Final Conference & Toolkit Launch of the Politik-Her Project
On 10 September 2025, Brussels, Belgium hosted Voices of a Generation: Young Women for Change – the Final Conference and Toolkit Launch of the Politik-Her project, at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The event brought together young women leaders, civil society organisations, institutional representatives, and local authorities for a day filled with inspiration, reflection, and concrete tools to advance inclusive leadership and strengthen gender equality and human rights across Europe.
The conference opened with welcoming words from Irina Socrescu (CPE) and Sif Holst (EESC), who reminded participants of the urgency of amplifying young women’s voices in political and social life. This was followed by a reflection on two years of the Politik-Her journey, with Eve Pet presenting the achievements and milestones that shaped the project.
One of the most powerful moments of the day came from the young women who had taken part in the pilot projects.
Their presentations highlighted the creativity, courage, and commitment that have been at the heart of Politik-Her, turning ideas into real actions for change in their communities.
The roundtable Her Path to Leadership, moderated by Camilla Vedovato (ALDA), provided an opportunity for speakers such as Vanessa Bocchi, Elif Avcı, Ana De Alos De Llanza (Diputació de Barcelona) and others to explore systemic barriers, cultural diversity, and the ways in which younger generations are redefining leadership models in more inclusive and collective terms.
Another key milestone of the day was the launch of the Politik-Her Toolkit by Roberta Bonacossa (Project School), offering concrete methodologies, resources, and guidance to replicate the project’s practices across Europe. The conference also featured a presentation of ALDA’s Gender, Inclusion and Human Rights Hub by Sara Afendi, sparking a lively exchange of experiences and good practices among participants.
The closing session invited everyone to engage in self-reflection through the Identity Wheel exercise and to share final feedback, creating a powerful sense of connection and solidarity among participants. As one participant said:
“Listening to women should not be optional.”
Another added:
“You’re not too young – you are exactly what democracy needs.”
The day concluded with gratitude to all those who made this journey possible – the young women participants, the speakers, the partners, and the many colleagues behind the scenes. More than a conclusion, the event marked a new beginning: a renewed commitment to building inclusive, participatory democracies where young women can continue to lead change.
