PENELOPE-PROJECT

The PENELOPE-PROJECT aims to develop, transfer and implement innovative practices on gender mainstreaming strategies in European SMEs, following a cluster-based approach to build gender-inclusive structures, promote online cooperation and blended learning opportunities among EU industry clusters and their SMEs. It is funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme. The PENELOPE project works towards: - defining specific guidelines for cluster organizations’ staff towards gender mainstreaming, promoting equality among women and men and contributing to a more modern, dynamic, committed and professional environment inside organisations; - supporting SMEs in building their gender-inclusive cultures through innovative tools on gender equality strategies; - facilitating online cooperation and blended learning opportunities among European industry clusters and SMEs to ensure successful gender mainstreaming in their everyday work, through new approaches to better support competitiveness and employment development, mainly at local and regional levels; - developing a methodology for European clusters, following attractive training programmes based on participatory approaches and digital methodologies, in line with individual needs and expectations. Five highly dedicated partners from France (OXALIS, France Clusters), Spain (AMUEBLA cluster), Romania (Romanian Textile Concept cluster) and Austria (Lucia Seel International Consulting GmbH) are committed between November 2022 - November 2025 and beyond to bring in their experience, knowledge and expertise, and especially their networks into a collaborative process to develop innovative formats for capacity building of cluster managers, company managers, cluster policy makers, among other types of stakeholders.