The VoWoCo Erasmus+ Project Unveils Evidence-Based Skill Matrix for Women Entrepreneurs Across Four Countries

Women entrepreneurs do not just need generic business advice — they need support that reflects the real skills, challenges, and opportunities shaping their daily work. The VoWoCo project has now turned that insight into action with the development of an evidence-based Skill Matrix that identifies the most important entrepreneurial competencies for women in Hungary, Italy, Portugal, and Türkiye.

The Skill Matrix was not created in theory alone. It emerged from a rigorous research process that combined focus group discussions with women entrepreneurs and women in career transitions, labor market analysis, and validation by 22 international experts from academia, business, civil society, and public institutions. Across the four countries, the research produced 65 first-order skills, 17 second-order themes, and four overarching skill dimensions, creating a robust picture of the capabilities women entrepreneurs rely on in different contexts.

The findings show that entrepreneurial success is shaped by much more than financial literacy or traditional growth metrics. The strongest pillar in the matrix is relational and social skills, followed by management and operations, personal and behavioral skills, and cognitive and strategic skills. Experts especially highlighted networking and social capital, opportunity recognition, self-regulation, strategic planning, and adaptive leadership as the most important themes. In other words, the matrix reflects how women entrepreneurs really build and sustain businesses: by navigating relationships, institutions, uncertainty, and changing life circumstances.

This is exactly what makes the Skill Matrix so useful. It provides a practical, evidence-based foundation for targeted training, mentoring, and self-reflection tools that respond to real needs rather than assumptions. On this basis, VoWoCo is also developing an online learning module that will be available free of charge, helping women entrepreneurs strengthen the skills that matter most in practice. The matrix can therefore serve not only researchers and policymakers, but also trainers, mentors, support organisations, and women who want a clearer picture of where they stand and where they can grow.

Country results also reveal striking differences:

• In Hungary, the strongest profile is psychologically intensive: women entrepreneurs often rely on self-awareness, identity adjustment, and career transitioning in response to lower levels of social capital.
• Italy stands out for its relationally embedded profile, where community networking and relational empathy are especially important, reflecting the power of social ties in business life.
• Portugal shows an institutionally structured profile with strong strategic mapping, uncertainty management, and a need for practical tools that support decision-making in constrained environments.
• Türkiye presents an opportunity-driven profile, with strong market awareness, high risk-taking, and emerging digital strengths such as data visualization and prompt engineering.

These country-specific findings matter because they show that support for women entrepreneurs should not be one-size-fits-all. The same skills do not carry the same weight in every national context, and effective training must reflect local realities, sectoral differences, and stage-specific business needs. That is why the Skill Matrix is designed as both a shared European framework and a flexible tool that can be adapted for country-level use.

VoWoCo is a transnational project dedicated to better understanding and supporting women entrepreneurs across Europe through research-based tools, practical learning resources, and cross-country collaboration. By combining evidence, expert validation, and a clear focus on usability, the project aims to help women entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, make informed choices, and access support that truly fits their needs. The Skill Matrix is a key step in that direction: a practical bridge between research and action.

Visit the Skill Matrix webpage. >>>

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One of the greatest opportunities for border regions is to make use of and connect their shared cultural heritage. Although historical and administrative borders separated communities for a long time, in the 21st century initiatives that use cultural values as bridges are increasingly gaining importance – connecting the inhabitants of the region and strengthening a shared identity. Museums and cross-border cultural programmes play a key role in this process.

New museum developments in Nagykanizsa: creating a tourism and community hub

With the support of the Interreg VI-A Hungary–Croatia Programme 2021–2027, the project entitled AKT – Around the Kettle Together / Együtt a bogrács körül has been launched. Its aim is to create and develop a new joint cross-border tourism destination through the cooperation of Kalinovac (Croatia) and Nagykanizsa (Hungary). Building on the shared historical and cultural values of the region, the project seeks to strengthen tourism cooperation and increase the number of visitors to the area.

