WOW – Young Women Leading our World in Circular Economy
KA220-YOU – Cooperation partnerships in youth
Project Duration: October 2025 – September 2027
Coordinator: Universitatea Dunarea de Jos din Galati, Romania
Partners: Ireland, France, Bulgaria, Türkiye and Portugal
Project Overview
WOW aims to develop leadership among young women, with a focus on sustainability, circular economy and gender equality. The project strengthens the capacity of youth workers to support young women in sustainability leadership through training, mentoring, non-formal education, community intervention actions and the creation of the WOW Sustainability Network.
Objectives
- Enhance leadership and sustainability skills of young women aged 18–25 in the circular economy.
- Strengthen youth workers’ capacity to support young women in sustainability leadership.
- Increase youth-led sustainability initiatives at community level.
- Create a sustainable network of young female leaders in the circular economy.
Main Outputs
- Online Map of Gender Equality and Circular Economy Organisations.
- WOW Empowerment workshops for youth workers and staff.
- Community of Practice and WOW Sustainability Network.
- Training materials, mentoring resources and reports.
- Community Intervention Actions led by young women.
- Grow and WOW Festival showcasing participants’ achievements.
Background
Women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles linked to sustainability, innovation and the circular economy. At the same time, many young women face barriers such as limited access to networks, lack of role models and fewer opportunities to develop leadership skills in emerging green sectors.
WOW addresses these challenges by empowering young women to become active leaders in the transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy. The project combines capacity building, mentoring, peer learning and community engagement to help participants gain confidence, develop practical skills and create positive change within their communities.
Target Groups
Primary Target Group
- Young women aged 18–25 interested in sustainability, leadership and social innovation.
Secondary Target Group
- Youth workers, trainers and staff working with young people.
- Youth organisations and community groups.
- Stakeholders active in sustainability, circular economy and gender equality.
Expected Impact
By the end of the project, WOW aims to:
- Increase young women’s participation in sustainability leadership.
- Improve knowledge and understanding of circular economy principles.
- Strengthen youth organisations’ capacity to support female leadership.
- Foster local sustainability initiatives led by young women.
- Create lasting international networks promoting gender equality and green transition.
- Encourage greater participation of women in decision-making processes related to sustainability and community development.
Key Activities
- International partner meetings.
- Development of educational and training resources.
- Empowerment workshops.
- Community intervention projects.
- Mentoring and networking activities.
- Awareness-raising campaigns.
- Grow & WOW Festival.
- Dissemination events at local, national and European level.