Equilibrium is a mentoring programme of the British Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic designed to support, inspire, and empower women in their professional and personal development.  

This year we are happy to organise already the 14th edition of this 10 months long mentoring programme that has already become a tradition and widely known initiative in the Czech business environment. Its popularity and remarkable results have immensely contributed to the success of the British Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic as a whole and they have transformed the Chamber to a “frontrunner” in many aspects of women development in the Czech Republic. Therefore, the Equilibrium programme also serves as an additional platform to acquire new members for the Chamber and it constitutes another significant networking opportunity for the Chamber Members’ network.  

 Important to say, the British Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic has found a great inspiration in the United Kingdom for this programme, since the UK can definitely be regarded as a trendsetter when it comes to inclusion and equality at a workplace. With this unique programme based on the best practices from the UK, the British Chamber of Commerce is constantly aspiring to cultivate the Czech business environment by the best of the British values and to act as a role model for the other Chambers in the country.  

 The Equilibrium programme connects women with experienced mentors to guide them in achieving their career and personal goals and offers tailored support through one-on-one mentoring sessions, group workshops, and networking events. In 2023 only, the programme facilitated over 500 mentoring sessions and conducted 20 workshops attended by more than 300 participants. 

In order to increase its impact even more, Equilibrium collaborates with various Chambers of Commerce and business associations in the Czech Republic, organising joint events, sharing resources, and creating platforms for knowledge exchange. Over the past two years, Equilibrium has co-hosted 15 events with local Chambers, attracting over 1 000 attendees. 

 As regards the impact on the local communities, by empowering women, Equilibrium contributes to more inclusive and diverse workplaces. In the past year, this prominent programme has supported over 200 women, with 75% reporting significant career advancements. Local businesses have noted improved workplace dynamics and increased innovation as a result of their employees’ participation. To give an example how Equilibriums positively contributes to the development of Czech regions as well, one should mention a mentee who started her own business and is employing 20 people from her community at the moment.  

Equilibrium employs several effective commercialisation strategies, including forming partnerships with leading corporations such as Google, Vodafone, and Barclays. These partnerships provide financial support, resources, and expertise. For example, a partnership with Vodafone has led to a 30% increase in membership due to a digital platform for virtual mentoring sessions. Moreover, the British Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic has also managed to gain a patronage of some prominent Czech celebrities with significant social media reach which has strongly benefitted the prestige of the programme as such too.  

Concerning the Member Recruitment and Engagement, Equilibrium’s strategies include clear and attractive communication of its value proposition through various social media channels (mainly LinkedIn and Facebook), newsletters (special Equilibrium newsletter as well as the weekly newsletter of the Chamber called “The Tube”), and events.  

Equilibrium’s success is also attributed to its robust network of partnerships and collaborations. Notable collaborations include partnerships with Google for technological support and training, and Barclays for financial literacy workshops benefiting over 150 women entrepreneurs and small business owners. Furthermore, Equilibrium stands out for its innovative approach to mentoring and community impact. Virtual mentoring sessions, online resources, and digital networking platforms ensure great accessibility even for women from the regions far away from the Czech capital. Equilibrium exemplifies how structured mentoring, strategic collaborations, and innovative practices can empower individuals and drive community development. By supporting women, fostering collaboration with various Chambers, and employing effective commercialisation strategies, Equilibrium creates a lasting impact on its members and the local community, contributing to a more diverse, inclusive and cultivated business landscape. 

Equilibrium exemplifies how structured mentoring, strategic collaborations, and innovative practices can empower individuals and drive community development. By supporting women, fostering collaboration with various Chambers, and employing effective commercialisation strategies, Equilibrium creates a lasting impact on its members and the local community, contributing to a more diverse, inclusive and cultivated business landscape.