Five-week initiative in Sharjah trains participants in freelancing, entrepreneurship and digital business skills.

NAMA Women Advancement has concluded the first edition of its “Digital Economy and Freelancing Skills Programme”, aimed at preparing women for career opportunities in the rapidly expanding digital and freelance sectors.

Held at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park from 21 April to 20 May, the five-week programme brought together 31 participants for intensive practical training focused on entrepreneurship, digital tools and freelance readiness.

The initiative concluded with a final showcase where participants presented business concepts and digital projects before a panel of industry experts and mentors.

According to Mariam Al Hammadi, the programme was designed to help women develop the skills needed to navigate the changing employment landscape shaped by the digital economy.

“The rapid expansion of the digital economy is reshaping how people work, build careers and generate income,” she said, adding that preparing women to adapt confidently to these changes is essential for strengthening economic participation and expanding access to sustainable professional opportunities.

Throughout the programme, participants received hands-on training in digital business development, marketing, entrepreneurship and professional branding. Sessions focused on helping women transform ideas into viable business models while building stronger online professional identities and exploring flexible income opportunities aligned with evolving labour market demands.

The final presentations reflected a wide range of interests and industries, including technology, sustainability, tourism, healthcare, food, fashion and heritage-based entrepreneurship.

Among the projects presented were a digital platform connecting students and academics with investors, a modest fashion brand, a healthy food concept, a community exchange platform designed to reduce waste through a points-based system, and a digital booking platform for educational and tourism experiences in Sharjah.

Other concepts included a traditional dessert hospitality service, contemporary handicrafts inspired by local heritage, a mental health and wellbeing consultancy, a gifting platform linked to motivational content, and an on-demand home maintenance service focused on improving customer experience.

Participants received graduation certificates from PricewaterhouseCoopers Academy, reinforcing the programme’s professional value and supporting participants as they move towards launching independent ventures or pursuing freelance careers.

The jury panel included representatives from PwC, Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, Sharjah Business Women Council and Digital Sharjah.

NAMA said the programme forms part of its broader strategy to support women’s economic participation through specialised training, professional development and future-focused skills aligned with the needs of the modern labour market.