Credit Agricole Bank supports the award for Ukrainian women-entrepreneurs «Created by Women»

Credit Agricole Bank is traditionally supporting the award for business ladies “Created by Women”. The competition aims to encourage the development of women-run entrepreneurship in Ukraine and awarding the business project. This year, Alexandre Tchesnakoff, Board Member at Credit Agricole, is part of the professional jury panel that will select the winner of the competition.

“Women’s presence in business creates harmony in the decision making and offers multifaceted perspective regarding any situation. Now more than ever the talented individuals with expertise in various fields and desire to develop their business are needed. We are confident that this competition will help business ladies grow and reach the new heights. We thank CCIFU for the project “Created by Women” and the chance to support the Ukrainian business ladies even in the wartime – noted Alexandre Tchesnakoff, Board Member of Credit Agricole Bank.

This year’s winner of “Created by Women” award will get UAH 150 000 for the development of her business, membership in the French-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a trip to Paris, while all the finalists will get monetary prizes and consultancy support from the partner companies.

“In addition to defending the country with arms, the women also confidently run businesses on the home front. Since February 2023, every second PE in Ukraine was opened by women. The number of female entrepreneurs has grown remarkably since early autumn: case in point, women now account for 60% of the new PEs. As a comparison, in 2021, businesses founded by women accounted for 49% of the total number of the new businesses. Female leadership is becoming mainstream in Ukraine and we are happy to join in on this unstoppable process. I wish the Ukrainian women belief in themselves and enthusiasm, I also encourage entrepreneurs to not miss their chance to submit application for our competition — all of you are worthy of victory and support.” – commented Maud Joseph, Head of the French-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“A woman entrepreneur has to simultaneously take on several social roles while being under a certain pressure from society, which complicates her job. It is due to this gender imbalance that we see potential in emphasizing the development of female-run business and extend our full support to the “Created by Women 2024” award on behalf of the French Embassy.” – comments Gaël Veyssière, ambassador of France to Ukraine.

Application for the competition can be submitted by all women who have already founded their business in any field. The applications are accepted until March 24, 2024.

The jury panel will consider applications based on the following criteria — originality and reasoning for the project, strategic thinking and the quality of the business plan, as well as the presentation quality. Those participants who score the most points will advance to the next tour – interviews with the jury.

In addition to the grand prix, the finalists can look forward to the special prizes from the French-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry — sponsor-members of the Chamber allocate between UAH 25,000 and UAH 100,000 for this purpose.

About the French-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFU):

The French-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded in 1994. The CCIFU today represents more than 150 French companies, as well as enterprises under French management: from SMEs to large international groups. The main goal of the body is the development of trade relations between Ukraine and France.

The strength of the Chamber’s business network lies in complementarity of sectors of activity, the relations maintained with the country's authorities as well as the sustained collaboration with the French Embassy.