BPW EUROPE NETWORKS

The Nordic Network

The Nordic Network, established on May 27, 2024, under the initiative of Regional Coordinator Anu Viks, unites countries from Northern Europe, including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. The Network aims to promote the interests of business and professional women within these countries through collaboration and shared initiatives.

The Nordic Network was officially launched during an online meeting of Presidents from these countries. The primary goal, defined at its inception, is to support and advance the interests of women in business and the professions across the region. Members include BPW Federations and associated Clubs in each participating country.

Key areas of focus

- Developing entrepreneurial and leadership skills.
- Supporting women amidst political conflicts.
- Advocating for a green and sustainable world.
- Attracting and retaining new members.
- Promoting technical education and lifelong learning.
- Securing financing and driving impactful projects.

The Nordic Network holds face-to-face (F2F) meetings every two years, fostering collaboration and exchanging ideas.

- 2024: The inaugural F2F meeting was held in Helsinki, Finland.
- 2026: The next meeting is planned for Poland.

Presidents of Nordic Network countries

- Finland: Anne Gustafson-Pesonen
- Sweden: Åsa Krug
- Norway: Anna Halvorsen (BPW Follo Club)
- Iceland: Johanna Thomasdottir (BPW Reykjavik Club)
- Estonia: Merle Saviauk
- Latvia: Inga Pumpure (BPW Riga Club)
- Lithuania: Irma Spudiene (BPW Vilnius Chamber Club)
- Poland: Katarzyna (BPW Poznan Club)
- Regional Coordinator: Anu Viks (Estonia)

The first F2F meeting took place on September 27–28, 2024, in Helsinki, Finland. Hosted by BPW Finland, the event was held at the Antti and Jenny Wihuri Foundation venue. The meeting officially launched the Nordic Network and kickstarted the “Green Ambassadors” project under the Green and Sustainable Working Group, chaired by Siiri Puttonen.

Seminar Highlights:

- Keynote: Scientist Kai Klein (BPW Estonia) discussed the environmental impact of plastics.
- Focus on Sustainable Businesses:
  - Insights into green entrepreneurship in Estonia and Finland.
  - Professor Taina Tukiainen (Vaasa University) introduced the environmentally sustainable hotel initiative in Eastern Finland.

BPW Estonia also presented an entrepreneurship project encouraging women to establish and grow green businesses, reinforcing the Network’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

BPW AdrionNet

The network for businesswomen in the EUSAIR Region (Italy, Greece, Croatia)

The BPW AdrionNet is the widest Network of Business and Professional Women in the Adriatic-Ionian Territory. It has 304 clubs in Italy, Croatia and Greece, with 11.500 members. BPW AdrionNet is geographically identical to EUSAIR.

BPW Pula, together with Initial committee of BPW FIDAPA Italy, Greece and Croatia representatives, and BPW Club members of the AdrionNet Region organise regular Network activities.

- The First Forum BPW AdrionNet was held in Athens, Greece, Friday 19^th, October 2018, under auspices of Athen’s Chamber of Commerce, and hosted by President BPW Athens Ioanna Lagoumidou. The Topics of the Forum was Women Entrepreneurship – New Horizons . Report on: https://bpw.ch/images/Calendar/bpwadrionnetflyereng1.9.18.pdf
- The Second Forum BPW AdrionNet was held in Benevento (Italy) on 21^st March 2019, under auspices of University Sannio and hosted by FIDAPA BPW Italy. The Forum was held as a part of the event Women In Business Female Entrepreneurs And European Economic Development, in programme Kinetes. https://www.kinetes.com/uploads/6/8/7/0/68706149/programma_winb.pdf
  Picture gallery https://bpw.hr/en/photo-gallery/event/adrionnet-2019.html
- The Third Forum BPW AdrionNet was held in Pula ( Croatia) on 2^nd October 2020. under auspices of President of the Republic of Croatia and Croatian Parliament, and fully organized by the inspired team of BPW Pula. Due to pandemic, the Forum was held for the first time in a hybrid form. Full report on: https://www.bpw.hr/en/adrionnet.html
- The Fourth Forum BPW AdrionNet was held in Palermo (Italy) on 24th September 2021 by Alida Perkov, chair of BPW AdrionNet, with BPW Italy and coordinated by Giuseppina Seidita, Vice President Membership BPWI and Vice Chair AdrionNet. An event that has left its mark, with the motto “Encouragement and Promotion of Women Entrepreneurship in Adriatic Ionian Region”, and that has allowed BPW Italy to make known to women from different European countries virtually connected to the entrepreneurs of the AdrionNet network and their valuable work within the AdrionNet network.
  Full report can be downloaded here.

The EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) is a macro-regional strategy adopted by the European Commission and endorsed by the European Council in 2014. More about EUSAIR: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/policy/cooperation/macro-regional-strategies/adriatic-ionian/

AdrionNet Report 2021

- BPW-AdrionNet-Report-2021-and-strategy.pdf

AdrionNet Memorandum

- BPW-ADRIONNET_memorandum.pdf

Constitutional frame

- Constitutional-frame-of-BPW-AdrionNet.pdf

BPW DACH Deutschland-Schweiz-Österreich

BPW DACH Conference: Fostering Connections and Diversity in Ulm

The BPW DACH Conference, hosted by BPW Germany Club Ulm, celebrated a successful gathering of the German-speaking BPW community. With the theme “Through Trust We Build Connections, Hence Creating Diversity,” the event brought together over 100 participants from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and—for the first time—Liechtenstein, to forge and strengthen ties within the BPW network.

The conference’s program featured diverse and engaging workshops on topics such as:

- Stress Management
- AI Prompting
- Communication and Microaggression
- Small Talk and Leadership
- Feminist Foreign Policy

These sessions provided attendees with practical skills and ample opportunities for networking, fostering both new relationships and deeper connections within the BPW community.

A poignant moment of the event was the BPW Candle Lighting Ceremony, that highlighted the shared goals and achievements of BPW members across more than 100 countries, celebrating their collective commitment to empowerment and progress.

The Ulm conference was an undeniable success, setting the stage for the next DACH Conference, which will take place in Austria. With the momentum built in Ulm, the future of BPW in German-speaking countries promises continued growth, collaboration, and impact.

For more details, visit the official DACH Conference website: bpw.dach-tagung.eu

The network for businesswomen in the German-speaking Region

The DACH region hosts a regional German-speaking gathering every 2nd year. The aim is to foster the business network and bring women from that economic region together. The host location is rotating between Austria, Germany and Switzerland for every 2nd year.

Most recent event was hosted by Switzerland: https://bpw.ch/de/Veranstaltungen/Details?id=564&date=1663884000

Here’s the summary and presentation of the event on 23-24. September 2022 and Programme and Photo Library.

BPW Danube Net

The network for businesswomen in the Danube Region

Foundation of the BPW Danube Net in 2006 in Budapest!
Since 2006 the BPW Danube Net is the network for business women in the Danube region with strong connection to BPW AdrioNet, BPW Italy and BPW Turkey. The objective is to bring together the decision makers of this region to exchange know-how and best practices and to introduce to the members and participants business-, network- and learning opportunities. Since 2015 BPW Danube Net is member of the EUSDR PA8 steering group.

Read more about our partnership and woman in digital economy.

Aims

- Contribution to the economic development of the Danube Region
- A platform for open up new business opportunities and cooperation
- Sharing professional expertise and experiences
- Intercultural exchanges
- Increasing awareness of BPW