Empowering Women in the Baltic Blue Economy: WIN-BIG event in Kiel
Last week, WIN-BIG brought together an inspiring community of professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs and students in Kiel, Germany for the WIN-BIG Baltic Event – Empowering Women in the Baltic Blue Economy: Innovation, Growth, and Connection.
Held at the Seeburg and Kiel Marine Science Campus, the event was buzzing with ideas, energy and collaboration. Conversations flowed easily, new connections formed, and stories of perseverance and innovation reminded us why empowering women means strengthening the entire Blue Economy.
Conference recording now available on our YouTube channel!
Download the event photos!
Opening the Conversation
The first day kicked off with a dynamic conference featuring speakers and panellists from across the Baltic region.
To set the stage for the discussion, Hasmik Grigoryan from the University of Galway presented insights from the WIN-BIG gender mapping survey, offering a detailed snapshot of the gender status in the Baltic Blue Economy, from challenges in access to leadership positions to the importance of supportive networks and mentoring.
The morning continued with three dynamic panels, each exploring a different dimension of women’s participation in the Blue Economy.
Panel 1 – Breaking Barriers and Building Pathways for Female Leadership explored how representation, confidence and supportive policies can create more equitable workplaces. Echoing António Guterres’ call for stronger representation of women in decision-making, Zoé Dippel (German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection) reminded us that “when women rise, the ocean thrives”, while Eva Strothotte (FuE-Zentrum FH Kiel) shared her personal journey through male-dominated environments, reflecting on how including female perspectives from the start can reshape projects and open new opportunities.
The panel closed with a shared message: progress begins with both women and men working together, with institutions creating frameworks that enable equal participation and pay transparency.
Panel 2 – Blue Bioproducts: The Female Perspective highlighted the innovative work of women entrepreneurs leading marine biotechnology initiatives, showing how fresh ideas and mixed teams are driving change. Anne Stald Møllmann (Havhøst) shared how her company is pushing for “a new vision of ocean farming along the Danish coast, one that includes young people and a strong balance of genders.” Ben Schwedhelm (My Spirulina) offering a male ally’s perspective, pointed out the persistent funding inequalities between male and female founders, stressing the importance of starting from education and reinforcing that “we need to speak to all students, if we want truly diverse innovation.”
Together, the panellists called for more role models, training opportunities, and support systems to help women turn their scientific ideas into thriving businesses.
Panel 3 – Citizen Engagement and Ocean Awareness underscored the power of education, storytelling and community participation to foster ocean stewardship and inspire the next generation of female leaders. Cornelia Nauen (Mundus Maris) shared anecdotes and lessons learned from her vast experience and emphasised the importance of engaging with local communities. Panellists shared creative ways to engage youth and citizens, from hands-on coastal activities to science sailing initiatives, all aimed at reconnecting people with the sea. The key takeaway was that “we need to encourage girls to be more vocal and not fit into a box. If they see themselves in these roles, they can start dreaming about it.”
If you missed the event live or want to relive key moments, you can watch the recording on our YouTube channel!
Learning, Connecting, and Leading
The following sessions moved from discussion to action through a series of interactive Learning Labs designed to build practical skills and confidence for women advancing their blue careers.
Participants explored the fundamentals of intellectual property with Melanie Müller (Boehmert & Boehmert) in “Your Ideas, Your Power,” learning how to protect their innovations. While Helena Vieira (University of Aveiro) led “The Negotiation Game,” a hands-on session on knowing one’s worth and communicating with confidence in professional settings.
On day two, Angela Schultz-Zehden (SUBMARINER Network) and Alexander Ohrt (opencampus.sh) guided attendees through the complex world of funding, explaining how to move from research-driven projects to innovation-ready ventures. The session offered practical tips on pitching ideas and finding the right funding instruments. Finally, in a creative and eye-opening lab, Raquel Clemente Martins (Help Images) and Tina Mertens (Diversity & Inclusion Toolbox) helped participants uncover how their personal and cultural backgrounds shape their communication styles. Through storytelling and reflection, they encouraged women to embrace their authentic voices and adapt their messages to diverse audiences.
The event concluded with an intimate Women’s Retreat, a moment of reflection and renewal. In an atmosphere of trust and encouragement, participants shared their personal journeys, ambitions and fears. It was a reminder that empowerment also means creating space to pause, connect and rediscover purpose.
Women from the Sea – A Powerful Tribute
At the end of the first conference day, we had the pleasure of hosting a special screening of “Women from the Sea: Azores”, a stunning episode of the Mulheres do Mar documentary series by Raquel Clemente Martins. The film captured the deep connection between women and the ocean as a source of identity, resilience, and purpose. And we are happy to announce that a future episode of the series will be dedicated to WIN-BIG’s Women Ocean Champions, celebrating their stories and voices from across Europe.
Celebrating Women Ocean Champions
Throughout the event, participants could also visit a portrait exhibition spotlighting 10 inspiring Women Ocean Champions from the Baltic region. Each story reflected courage, innovation and dedication to the ocean, from sustainable fisheries and biotechnology to marine research and coastal conservation.
These women will be among the 100 featured in the WIN-BIG Women Ocean Champions Book, set for publication next year, which will highlight remarkable journeys from across all EU sea basins.
Looking Ahead
By creating spaces to connect, share and learn, WIN-BIG continues to help women find their voice, shape their paths and lead the way toward a more resilient and equitable ocean community.
We’re heading into the final phase of the project with renewed energy and plenty of milestones ahead. The next stop? The WIN-BIG Atlantic Event in Málaga, 2026.
