The Gender Equality Task Force was launched in 2023 by EAEA, EfVET and EARLALL. This group aims to gather interested members from the three organisations to launch a series of initiatives that encourage discussion on EU policies and strategies related to gender equality in lifelong learning. The Force will share best practices in dedicated roundtables, seminars and other events, to open a dialogue around gender inequalities with relevant stakeholders, and to translate the discussions into actionable items where possible.
The webinar organised on June 27 gathered 28 participants to hear about good practices and policies across Europe, which all work to advance on integrating women into the labour market. The first speaker, Francesca Torlone, University of Florence, who presented the SALAM and FELIN projects. SALAM aims to support public authorities in fast-tracking the sustainable inclusion of migrants into local labour markets, harnessing their competences, capacities and ambitions, through developing targeted education, guidance and learning opportunities. In terms of the importance of focusing on migrant women, Torlone highlighted the substantial increase in migrants over the last 20 years and their key economic role they could play. An adapted and tailored approach to policies for migrant women is important to ensure the best integration.
Ruben Abarca (EVTA) presented on WIDCON: Driving Women’s Participation in the Digital Sector, which launched in June 2025 a women in digital forum for international exchange and strategic partnerships for those working on the topic. Experts and thematic working group discussions will drive the discussions. The project seeks to address inequalities of women using and working with digital skills in the labour market – involving tracking data and the reality of women faced in the field.
Viola Pinzi, the European Association for the Education of Adults, presented the PRISCILA project and how micro-credentials can empower migrant adult women. Microcredentials have emerged as a flexible, targeted form of certification that recognizes specific skills and competencies. While they initially gained traction in the formal education and professional training sectors, their application in the non-formal learning context has grown rapidly in recent years.
In PRISCILA, partners involved social partners to develop these microcredentials in the non-formal sector, involving the learners and many stakeholders. The training of these micro credentials was then delivered with non-formal learning pathways, particularly to migrant women, with their needs in mind. The kinds of tools that were used in the learning pathway from non-formal education included: theatre of the oppressed, deep democracy, critical incident methodology and spatial assemblages. These methods have proven to be effective in fostering inclusive learning environments through the development of skills and resilience.
Chara Stassinopoulou (P-Consulting) presented GUIDE: Guide Sensitive Career Guidance for Europe. The project has created a stereotype identification tool, so that career guidance counsellors are able to identify their own unconscious bias. This is particularly important to ensure that those working with unemployed women do not perpetuate existing bias.
Camilla Winter (EARLALL) made the closing remarks on the session, indicating that the Gender Equality Task Force is a powerful tool for collaboration.
Flexibility is especially important for the labour market integration of female migrants, as they often face unique challenges such as family and caregiving responsibilities, interrupted education or work experience, and cultural or social barriers. These factors can limit their ability to participate in rigid or full-time training and employment opportunities. Flexible approaches—such as microcredentials, part-time courses, blended or online learning, and recognition of prior learning—enable female migrants to balance learning with family life, gradually build or update relevant skills, and gain confidence and autonomy. Such flexibility supports quicker and more sustainable entry into the labour market, particularly in sectors with labour shortages, and plays a vital role in promoting empowerment and inclusive economic participation.
If you’re interested in reading more, check out: Flexible Learning Pathways for Gender Equality | EPALE or look into EAEA’s activities as part of the 2025 theme on Flexible Learning Pathways.