WIN-BIG at the WINBLUE Final Conference: sharing data, stories & synergies for Gender Equality in the Blue Economy

On 26 June 2025, we took part in the Final Conference of WINBLUE – Empowering Women and Mainstreaming Gender Equality in the Blue Economy, held in Brussels, Belgium.

Representing WIN-BIG was Dr. Hasmik Grigoryan from the SEMRU at the University of Galway, who joined a panel discussion on synergies and collaboration across gender-focused initiatives in the Blue Economy.

A day of results, reflections, and connections

The WINBLUE Final Conference brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and fellow EU project teams to reflect on progress made and identify future priorities. The event focused on presenting data results and findings from WINBLUE’s fieldwork and analysis, sharing good practices, training methodologies, and coaching tools, and creating space for knowledge exchange across complementary initiatives

In Session 2: Looking Ahead – Synergies and Collaborations, Dr. Grigoryan introduced the WIN-BIG project’s objectives, highlighting the project’s efforts to:

• Map the current status of women across all EU sea basins and sectors in the Blue Economy

• Identify structural barriers and skills gaps that limit women’s entry and progression

• Support capacity building, mentorship, and policy engagement

• Elevate the visibility of women leaders through initiatives like the Women Ocean Champions storytelling campaign

She also shared a preview of the preliminary WIN-BIG survey results, which reflect the real-world experiences, inequalities, and ambitions of women working in blue sectors—from marine energy and research to fisheries, shipping, and sustainable tourism.

Strength in collaboration

Events like the WINBLUE Final Conference are vital for reinforcing the synergies between EU projects, especially in complex and intersectional areas like gender mainstreaming. WIN-BIG’s participation helped underline the importance of data-informed collaboration, visibility for role models, and continued advocacy for more inclusive and resilient maritime industries.

As WINBLUE concludes its journey, we’re proud to carry this shared mission forward—working to ensure gender equality is not only acknowledged but embedded in the future of the Blue Economy.