story by: Rotary Brasil

Over the past decade, the number of female business owners in Brazil has grown ​significantly, representing a cultural shift in which women are increasingly ​recognised for their contributions to economic growth and societal well-being.

In 2014, Brazil had about 7.9 million female entrepreneurs, most of them ​running small businesses, according to Sebrae, a Brazilian small business support ​service. By 2022 that number had surged to more than 10.3 million, with women ​accounting for more than 34% of business owners in the country, according to a ​women’s entrepreneurship survey by Sebrae.

To capitalise on that growth, Rotary clubs in Brazil have promoted women’s ​empowerment through entrepreneurship. The eMe Project, founded by District ​4751 (northern Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo) during the 2020-21 Rotary year, ​aims to instill a culture of entrepreneurship and provide women with skills to ​succeed in business.

The project operates a School of Women Entrepreneurs that offers courses to ​foster innovation, business acumen, and strategic planning. Created during the ​COVID-19 pandemic, classes take place online. Award and certificate ceremonies ​are held in person, hosted by a Rotary club. In addition, lesson videos remain ​available to everyone at youtube.com/@projetoeme.

The programmes for teens and adults have helped numerous people. “It was ​incredible,” says Julia André, one of the winners from the second round of ​training. “The project helped me develop skills as an entrepreneur, in addition to ​the encouragement of the whole team, all the mentoring and lectures. Because I ​won, I had an incentive to help my business grow, and that makes all the ​difference.”

Dalila Lanchin, another winner, adds: “It was more than a financial mentorship; it ​helped me to look to the future.”

Every year, about 140 women enroll. Winners receive financial aid and ongoing ​mentoring to help scale their ventures, ensuring that the impact of the eMe ​Project extends beyond the classroom. So far, 39 women have won awards, and ​420 people have benefited from the project.

The effort involves more than 30 volunteers connected to Rotary and 70 ​speakers, mentors, and jury members who rank the participants’ achievements ​and give feedback throughout the process.

Initially, the district’s Rotary members promoted the learning opportunity ​through word of mouth in communities, schools, and universities. As partners ​came on board, they publicised registration through social networks.

The project also has its own store with mugs, shirts, keychains, and pens with the ​eMe logo. The profits go toward maintenance of the project and its awards.

The initiative has led to an unexpected benefit. Some participants, impressed by ​their experience, have been interested in joining Rotary, says Thamyres Andrade, ​coordinator of eMe and former Rotaract representative of District 4751.

Further south in Santos, another Rotary initiative put women’s entrepreneurship ​in the spotlight. The first Notáveis Day (Remarkable Day), organised by District ​4420 Rotaract clubs in partnership with public relations students, celebrated ​female entrepreneurs by showcasing their products, services, and achievements. ​It included workshops, panels, and lectures for the public.

Roberta Schneider Cecyn, 2023-24 president of the Rotaract Club of Santos-​Porto, emphasises the importance of recognising and supporting women in ​business through efforts like Remarkable Day.

The event is an offshoot of the project Notáveis Mulheres (Remarkable Women), ​created by Cecyn and a friend because they felt women in their city did not ​receive enough recognition. The two created a workshop to instruct women and ​girls on issues such as physical and mental health and basic rights. According to ​Cecyn, the initiative promotes a social environment where women are valued ​and recognised.

Starting your own business requires a solid vocational education. The Rotary ​Club of Ipatinga is offering vocational training to 70 women in vulnerable ​situations through its initiative Aprender para Empreender (Learning for ​Entrepreneurship).

The nine-month programme provides free courses in manicure and pedicure, ​hairstyling, care for older people, and electrical installation. The courses are ​offered in partnership with an educational institute.

The initiative provides psychological support, and at the end of the programme ​the Ipatinga club supplies the women with a kit of materials to help them start ​working.

The project partners with a school and received funding through a global grant ​from The Rotary Foundation. “The main function of our club is to support these ​women for the next six months either in finding employment or to help with ​their professional development,” says Maria Cândida Corrêa, coordinator of the ​project. “Our goal is to have at least 90% employed by the end of the ​programme.”

The impact of these varied initiatives in Brazil goes beyond economic outcomes. ​In empowering women to become entrepreneurs, these programs contribute to ​broader societal goals of gender equity and social inclusion. By showcasing ​success stories and providing platforms for women to thrive, Rotary and its ​partners are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.