The Women In Blue Economy Intelligence Gathering and Capacity Boosting (WIN-BIG) project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing gender disparities in the European Blue Economy sector.
Project Overview
- Full Name: Women In Blue Economy Intelligence Gathering and Capacity Boosting
- Funding: European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)
- Budget: € 1.32101 Million
- Duration: May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2026
- Coordinator: University of Aveiro
Key Objectives
The blue economy sector remains predominantly male-dominated, with women representing only 29% of the overall workforce and often occupying the lowest-paid, lowest-status positions. WIN-BIG aims to tackle this imbalance by focusing on three highly technological emerging sectors:
- Blue Bioeconomy
- Blue Sports and Sustainable Tourism
- Marine Energy and Robotics
Over its three-year duration, WIN-BIG will:
- Provide comprehensive datasets on gender representation across all six EU sea basins (Atlantic, Mediterranean, Baltic, North, Arctic, and Black Sea)
- Identify skills gaps hindering women’s career entry and progression
- Develop female- and sea basin-oriented learning labs, acceleration programs, and networking events
- Create communication materials to promote female role models in emerging blue economy sectors
Activities
- Data Collection: Gathering accurate and comprehensive data on gender representation and women’s roles in the blue economy.
- Skills Gap Analysis: Identifying barriers preventing women from entering or advancing in the sector.
- Capacity Building: Organising learning labs, acceleration programs, and networking events tailored to women’s needs.
- Role Model Promotion: Develop exclusive communication materials to highlight female success stories in the sector.
Partnership
WIN-BIG operates through a strong partnership that extends beyond EU borders, aiming to advance knowledge on gender issues within the blue economy and present innovative solutions to support women’s career development.
Contact Information
For more information about the WIN-BIG project or to explore collaboration opportunities:
- Website: https://winbigproject.eu/
- LinkedIn:(https://www.linkedin.com/c
- X: https://x.com/WINBIG_EU
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winbigproject
WIN-BIG represents a significant step towards gender equality in the blue economy, promising to drive innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth in Europe’s maritime sectors.