Empowering Young Women. Building Inclusive Communities

Leaders for Future is a transnational initiative co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme. The project responds to two of the most urgent challenges facing young people today: the limited access to decent employment and the underrepresentation of youth in democratic processes. Particular attention is given to young women and those from disadvantaged or marginalised communities across Europe, the Western Balkans, and neighbouring regions.

Why Leaders for Future?

Youth unemployment and gender inequalities remain structural problems, limiting the personal and professional development of thousands of young women. Leaders for Future seeks to break down these barriers by promoting gender equality, social inclusion and human rights, while equipping young women with the skills, networks and confidence needed to thrive.

Our Approach

1. CAPACITY BUILDING

We train youth workers to become mentors, supporting young women in developing entrepreneurial skills, leadership, and active citizenship.

2. SUPPORT HUBS

We establish local support points where young women can access guidance, tailored workshops, and peer networks to help them create their own business or social initiatives.

3. AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY

Through public campaigns and community engagement, we promote gender equality, challenge stereotypes, and raise awareness of the importance of women’s leadership.

4. OPPORTUNITIES AND RECOGNITION

We organise national and international competitions to showcase innovative business ideas led by young women, offering them visibility, funding, and networking opportunities.

Our Vision

We believe in a Europe where young women lead change, create opportunities, and actively contribute to more inclusive and democratic societies. By strengthening youth organisations, fostering cross-border cooperation, and empowering young leaders, Leaders for Future contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building fairer, more resilient communities.

OBJECTIVES

The Leaders for Future project aims to empower youth organizations and young women through the following objectives:

  • Strengthen the capacity of youth organizations working with young people outside formal learning by equipping them with specialized training, tools, and methods to establish support points that motivate and assist young women in their social and professional integration.
  • Promote non-formal education and lifelong learning for young women fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and preparing them for active participation in society and the labour market.
  • Build capacity for change and leadership, supporting emerging young leaders — particularly women — to engage more citizens in sustainable development initiatives at local and global levels.
  • Identify and address psychological and skill-based barriers faced by young women in accessing entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities, developing tailored strategies to overcome them.
  • Promote active citizenship, youth participation, and youth entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship, by creating inclusive environments and initiatives that encourage young women to take initiative and lead community-driven projects.
  • Foster international cooperation between youth organizations across Europe, the Western Balkans, and other regions, strengthening networks, sharing good practices, and launching joint initiatives that promote gender equality and sustainable development.
  • Enhance the employability and entrepreneurial potential of young women, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, by providing targeted support, mentoring, and capacity-building activities.

GET INVOLVED

  • Are you a young woman ready to shape your future?
  • Are you a youth worker committed to making a difference?
  • Are you part of an organisation passionate about inclusion and gender equality?

Join Leaders for Future to access resources, training, events, and a vibrant European network working for change.

TARGET GROUP

Primary Target Group
  • Young women (aged 18–30), especially from migrant backgrounds,unemployed or aiming to improve their working conditions or women with fewer opportunities or from disadvantaged contexts.
  • Youth workers, social workers, trainers and educators who work directly with young people in the partner communities and require tools and training to support young women entrepreneurs.
Secondary Target Group
  • Civil society stakeholders, including associations working with women or youth,teachers and adult educators, and public authorities and policy makers working on gender and youth issues.
  • Business and employment stakeholders, such as local SMEs and entrepreneurs,chambers of commerce, and employment support services.
  • General public

CERTIFICATE TEST

1. How does the role of a youth worker in mindset empowerment differ from that of a technical advisor?
2. Which of the following progression levels is primarily characterised by the learner Taking Responsibility for making decisions and working with others?
3. Which of the following is not aligned with Gender-Responsive Design principles?
4. The entrepreneurial ecosystem is limited to business investors
5. What is the primary reason for the “confidence gap” observed among young women entrepreneurs?
6. Is intersectionality concerned with how multiple identities—such as gender, class, and disability—combine to shape an individual’s experience?
7. When coaching young female entrepreneurs, youth workers should generally advise separating business and personal social media accounts to manage digital risk
8. What is a key benefit of ecosystem mapping for youth workers?
9. During the “Cultivation” phase of a mentoring relationship, what is the main goal?
10. Which of the following best describes the main purpose of Module 1?
11. Can youth workers act as advocates for gender-inclusive entrepreneurship policies?
12. Which competence is focused on reflecting on individual strengths and weaknesses and believing in one's ability to influence the course of events, despite setbacks?
13. The module describes “Imposter Syndrome” as a specific obstacle for women entrepreneurs. What does this term refer to?
14. Which method helps youth workers build confidence and resilience in young women?
15. Communication for empowerment primarily aims to
16. According to the training material, what is the primary purpose of taxation for a country's government activities?
17. Empathy is a key component of Emotional Intelligence. In a business context, what does empathy enable an entrepreneur to do?
18. Gender-Responsive Design focuses only on women’s access to finance, not on social or psychological barriers
19. Policy awareness has little relevance for youth work
20. How many core competence areas does the EntreComp framework identify?
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