Red:GLOW is a network that explores the interactions between Gender, Leadership, Citizenship and young women’s agency, through developing youth work good practice.

Red GLOW brings together 7 partner organisations from 6 European countries, each with a strong track record in empowering young women, including many from migrant, minority and disadvantaged backgrounds. Red:GLOW- stands for Gender, Leadership, Outreach and Work, with Red meaning ‘network’ in Spanish.

Our research has shown that there is no similar European network where organisations and youth workers working with young women can share ideas, learning and best practice. The EU Erasmus+ funding that we have received for the delivery of this project is allowing us to explore how the network could be most effective in empowering young women as leaders and active citizens.

We hear so much conflicting evidence about the situation, hopes, dreams and opportunities for young women in Europe. They are often doing better than young men in education but are quickly overtaken in the workplace, and leadership as citizens, for example as politicians. Some migrant groups thrive, whilst others face multiple barriers to mainstream employment and having their voices heard by decision-makers.

We are curiously exploring, through our network, what the challenges are, and how they can be overcome. Opportunity is not just about good pay and promotions. It is about creating environments where everybody can thrive. Opportunity is not just about the workplace, it’s also about people being engaged in agenda-setting and knowing how to have their voices heard as citizens. What does citizenship mean to young women and how do they express this? How do these ideas interact and intersect?

Red:GLOW a network that will explore the interactions between Gender, Leadership in all areas of life, Outreach to often overlooked young women, and the workplace. How can we make sure that every young woman in Europe has the opportunity to find fulfilment? This is a hugely ambitious goal and one that we will be addressing a little at a time.