The core idea of the project is based on the shared historical past of the two regions, with particular emphasis on the period of the Ottoman Empire, which plays an important role in the cultural heritage of both areas. During the Ottoman occupation, Nagykanizsa was an important strategic centre, and its memories can still be found in the city’s cultural and historical heritage. Thanks to the development, Nagykanizsa received EUR 610,000, approximately HUF 230 million in funding. One of the most important elements of the investment is the complete transformation of the attic space of the Thúry György Museum in Nagykanizsa: the interactive exhibition space to be created here will bring the world of the Kanizsa Castle and everyday life during the Ottoman period to life.

The new exhibition space will not only expand the city’s cultural offer but will also provide an experience for all generations through modern museum education tools.

Another important element of the project is the restoration of the historic Turkish Well as a drinking fountain at Deák Square, close to its original location. This is not only a tribute to the city’s past but also the creation of a community space that represents value for both local residents and tourists.

One of the most significant elements of the project is the organisation of joint cultural and tourism programmes, aiming to expand the tourism offer of the region and strengthen cross-border cooperation. Within the framework of the project, a joint summer camp will be organised in Nagykanizsa, primarily offering young people the opportunity to discover historical and cultural heritage. In addition, a Turkish historical and gastronomy festival will be organised, presenting the shared historical past and culinary traditions of the region.

THE IDEA OF THE VÁR-ATLAN FESTIVAL CREATED WITHIN THE CROCUS PROJECT CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS INITIATIVE. THE IDEA WAS ALSO DISCOVERED BY PÉTER NYESTE, THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT LEADER OF NAGYKANIZSA RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT, AS HE PARTICIPATED IN THE IDEATION WORKSHOPS OF THE CROCUS PROJECT. THROUGH THIS, THE IDEAS CREATED WITHIN THE CROCUS PROJECT CAN DIRECTLY BE INCORPORATED INTO A PROJECT AND CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING IT EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL.

A joint tourism strategy will also be developed during the project, which will define the long-term directions of tourism development in the region and contribute to strengthening cross-border tourism cooperation.

This long-awaited development will also have a positive impact on the city’s cultural tourism.

Slovenian – Hungarian border museums – as cultural connection points

Thanks to the above-mentioned development, the renewed Thúry György Museum in Nagykanizsa will be able to establish meaningful connections and compete with similar institutions in the Slovenian border regions, where significant museum and cultural developments have also been implemented in recent years in Lendava and Murska Sobota.

• The Lendava Gallery and Museum regularly organise international exhibitions, Hungarian – Slovenian cultural meetings and art festivals. This can also serve as a valuable connection point between Hungarian and Slovenian heritage-preserving institutions. THE LENDAVA MUSEUM COULD PROVIDE EXCELLENT SUPPORT FOR A POSSIBLE FUTURE COOPERATION WITH THE THÚRY GYÖRGY MUSEUM IN NAGYKANIZSA, AS ANDOR BECSKEI, ONE OF THE ARTISTS OF THE EGRY JÓZSEF GALLERY AND OPEN STUDIO IN KANIZSA, IS A REGULAR PARTICIPANT AND ORGANISER OF THE SLOVENIAN MUSEUM ART COLONY. HE WAS ALSO A PARTICIPANT OF THE CROCUS PROJECT IDEATION WORKSHOPS AND HAS TAKEN THIS INITIATIVE UNDER HIS WING.
• The historical and ethnographic presentations of the Regional Museum of Murska Sobota focus on the shared heritage of the region, strengthening cross-border identity.
• Smaller local history collections and thematic exhibition spaces bring to life local stories that are familiar to residents on both sides of the border. One such example is the György House in Dobronak, which is a treasure chest preserving local traditions.

The programmes organised in these museums – craft workshops, community days and thematic school activities – attract an increasing number of Hungarian and Slovenian visitors, and could therefore become borderless international meeting points.

Cultural tourism connects the region

The developments of border museums are not isolated investments: today, increasing emphasis is placed on joint thematic routes, digital solutions and shared marketing.

The history of the Kanizsa Castle, the shared Hungarian – Slovenian traditions of the Mura region, or the networking of Ottoman-era locations can create cultural tourism routes that present the history and values of the region in an integrated way.

The results of these programmes may include:

• connecting local communities, as joint cultural developments require joint organisation and cooperation;
• stimulating the economy, as cultural tourism generates multi-day visits;
• strengthening shared identity, as they demonstrate that the history, traditions and values of people living on two or three sides of a border are much more common than separate.

