How can we transform the concept of 'gender matters' into tangible tools that can effect change in programmes, funding and support within the social economy?

In this online conference, we will present the key outcomes of the Erasmus+ Cooperation for a Gender Equal Social Economy (Coop4Equality) project, including practical tools, handbooks and learning journeys to help organisations and social entrepreneurs work in a more gender-equal way every day.

During the 2.5-hour event, you will explore research-based insights, ready-to-use tools, and concrete examples from across Europe. You will meet people who are already trialling these methods in their incubators, accelerators, impact funds, universities and enterprises, and you will have the opportunity to consider how you can apply them in your own context.

What is this event about?

For several years, the Coop4Equality partnership has been working with social entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders across Europe to gain an understanding of where gender biases show up in the social economy.

• where gender biases show up in the social economy
• how support organisations can improve
• and which practical tools are truly helpful, beyond generic "gender awareness"

We have turned these insights into five handbooks full of concrete tools, reflection prompts, and workshop designs. At this conference, we will bring them to life.

You will:

• receive a concise overview of the European study and its key findings
• explore the five Coop4Equality handbooks and selected tools
• hear from organisations that have piloted these approaches
• you will also have the opportunity to connect with peers who are on a similar journey

Our goal is simple:
We want you to leave the event with at least one concrete tool or idea that you can implement in your own organisation within the next few weeks.

Who is this event for?

This online conference is designed for people who support or engage in social entrepreneurship and care about gender equality.

• Support organisations in the social economy, including incubators, accelerators, hubs, impact investors, foundations, universities, training providers and networks
• Social entrepreneurs, especially women and gender minorities
• Policy-makers and public authorities working on the social economy, gender equality and inclusive innovation
• Researchers, trainers and coaches who support social entrepreneurs

You do not need to be a "gender expert" to join.
Curiosity and a willingness to reflect on your practice are enough.

What you will take away:

By the end of the event, you will:

• understand the key gender-related challenges identified in the Coop4Equality study
• know the structure and purpose of the five handbooks and how they connect
• have seen concrete tools (e.g. reflection exercises, mindset practices and peer-learning formats) that you can reuse or adapt
• hear real experiences from organisations that have piloted these tools
• you will also have met European peers who are working towards a more gender-equal Social Economy

You will also receive free access to all the handbooks and materials.

Programme overview (10:00–12:30 CEST):

10:00–10:10 – Welcome and introduction
Why Coop4Equality? Why gender equality in the social economy, and why now?

10:10–10:40: Keynote: details to be announced
Inspiring input from our keynote speaker (to be confirmed) on blind spots, opportunities, and promising directions.

10:40–10:55: Coop4Equality in a nutshell
Short overview of the project, partnership and methodology.

10:55–11:10 Study findings: What we heard from the field
Key insights from interviews and workshops with social entrepreneurs and ecosystem actors.

11:10–11:25: The Five Handbooks: Your Toolbox at a Glance
A guided tour through the handbooks and the questions they help you work with.

11:25–12:10 Breakout sessions: Dive into the tools
Choose a breakout room and explore selected tools in more depth with other participants and members of the project team.

12:10–12:25 Reflections and next steps
What will you take away? How can you apply these tools in your own context? What support or collaboration do you need?

12:25–12:30 – Closing
How to access the handbooks and stay connected with the Coop4Equality community.

(Minor timing changes may occur as we finalise speakers and sessions.)

Practical information

• Date: Friday, 12 June 2026
• Time: 10:00–12:30 CEST
• Format: Online conference (link to be sent to all registered participants).
• Language: English
• Fee: Participation is free of charge, thanks to co-funding from the European Union's Erasmus+ programme.

If you require any specific accessibility support (e.g. live captions), please let us know when you register so that we can support you as best we can.

About Coop4Equality

Cooperation for a Gender Equal Social Economy is an Erasmus+ project that brings together partners from across Europe to promote gender equality in the social economy.

Together, we have:

• mapped challenges and needs through a European study
• co-created five practical handbooks for support organisations and social entrepreneurs
• tested tools and approaches with pilots in different countries

This conference marks the moment when we open up these results to a wider community and invite you to adapt, reuse and build on them.

To stay connected beyond the event, we warmly invite you to join our
Coop4Equality community on LinkedIn, a space to share experiences, resources, and opportunities related to gender equality in the social economy.

We look forward to meeting you online and exploring how we can promote gender equality in the social economy.