The EU-LAC Foundation and the EU-LAC International Women's Network are organising the EU-LAC Local Political Leadership School for Women 2025. This learning space aims to strengthen political leadership capacities of women at the local level (municipal and community) in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, through an intergenerational, bi-regional, intercultural and multi-scale training space that promotes transformative political participation from the local level, the construction of networks among community leaders, access to practical local management tools and the sustainability of female leadership in local governments and decision-making spaces. This initiative also proposes to highlight the importance and the genuine value of cooperation between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union in relation to women's political leadership.
The present female leadership school will be composed of :
Young women: Women who are active in political, community or social processes at the local or municipal level, with an interest in exercising local leadership from a feminist and human rights perspective. They seek to develop their roles in decision-making spaces such as municipal councils, neighbourhood associations, town halls or mayor's offices, and have initial training or an interest in Latin American, Caribbean and/or European studies with a focus on gender, community participation and local politics. They come from diverse backgrounds—young people, migrants, indigenous and Afro-descendant leaders, emerging academics, or local candidates—and contribute perspectives from their own environments to strengthen women's political participation. They belong or collaborate with the EU-LAC WIN Network or have an interest in joining this Network.
Senior women leaders: Women with experience in political or community processes, committed to transforming their communities and municipalities from a feminist, intersectional and gender equality perspective. They have the capacity to influence local governments, social organisations, rural communities or citizen initiatives, and seek to consolidate their leadership through practical tools, support networks and sustainable strategies. They recognise and confront the challenges that limit women's political participation — _violence, structural inequalities, care overload and impacts on mental health — _and work to strengthen their personal and collective sustainability as political leaders. They belong to or collaborate with the EU-LAC WIN Network or be interested in joining the Network.
The programme, taking place in November, will combine virtual sessions and an intensive face-to-face meeting in Berlin (Germany), promoting both accessibility and depth in the exchange between participants.
