WIN Innovation Groups: Vehicles of Positive Change for Women

The WIN Innovation Groups are working together to address gender equality and employment challenges across seven regions. By combining a shared methodology with local adaptability, these groups are uncovering creative solutions to empower women and foster social innovation.

Exploring Challenges, Sparking Solutions

The first phase of our journey focused on identifying the unique challenges faced by women in each region. Through collaborative meetings, participants, including employers, NGO leaders, researchers, and public officials, mapped pressing issues such as barriers to employment, digital exclusion, and underrepresentation in STEM fields.

Each group tailored its approach to its local context, fostering inclusive discussions that set the stage for innovative thinking. Despite differences in regional priorities, the groups share a commitment to creating impactful, sustainable opportunities for women.

Emerging Ideas for Social Innovation

Through brainstorming and collaboration, the groups have developed a range of exciting ideas aimed at empowering women and supporting their communities:

Women’s Networks: Creating platforms for female entrepreneurs, supporting rural women in crafts and food production, and fostering collaborations with businesses.
STEM for Girls: Inspiring young women to pursue STEM careers through targeted school programs, mentoring, and digital campaigns.
Skills and Support: Offering training in digital marketing, social entrepreneurship, and leadership, alongside peer mentoring groups for mutual support.
Creative Education: Utilizing platforms like TikTok to promote learning and tying training programs to local employment needs.

Strategic Choices ahead

In February 2025, each group will take a significant step forward by selecting one or two ideas to test on the ground. This strategic choice will focus on solutions that show the most promise in terms of viability, usefulness, and long-term impact for the women they aim to support.

Testing these ideas will allow the groups to assess their practical effectiveness and refine them based on real-world feedback. This phase is crucial in ensuring the innovations not only address immediate needs but also have the potential for broader application and sustainability.

Join the Movement

Are you interested in learning more about the work of the WIN Innovation Groups or collaborating on initiatives that support women’s employability and employment?

We welcome new ideas, partnerships, and contributions to help drive positive change for women in our regions.

For more information or to explore opportunities for collaboration, please reach out to:

Dr. Lachezar Afrikanov

Contact Point for WIN Innovation Groups

lafrikanov@gmail.com