The UPCOMING WOMEN project was initiated in response to the persistent gender inequalities that continue to affect women globally, particularly those with low skills or in vulnerable situations. Despite various efforts, no EU Member State has yet achieved full gender equality, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these disparities. The project recognizes the urgent need to equip women with global competences that allow them to thrive in an increasingly complex and multicultural world. It also acknowledges that professionals working with these women require enhanced tools and methodologies to support their empowerment. By leveraging global competence and mentorship, the project aims to foster social and labor inclusion for women who are often marginalized due to factors such as migration, gender-based violence, trafficking, or rural isolation.

PROJECT PROGRAMME
The project is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme under the action KA220-ADU - Cooperation Partnerships in Adult Education. It was implemented over a period of 24 months, from November 1, 2021, to November 1, 2023. The project was coordinated by the Right to Childhood Foundation (Bulgaria) in partnership with organisations from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Türkiye.

PROJECT AIM
The main aim of the UPCOMING WOMEN project is to empower low-skilled women in vulnerable situations by enhancing their global competence and facilitating their social and labor inclusion. Additionally, the project seeks to equip professionals working with these women, such as educators, trainers, social workers, and counselors with gender-sensitive digital tools and mentoring methodologies to better support their development.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the project are to: Empowering and upskilling low-skilled and vulnerable women to increase their global competence and enhance their participation in society and the labor market.
Upskilling professionals by providing them with innovative, globally competent, and gender-based digital tools and mentoring methodologies. Raise awareness about gender inequalities and contribute to the advancement of gender equality. Fostering a transnational network of organisations from Bulgaria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Turkey to promote innovation, transferability, and sustainability of project outcomes.

PROJECT TARGET GROUP
The primary target group includes low-skilled women facing various forms of vulnerability, such as migrants, survivors of gender-based discrimination and violence, survivors of human trafficking, and women from rural areas. A secondary target group consists of professionals working in the field of adult education and social services, trainers, educators, social workers, counselors, and related staff who support these women.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES
The project implemented a variety of activities to achieve its goals. These included project management and quality assurance activities to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the project. A robust impact assessment was carried out to evaluate the effects of the project on the target groups and stakeholders. The project developed three key intellectual outputs: Interactive Microlearning Courses on global competence for women and professionals, Experimental Workshops to equip professionals with digital tools, and a bespoke Mentoring Programme to help women gain confidence and competence for social and labor inclusion. To disseminate the results and broaden the project’s reach, five national multiplier webinars and one final international event were organized. Ongoing dissemination and promotion activities ensured visibility and engagement at local, national, and international levels. Finally, sustainability actions were designed to guarantee the long-term exploitation and impact of the project results beyond its completion.

For more information about the project and its results, please visit the project website: https://upcomingwomen.eu