In-depth article: From conversations to change: Empowering women in Trbovlje

Women in peripheral industrial regions often face a complex combination of structural and social barriers that shape their career paths. Limited opportunities, persistent stereotypes, and a lack of visible role models influence not only access to employment but also confidence, decision-making, and the range of perceived possibilities.

This is particularly visible in regions like Zasavje, and especially in Trbovlje, where the local economy has historically been shaped by mining and heavy industry - sectors that were traditionally male-dominated. This legacy still influences how work, roles, and opportunities are perceived today.

In Trbovlje, these challenges were addressed through a series of activities that focused on experience-sharing, open dialogue, and active participation. Instead of just sharing information, the aim was to create spaces where people could talk openly, reflect on their experiences, and connect with others.

Supporting early career choices

One part of the activities focused on high school students, especially young women who are still deciding on their future paths. The career day brought together 17 participants, aiming to provide them with the opportunity to hear firsthand experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the range of opportunities available to them. 

Using the “living library” approach, students spoke directly with professionals from different fields, including entrepreneurship and STEM. This created space for open conversations, where they could ask questions, share doubts, and reflect on their own interests.

Speakers talked not only about successes, but also about challenges and changes along the way. This helped students see that career paths are rarely straightforward and that it’s okay not to have everything figured out from the start.

This was also reflected in their feedback. As one student said, “the event helped me realise that my decision about university is not final and that I still have many different options.” Others said they gained new insights into entrepreneurship and different career paths, and started thinking more about how their future choices connect with their personal interests.

The event also included creative and interactive activities, which encouraged students to think more openly about their strengths and aspirations.

Creating space for dialogue and exchange

One of the central activities featured the Entrepreneurial Breakfast, which gathered 36 participants, including women entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and representatives of local support organisations. The event fostered an open and supportive environment, encouraging participants to share their personal and professional experiences. 

The discussion highlighted that entrepreneurship is rarely a linear process. Participants spoke about the importance of persistence, learning through failure, and adapting to changing circumstances. A recurring message was that taking the first step, even without certainty, is often the most important part of the journey.

The event showed how valuable the community can be. Participants exchanged contacts, talked about shared challenges, and identified opportunities for collaboration.

At the same time, several common challenges came up: pricing their work, gaining visibility, managing time, and dealing with administrative procedures. These issues are not just individual problems, but reflect the wider conditions in which women build their businesses.

These discussions became a starting point for more practical, solution-focused work.

From discussion to practical solutions

The Entrepreneurial Hackathon united 30 participants and directly built on discussions from the Entrepreneurial Breakfast, shifting the focus to developing concrete solutions. It gathered women at various stages of their entrepreneurial journeys and addressed key challenges that had surfaced in previous conversations.

Participants worked in groups on topics such as pricing and valuing their work, visibility, time management, and navigating administrative requirements. These were real challenges that many of them face in their everyday work.

With support from mentors, participants exchanged ideas, tested different approaches, and worked on solutions they could actually use in their own situations. The collaborative format made it easier to learn from each other and build trust.

This was an important shift — from talking about challenges to actively working on solutions. At the same time, it strengthened connections between participants and highlighted the importance of mutual support.

Key insights and lessons learned

Several important insights came out of these activities.

First, direct, in-person engagement proved to be the most effective way to reach and involve participants. Activities that encouraged interaction, discussion, and practical work generated higher levels of engagement and more meaningful outcomes. 

Second, the use of real-life experiences and personal stories played a key role in raising awareness. Participants connected more with personal experiences and examples than with general information.

Finally, local networks played a key role. Working with schools, organisations, and local partners made it easier to reach people and ensured better participation.

Impact of the campaign

The activities helped raise awareness about the challenges women face in the labour market, but also offered practical support through knowledge-sharing and networking.

Participants gained confidence, motivation, and a clearer sense of their next steps. Younger participants were exposed to new possibilities. The activities provided valuable exposure to different career options and helped challenge existing stereotypes, while entrepreneurs gained useful insights and connections. 

At the community level, the campaign strengthened connections between individuals and organisations, creating a foundation for continued collaboration beyond the project. The combination of events and communication activities also ensured that key messages reached a wider audience.

Conclusion

Improving the position of women in the labour market requires more than just information. It requires spaces where people can share experiences, ask questions, and work through challenges together.

The WIN awareness-raising campaign in Zasavje demonstrated the importance of combining dialogue, practical engagement, and storytelling when addressing complex social challenges.

By creating opportunities for interaction and exchange, the campaign supported women in reflecting on their experiences, building confidence, and exploring new possibilities. At the same time, it contributed to a broader understanding of the conditions that shape women’s participation in the labour market.

The outcomes of the campaign highlight the value of locally grounded, participatory approaches in fostering both individual empowerment and collective change.