Gender gap and work-life balance: the value of networks for inclusive change
A property confiscated from organised crime and returned to the community. A group of professionals, administrators, communicators, activists and educators. Young and old alike who believe in the value of local networks to change the world of work. This happened in Reggio Calabria, where on 29 May, in the Possidonea Lab, a workshop entitled “Gender gap and work-life balance policies” was held, promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale as part of the European project PRODIGY.
The meeting, led by Giulia Melissari, focused on the theme of work-life balance and the persistent gender gap in the world of work. But that's not all. It was also an opportunity to share good practices, plan new actions and strengthen collaboration between public bodies, cooperatives, businesses, and profit and non-profit organisations.
Giuggi Palmenta emphasised the profound significance of the initiative, noting how “we talked about gender, work and youth employment, topics of great interest for an area such as Reggio Calabria”. He highlighted the added value deriving from the context in which the workshop took place: “a confiscated property”, a symbolic place that helped to focus attention on issues that closely affect young local professionals.
Sergio Conti of Iamu Comunicazione, a company that has been active in territorial storytelling for over ten years, also highlighted the importance of synergy between experiences, stating: “The most important thing is to network and be with other entrepreneurs, share our positive experiences, understand what we can offer and what we can build together for the future”. The very name of the company, Yamu (“let's go” in the local dialect), proved to be a perfect metaphor for the collaborative and proactive atmosphere of the meeting.
With the valuable support of the Consorzio Macramè and the Impronte a Sud project, the event gave a voice back to a region that wants to be at the forefront of real change: more inclusive, fairer and more sustainable.
The workshop is just one of the stages of the programme promoted by PRODIGY, which aims to train 240 young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs) in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, with specialist skills in the digital and ecological transition sectors.
We would like to remind you that the call for companies wishing to join the PRODIGY Business Cluster, a strategic network combining innovation, social responsibility and the future of young people, is now open.
Joining the Cluster means:
- networking with national and international companies and stakeholders;
- coming into contact with young people trained in line with the new demands of the labour market;
- actively participating in a European project and local and international events.
The business clusters are active in seven cities: Naples, Catanzaro, Palermo, Reggio Calabria, Thessaloniki, Gotse Delchev and Blagoevgrad.