Community, culture and cooperation – an opportunity for a new cultural axis

The development starting in Nagykanizsa and the projects implemented in Slovenian regions together may outline a new cultural axis in the Mura – Drava region. Museums are not merely exhibition venues, but community spaces, meeting points and cultural hubs capable of connecting people, cities and countries.

The border region is therefore becoming more accessible not only geographically but also culturally, as museums can build bridges between communities.

More information about the CROCUS project:

• https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132454/it
• https://crocuseurope.eu
• https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13022258/

As part of the CROCUS project, two stakeholder meetings were held in Nagykanizsa and Kisrécse within the Hungarian–Slovenian Living Lab. Local artists, cultural organisations, and tourism stakeholders came together to exchange ideas, strengthen cooperation, and establish new partnerships through the CROCUS network.

More information about the CROCUS project:

• https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132454/it
• https://crocuseurope.eu
• https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13022258/

On 12 June 2026, the University of Pannonia hosted the professional conference “Innovation Networks in Tourism.” The event served as the closing conference of an international project focusing on innovation networks, funded by the Visegrad Fund.

During the event, participants had the opportunity to learn about best practices from both international and domestic tourism-related networks. The conference was opened by Dr. Katalin Lőrincz, Habil., Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Pannonia, and Vesna Milovanovic (University of Kragujevac), consortium leader of the project entitled „Empowering Open Innovation Tourism Networks”. In her opening remarks, Dr. Katalin Lőrincz emphasized that, despite rapid technological development, personal meetings and professional events remain highly important. Referring to the research activities carried out at the Faculty of Business and Economics, she highlighted that the Balaton Tourism Research Centre organizes a professional conference every year, providing an excellent platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and engage in collaborative thinking. In her welcome speech, Vesna Milovanovic presented the background of the project and the process of establishing international cooperation. The conference was also attended by Karolina Janik, representative of the Visegrad Fund, who provided information on available funding opportunities and application schemes.

During the first part of the event, which was attended by approximately fifty professionals, participants were able to listen to presentations from the destinations involved in the project.  Representing Serbia, Vesna Milovanovic shared the best practices of Vrnjačka Banja, a destination renowned for its health tourism. This was followed by a presentation from Krzysztof Borodako and Michał Rudnicki (Krakow University of Economics), who introduced the Kraków Network, a collaborative network focusing on the MICE market. From the Czech project partner, the Technical University of Liberec, Lenka Cervová presented the tourism development practices of the Crystal Valley region, where local artisan glassmaking plays a central role in the destination’s tourism offer.

Representing the University of Pannonia, Judit Sulyok and Eszter Madarász presented the results of a survey conducted among members of the Balatoni Kör, a network of tourism and gastronomy stakeholders around Lake Balaton. In the second part of the conference, participants gained further insight into the operation of two Hungarian tourism networks. Szilvia Kovács, Head of Balaton Uplands Local Action Group, introduced the network and informed participants about current funding opportunities. Dóra Kanizsai-Nagy delivered an insightful presentation on the latest developments related to Veszprém–Balaton European Region of Sport 2026.

Later in the day, experts participated in a workshop and roundtable discussion focusing on the potential impacts of reduced working hours on tourism and leisure consumption. Thanks to the Balatoni Kör, participants also had the opportunity to taste BalatonBor, a regional wine brand representing the Lake Balaton wine region. Alongside the professional conference, project partners evaluated the project’s activities and discussed opportunities for future cooperation. As part of the social programme, the project partners joined the Night of Movement initiative and explored the tourism attractions and experiences offered by Veszprém and the Balaton region.

The project is co-financed by the governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund, “Empowering Open Innovation Tourism Network” project (No. 22430273). The fund’s mission is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe. Webpage of the project: https://hit-vb.kg.ac.rs/eoitn/

The presentations delivered at the conference will be available on the website of the Balaton Tourism Research Institute (www.gtk.uni-pannon.hu/batuki) under the News and Events section.

Further information: Dr. Sulyok Judit, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Pannonia (e-mail: sulyok.judit@gtk.uni-pannon.hu)