On 29 May 2025, the HERA project was presented at the conference “Innovation and Sustainability: Major Social Challenges”, held at the University of Porto and jointly organised by SHINE 2Europe and the University of Porto. The event brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and innovation stakeholders to discuss projects, approaches, and good practices addressing some of today’s most pressing social challenges.
HERA was featured during Panel 5: “Violence, Gender and Empowerment”, which focused on initiatives promoting inclusion, equality, and social impact. During the session, Maria Marques, from the Superior School of Public Health at NOVA University in Lisbon, presented the HERA project under the theme “Empowerment Labs for Women 45+ Throughout Life”.
The presentation showcased HERA’s mission to empower women aged 45 and over through capacity-building, innovation, and community support, highlighting the project’s contribution to fostering lifelong learning, inclusion, and entrepreneurial opportunities. HERA was presented alongside other European initiatives addressing workplace inclusion, violence prevention, and leadership development.
The conference provided an excellent opportunity to increase the visibility of HERA, exchange knowledge with experts from different sectors, and contribute to broader discussions on innovation, sustainability, gender equality, and social empowerment.
