The “Women in Manufacturing” project is a European leadership and network programme focused on addressing the gender gap in the manufacturing sector, where women are significantly underrepresented due to persistent stereotypes and limited visibility of STEM career opportunities. The initiative was piloted and rolled out across seven countries — Spain, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, and Ireland — targeting women in technical and managerial roles within the manufacturing industry. Through tailored leadership training, mentoring, and community building, the programme helped raise awareness of gender disparity, empowered women to lead, and improved the image of manufacturing as a viable career path for all.
From 2024 to 2035, the network is evolving through the STARDA 2 initiative, scaling its impact across the EU with the aim to foster inclusive innovation, fairer workplaces, and greater female participation in the green and digital transformation of manufacturing sectors.