The training programme Equal at work aims to empower you as a  young professional to counter discrimination and unconscious bias against women in the workplace, by: 

• Deepening your understanding of the structural workplace discrimination faced by women.
• Empowering you to recognize your potential and feel confident in influencing change around gender equality.
• Supporting you in making actionable changes that foster a more inclusive work culture and practices in your organisation.

Expected learning outcomes

You'll understand the root causes of workplace inequality; recognize everyday bias and microaggressions; and can identify structural barriers to women's advancement in your organisation.

You'll feel more ready to speak up about gender equality; have more insight in your unique strengths & capacities to foster gender equality in your role; and feel supported by a community of peers.

You'll be able to navigate bias in your everyday work life; be familiar with frameworks, policies, and practices that contribute to inclusive workplaces; and able to build initiatives with internal support.

You can take part in this training programme if you:

• Are between 18 and 30 years old and live in the Netherlands.
• Are employed in the Netherlands, with a vested interest in contributing to a gender-equal society.
• Have the space and freedom to start an initiative within your organisation to advance gender equity. 

In terms of your affinity with the topic, you are:

• Experiencing discrimination against women in your workplace environment, as a target or as a witness.
• Motivated to address workplace gender inequality but not feeling fully ready to advocate for it.
• Struggling with the best approach to address workplace discrimination, seeking confidence and competence. 

We ensure a fair selection process, evaluating candidates based on their motivation and overall profile. See the Key Details for more info and when and how to apply. This also includes information about the fee that covers your full participation in this project.

The main activity of this training programme is an in-residence training course of two times 3 days that takes place in Ommen, the Netherlands. In addition, various preparation and follow-up activities are an integral part of the programme. Here's an overview:

Thu. 6 Feb., 11:00-12:30 Online kickoff meeting with all the participants.

Thu. 20 Feb., 09:00-13:00 Meeting up with Accenture at their head office in Amsterdam Zuid, taking inspiration and valuable insights from their approach to gender equality. 

Week of 3 Mar., tbd Online meeting with a policy maker who is active in the field of gender equality.

Thu. 13 Mar. Deadline for your inventory on the current gender equality situation within your workplace.

Wed. 19 Mar., 18:00 - Sat. 22 Mar., 21:00 Part 1 of the training course. Focus on bonding, understanding workplace gender discrimination, and authentic leadership. 

Wed. 2 Apr., 18:00 - Sat. 5 Apr., 21:00 Part 2 of the training course. Focus is on navigating bias, and familiarizing & practising with how to contribute to more inclusive workplaces through initiatives, policies and practices. 

Apr. to Jun. Continuing to work on your own initiative for promoting gender-equal policies, practices, atttitudes or behaviours at your workplace, after having started working on it during the training course.

Fri. 20 Jun., 14:00-17:30 Final event in Den Haag during which we'll reflect on your initiatives and broader developments within your workplaces, together with people from within and outside of your organisation.

Experiential learning and peer learning are central to this prorgramme. We create an environment for you to learn and thrive through methods like discussions, group work, role plays, and World Cafes. Sessions are highly interactive and participatory. All this also means that you yourself are to a large degree responsible for your own learning journey. 

Throughout the programme, we offer various support systems to help you and your peers thrive. They include daily reflection groups, emotional support, opportunities for feedback, and regular checks-ins after the training course. 

As a training & development organisation, we have more than 10 years of experience in applying and facilitating these methods in multi-day in-residence training courses in a variety of domains across queer inclusion, gender equality and various environmental sustainability topics. 

This programme's main activity - the training course - will take in Ommen, the Netherlands. We are hosted at Olde Vechte, a country house on the edge of town surrounded by nature.

This accommodation will be at your disposal for the first part of the training from March 19th at 18:00 to March 23 at 09:00; and for the second part from April 2nd at 18:00 to April 6th at 09:00. 

You'll share a room with up to two people, and bathrooms will also be shared. On-site, you'll have access to a training room, common areas, and outdoor spaces. 

We follow a community living philosophy, which means everyone plays a role in looking after the space, including shared housekeeping responsibilities.

Meals will be fully vegan, with efforts made to accommodate allergies. While we aim to assist with special needs, please contact us in advance to discuss any specific requirements. 

The closing event, that is scheduled for 20 June '25, will take place in Den Haag, at a to be specified location.