Active Citizenship: Cooperation for high-quality leadership development for women change-makers

The project aimed to establish a solid foundation for future transnational collaboration, with focus on high-quality adult learning opportunities, especially for 15 women leaders including disadva...

The project aimed to establish a solid foundation for future transnational collaboration, with focus on high-quality adult learning opportunities, especially for 15 women leaders including disadvantaged women. The objectives included transferring know-how between partners in integral leadership, EU project management, leadership program design for women, and enhancing visibility and outreach. Key results envisioned were effective cooperation structures, a ACE Women’s Leadership program for 15 women leaders from the non-profit sector, including public administration and academia, from 10 EU countries. The ACE program provided participants with competencies for transcultural communication and leadership, and fostered inclusion, diversity, and civic participation. The selection criteria took into consideration geographic and economic disadvantages women face. We consider that women working in the non-profit sector are disadvantaged compared to women in the corporate sectors and that participants from Central European (Czech Republic) and Eastern European countries (Bulgaria) are economically disadvantaged compared to their colleagues from Nordic Europe or Western Europe.

Establishment of effective collaboration structures that facilitate transfer of know-how between participating organizations. Design of the ACE Women’s Leadership Program for women in the non-profit sector. It involved curating content and design of experiential methodologies adequate to the unique challenges in this sector. Preparation and Delivery of its onsite (5 days) component for a cohort of 15 women from 10 EU countries. Preparation and delivery of welcome online session and two online modules, designed for live, synchronous interaction focused on fostering collaboration and networking among participants, and deepening the skills learned during the on-site. We piloted the use of the innovative digital facilitation platform Butter. Outreach and visibility activities to ensure the ACE program's visibility in social media, email campaigns and direct outreach (via email and phone calls) to individuals, key stakeholders and potential strategic partners. Establishment of sustainable partnerships (incl. communication strategies and outreach to potential partners, nurturing partnerships and brainstorming and submitting applications for funding for future joint initiatives). Project management, M&E….

1. Blended (online + onsite) leadership program (ACE) for women leaders who work in academia, public administration and the non-profit sectors was designed. This involved creating content and methodologies addressing their unique challenges and leadership dynamics. 2. ACE program was delivered for a cohort of 15 women (nationals and/or residents of 10 EU countries - AT, BE, BG, CZ, GE, IE, IT, PL, ES, SE) in a retreat center in South Germany. 3. Online modules of the ACE program were designed and delivered on an innovative digital platform (Butter). The modules focused on transfer of insights and competencies developed during the onsite program into day-to-day routines of participants. 4. Strategies for enhancing program visibility, partnerships, and ensuring the program's growth and impact implemented. This resulted in improved outreach capabilities and applications for external funding, incl. successful application for a leadership program for women in North Macedonia. 5. Knowledge sharing, and transfer, and capacity development of partner organizations, incl. A CRM system to administer applications and outreach. These activities collectively aimed at ensuring the long-term impact and sustainability of the program.