“The process we follow in each lesson, recording our goals, as well as our strengths and weaknesses, helped me understand myself more deeply. The limited time worked positively, as it led me to focus on what truly matters and to organise my thinking more clearly.”
The HERA Labs in Athens, implemented by WHEN, have brought together 20 women aged 45+, who have actively participated in 12 meet-ups and have built a vibrant and highly engaged Viber community, where participants regularly exchange ideas, share knowledge, and offer one another inspiration and encouragement, fostering a strong sense of connection and mutual support.
Currently, the HERA Labs in Athens are in the “Engagement with External Stakeholders” phase, where meetings with WHEN mentors have taken place, a career counselling workshop, training on the use of AI tools, and participation in the WHEN Career Fair. There, the participants prepared for their job search, received CV guidance, planned their next career steps with coaches, and took part in workshops and short interviews with company and organisation representatives.
“Through this journey, aspects of myself emerged that I hadn’t fully realised, which helped me understand where it is worth investing for my personal growth. Most importantly, I realised that I am not alone: There are many women out there who can guide you, support you, and inspire you along your path.”
What has emerged until now, is a close-knit and dynamic group that extends well beyond the formal framework of the programme. Demonstrating remarkable initiative and collective drive, the participants self-organise to attend additional discussions, learning opportunities, and training sessions. This ongoing engagement reflects not only their commitment to personal growth and the work they have done so far through the HERA Labs, but also the power of peer-driven learning communities, where shared experiences evolve into continuous development, empowerment, and meaningful collaboration.
At the same time, the HERA Labs in Larissa, implemented by iED, have so far brought together 13 women aged 45+ through a series of interactive and empowering sessions held at JOIST Innovation Park. Meeting approximately every two weeks, participants have been actively engaged in a learning journey focused on personal development, skills enhancement, and community building.
At this stage, the Labs are focusing on the “Learning to Learn” phase, supporting participants in better understanding their own skills, needs, and learning pathways. Through a variety of experiential and participatory exercises, women have had the opportunity to reflect, share experiences, and build confidence in a safe and inclusive environment.
As the process evolves, the HERA Labs in Larissa are now gradually preparing for the next phase of the Living Labs, where participants will further co-design their pathways and explore concrete steps towards learning, employment, or entrepreneurship.
