The VOC project addresses key social and political challenges faced by young migrant women. Over the past two months, six participants with a migrant background took part in a transformative learning experience, picking up the tools to become involved in and contribute to civic life in Europe in a meaningful way. The project’s webinars addressed essential topics such as civic participation, gender intersectionality, media literacy and women’s political participation. These sessions provided valuable insights and practical strategies to empower participants as positive change advocates in the political and social environments.

A significant milestone in this process was Ikigai Institute’s leadership in organizing and conducting the Women’s Rights and Advocacy in Europe webinar on March 7. This session aimed to provide young migrant women with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate for women’s rights and address challenges within their communities. With close to 100 attendees, the webinar fostered deep reflection on personal experiences and highlighted the essential role these young women can play in building a more equitable and inclusive society.

To enhance the effectiveness of the webinar, a preparatory session was held in a hybrid format at the Ikigai Institute office in Zaragoza, with the participation of 13 people. This session included not only the young women who subsequently participated in the official webinar, but also other key stakeholders and additional young girls. The hybrid approach allowed for greater participation, collection of meaningful feedback and optimization of content to ensure greater impact. In addition, this phase contributed to the spread of the VOC initiative, broadening its reach within the community.

The VOC project continues to be committed to the integration of young migrant women into democratic processes, not only as participants, but also as leaders who influence the decisions that shape their future. The next project meeting in Berlin in June 2025 will bring together partner organizations to define next steps, reinforcing the common goal of continuing to empower these young women with the confidence and skills necessary to lead with impact. Through this initiative, the project seeks to ensure that their voices are heard by policy makers, promoting mutual respect and cultural understanding across Europe.