The Spanish HERA Labs pilot programme celebrated its final session on 22 June 2026, marking the successful completion of a transformative journey for women aged 45 and over in Yecla. The programme, implemented by CETEM, and facilitated by Nuria Gil, delivered 17 sessions over seven months, guiding participants through a structured pathway of mutual aid, learning, stakeholder engagement, and personal action planning.
From a challenging start, the programme evolved into a genuine success story. Initially, it was difficult to secure commitment from women who were hesitant to engage in a six-to-seven-month programme. However, through recruitment campaigns on local television and radio, social media, and crucially, the positive word-of-mouth generated by early participants, interest grew steadily. Ultimately, 22 women became involved, with 18 attending more than 70% of sessions and receiving certificates of participation on the last session.
The programme’s phased approach proved highly effective. It began with mutual aid and trust-building, establishing a safe and supportive group environment where participants could share experiences and build connections. This foundation was essential for the work that followed. The programme then progressed through the Learning to Learn phase, which comprised four sessions covering essential modules to equip participants with the tools and confidence needed for their reinvention journey. A key highlight was the Engagement with External Stakeholders phase, where participants met successful female role models from the local community, including professionals from the corporate, furniture, adult education, and agricultural sectors. These interactions provided tangible examples of professional reinvention and inspired participants to envision new possibilities for their own careers.
The final phase focused on developing Personal Action Plans. Participants identified their core values, assessed alignment with their current lives, and built sustainable visions for their professional futures. The final session on 22 June included a celebratory certificate ceremony.
Looking ahead, the success of the Spanish pilot provides valuable insights for the future HERA methodology. The importance of local stakeholder engagement, the transformative power of peer reflection spaces, and the the value of well-structured guidance for Personal Action Plan development will inform the continued refinement and replication of the model across Europe.
The HERA Labs Spain journey may have concluded, but for the women of Yecla, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of empowerment, opportunity, and reinvention.
