By Katrin Echtermeyer | Wisamar, Germany
In a time of rapid societal transformation, the call for more inclusive and resilient communities has never been louder. Across Europe, migrant women remain one of the most underrepresented yet promising groups in the labour market. EmpowerHer sets out to change that—not only through targeted skill-building but by creating structural change in how societies and labour markets approach integration.
A shared european challenge
The integration of migrant women is not a national issue; it is a shared European responsibility. While country-specific data—such as Germany’s 22.3 million residents with a migration background—provide context, the underlying challenges are consistent across borders: qualified women are often excluded from meaningful employment due to systemic barriers.
Language obstacles, unfamiliar social systems, and lack of targeted support lead many migrant women into precarious, part-time, or underqualified roles. At the same time, European labour markets are facing an acute skills shortage—Germany alone reports over half a million vacant positions. The disconnect is clear: while skilled women are eager to contribute, the structures to support their inclusion remain fragmented.
From skills gaps to systemic change
To adress this, EmpowerHer brings together six organisations from five European countries—Germany, Portugal, France, Cyprus, and Spain —in the project team. The goal is to close this gap from multiple angles—through skills development, inclusive teaching, employer outreach, and public awareness.
Rather than expecting migrant women to simply “catch up,” the project will promote a model of mutual adaptation: building the capacities of adult educators and workplaces, while supporting women to grow their skills and confidence. The aim is not only to prepare women for the labour market, but to ensure the labour market is prepared to welcome them.
A team that embodies diversity
EmpowerHer is not only a European project in scope—it is shaped by a team that lives and breathes intercultural experience. Many of the professionals involved have themselves lived, worked, or studied in countries other than their own. This shared international perspective informs the project’s approach and fosters a deep commitment to empathy, cultural openness, and collaboration across borders.
Working in multilingual, intercultural teams is more than a practical reality—it is a strength. It allows the project to develop solutions that are grounded in cultural sensitivity and shaped by diverse realities. This internal diversity reflects the values EmpowerHer stands for: mutual respect, adaptability, and inclusive growth.
Three pillars of action
1. Building skills through tailored learning
Every woman brings a unique set of experiences, goals, and strengths. EmpowerHer will create flexible, accessible, and empowering learning opportunities—both for migrant women and those who support them.
A central element will be a six-module training programme for adult educators, designed to strengthen their capacity to teach soft skills effectively. The training will incorporate human-centred, practice-oriented methods tailored to the needs of migrant learners. Educators from all five partner countries will take part in a transnational training event to test the programme, and their feedback will shape the final course version.
Migrant women themselves will benefit from two key tools: a revised version of the ProfilPASS to help identify and articulate their (hidden) potential, and a gamified web app to support soft skill development in an interactive, low-barrier way. These tools will empower women to take ownership of their personal and professional development.
2. Fostering collaboration across sectors
True inclusion requires cooperation. That’s why EmpowerHer will build dialogue between migrant women and key labour market stakeholders.
A comprehensive onboarding toolkit will offer resources and guidelines for employers to support inclusive recruitment and workplace integration. To deepen this exchange, the project will host 20 information events across Europe, creating spaces where migrant women can meet potential employers, learn about job opportunities, and explore career paths in person.
3. Promoting inclusion beyond employment
Integration is more than employment. It is also about visibility, recognition, and belonging.
An international awareness campaign will give migrant women the opportunity to share their stories—not just their successes, but their everyday struggles, barriers, and hopes for the future. These perspectives will be captured in video portraits and other multimedia formats across all partner countries, highlighting the diversity and humanity behind the statistics.
The campaign will challenge stereotypes and shift the public narrative by showing migrant women as agents of change, not just beneficiaries of support.
A sustainable vision
What sets EmpowerHer apart is its commitment to long-term impact. The project will not offer one-size-fits-all solutions but will build an ecosystem of support based on real needs, collaboration, and inclusion. By combining personalised learning, inclusive employment practices, and cross-sector cooperation, EmpowerHer aims to contribute to a more cohesive and diverse Europe.
Rather than offering quick fixes, the project will lay the foundation for ongoing dialogue and practical change—bringing us closer to a society where migrant women can thrive, contribute meaningfully, and truly belong.
