women-led businesses, the event highlighted the project’s impact on women’s entrepreneurial, financial, and leadership development while fostering networking and future opportunities.

IMPLEMENTED BY:

This project is implemented by the ARSIS Initiative in partnership with the BALANCE Center.

SUPPORTED BY:

This project is supported by UN Women and funded by UK International Development.