SMEs are the main driver of economic growth in Albania and job creation. The involvement of women in business is a potential that should be exploited for further growth of the country's economy as well as self-employment and economic empowerment of women.

According to INSTAT 2019 1 , women manage / own 25.7% of 2018 total active businesses out of 29.7% on 2017 with a drop of 4 percentage points. Tirana prefecture has the largest concentration of businesses leaded by women, with 41.4%. Businesses managed by women are mainly businesses with 1-4 employed and represent 91.2% of the total number of businesses lead by women. However, 19.6% of businesses with 50 or more employed are managed or owned by women. Further, 84% of businesses led by women are service activities mostly in trade and 86.7% of them have legal form as a natural person.

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1. IPARD Program
2. Program for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Albania
3. Women in Business Program
4. IDEA Project
5. IDEA Grant Scheme. For entrepreneurs’ aspirants
6. Start-up Fund by Yunus Albania
7. Start-Up Fund by AIDA
8. Creative Economy Fund
9. Innovation Fund
10. Competitiveness Fund
11. “Start-up” Fund by Tirana Municipality

Business and Investment Development Strategy in Albania and the action plan for the period 2014-2020

The action plan to support women entrepreneurs in Albania 2014-2020

The Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan focuses on three main areas: entrepreneurship education, removing barriers to starting a business, and revolutionizing the culture of entrepreneurship among young people. For more here

WEgate - European Gateway for Women's Entrepreneurship

SEECEL Women Entrepreneurs Documents.