A powerful week in Cork: WIN-BIG’s second annual meeting & EMD2025
A Look Back at Our Second Annual Meeting
On 20 May 2025, the WIN-BIG consortium gathered for our Second Annual Meeting, hosted by the Marine Institute and the University of Galway, just ahead of European Maritime Day (EMD). The meeting was a key milestone to reflect on the work accomplished so far and prepare for our final year of project implementation.
Highlights included:
- A comprehensive review of the project’s progress and upcoming deliverables
- Strategic planning for the months ahead, including communication, capacity-building, and policy engagement activities
- A presentation of preliminary insights from the WIN-BIG gender survey
- Valuable feedback from our Project Officer Agnieszka Kempny (CINEA), who joined us online
- In-person guidance from Advisory Board member Angela Schultz-Zehden, who shared her reflections on strengthening impact in our final year
With the project set to conclude in April 2026, the meeting reaffirmed our collective commitment to ensuring that WIN-BIG leaves a lasting legacy for gender equality in the Blue Economy.
Taking the stage at European Maritime Day 2025
Just two days after our annual meeting, WIN-BIG dove into the heart of the European Maritime Day 2025, where Cork became the hub for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in the maritime world. The event provided an excellent opportunity for us to connect with key stakeholders, policy actors, and fellow EU-funded projects working toward a more sustainable and inclusive Blue Economy.
Throughout the event, WIN-BIG was present at the BlueBio Alliance stand, where our partners engaged directly with attendees, introduced the project, and collected valuable contributions to our ongoing gender survey. Visitors were invited to learn more about our activities and share their experiences, adding new voices to the data we’re collecting across all EU sea basins.
During the afternoon, we hosted the workshop “BuE Women Champions Take the Stage at EMD2025”, co-organised with our sister project WINBLUE. The session brought together a full room of participants and created a dynamic space to reflect on the roles, challenges, and leadership journeys of women in the Blue Economy. WINBLUE shared their final results, offering important insights into how gender gaps can be addressed at regional and sectoral levels. Meanwhile, WIN-BIG presented a preview of the preliminary findings from our gender survey, providing a first glimpse into the trends and stories emerging from our research.
The workshop also featured the voices of four Ocean Champions - Alice Pari, Carla de Carolis,
Maire Einniu, and Vera Quinlan - who shared personal reflections on navigating and shaping their careers in the marine
sector. One message, delivered powerfully by Vera, struck a chord with many in the room:
“You belong in science, on ships, in submarines, and in every room where ocean decisions are made. Be bold. Be
fearless, and take your place at the helm.”
The workshop closed with encouraging words from Aneta Willems, Head of Department at CINEA, who emphasised the importance of continuing to address gender gaps in maritime sectors through evidence-based policy, collaboration, and bold action.
WIN-BIG Women Champions on film
While in Cork, we also began filming interviews for the upcoming “Mulheres do Mar / Women from the Sea” documentary series, which will showcase stories of leadership, resilience, and innovation from women across EU sea basins. This collaboration beautifully reflects the diversity and shared passion that define the WIN-BIG community.
What’s Next?
The final stretch of WIN-BIG is not just about closing a project, it's about setting the stage for what comes next in the journey toward a more inclusive, balanced, and forward-looking Blue Economy.
Over the coming months, we’ll be diving deeper into the analysis of the data collected through our gender survey, transforming the voices, experiences, and perspectives of professionals across the Blue Economy into concrete evidence that can inform future EU policies, strategies, and funding programmes. These insights will be essential in identifying where gaps still exist and where support is most urgently needed to foster gender balance in the sector.
At the same time, we’re continuing to grow our Mentors4Future Leaders network, connecting experienced professionals with women seeking guidance, inspiration, and pathways to leadership across all EU sea basins. Through this expanding mentorship community, we aim to establish long-term support structures that can drive change beyond the project's lifetime.
Stay connected, share your voice, and be part of this collective effort to make the Blue Economy more inclusive!
