WOMEN is a transnational project funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Central Europe Programme.
Predominantly rural regions located at the periphery of Central Europe are challenged by a persisting outbound migration especially of young people which leads to skill shortages for the economy and severe consequences for the future demographic development of the area. Statistical data furthermore shows that among those people leaving their home regions, well-educated young women are proportional
ly overrepresented. This in turn results in severe sex-ratio imbalances in the age group of 16-35 years olds challenging the social cohesion. Research has revealed that most women migrate at fairly young ages – often before even entering the employment market – with the ambition to succeed professionally as main reason. At the same time, the employment rate of young women remains below its potentials with many resources still untapped. The creation of better conditions for women seeking a professional career in addition to a family is therefore an important goal of territorial development. WOMEN aims to put a Transnational Strategy and Joint Action Plan into action to combat the brain-drain of well-educated young women from rural regions. Transnational learning and support are regarded as essential elements for a successful delivery of appropriate actions. This main objective goes along with the aims (1) to improve the labour market access of women, their career and leadership opportunities, (2) to enhance so-called pull-factors reducing the proneness of well-educated young women to consider migration, e.g. their home region’s image, social networks, and (3) to capitalise good practices as role-models towards key actors in employment and regional development. The raising of awareness for women potentials and the needs to take early actions amid expectable skill shortages are further goals of WOMEN. Finally, the project aims to impact policies on European and national levels to better assist regions whose economic and demographic development is threatened by brain-drain. WOMEN’s activities are implemented in three phases of transnational cooperation: Building on recommendations resulting from SEMIGRA and good practices in other affected EU regions, a Transnational Strategy is drafted in the first phase to be tested in the second one. Pilot initiatives include a competition and campaign to highlight career opportunities for women in the partner regions, multiplier coaching in companies, and the promotion of social networking among businesswomen. Following a transnational peer review, the learning is processed in the revision of the Transnational Strategy and elaboration of a longer-term Joint Action Plan whose transnational implementation will be governed by a Memorandum of Understanding. Furthermore, awareness raising activities are implemented. Other important outputs are two international dissemination events, stakeholder and target group participation, built capacities, improved career opportunities for women and eventually reduced migration rates.
