Galway Traveller Movement’s Empowering Traveller Women’s Entrepreneurs project (ETWE ) has launched a new publication this week targeted at enterprise support organisations serious about working with Traveller women.
The toolkit, entitled Traveller Beoirs Mean Business, was launched on Monday April 30 in the Ballybane Enterprise Centre by some of the participants on Galway Traveller Movement’s (GTM ) enterprise programme for women.
The toolkit targets enterprise agencies so that their programmes can better attract and support Traveller women. Margaret O’Riada, GTM co-ordinator, explains that a Traveller Enterprise Development Unit (TEDU ) was established to develop social enterprises and a range of supports for Traveller entrepreneurs.
“We intend that by 2020 the Traveller economy in Galway city and county will be flourishing. It is an integral part of our ongoing strategy to ensure that Travellers will be part of an ever widening range of innovative community businesses and private enterprises,” she said.
Since its formation, GTM has been committed to creating opportunities for both Traveller women and men within its enterprise development strategy. Recognising that specific measures would be needed to meet the needs of Traveller women, GTM made a successful application to Pobal under the Equality for Women Measure to support Traveller women to establish or expand their business.
Any enterprise or support agency interested in the toolkit should contact Tanya Lalor of the Galway Traveller Movement on 091 765390.
