From 5 to 7 October 2026, our Foundation was represented by Ania Kowalczuk at the Capacity Building Event in Brussels, organised as part of the Funding Fairer Futures (FFF) programme. The event brought together representatives of organisations and groups supported by the programme, creating a space for exchanging experiences, developing organisational skills, and establishing international connections.
It was an opportunity to learn about initiatives carried out by organisations in Europe and other parts of the world, including projects led by informal groups. The discussions offered different perspectives on the challenges faced by civil society organisations, provided insights into the solutions they use, and allowed participants to share experiences from their own work.
For our Foundation, the event was also an important opportunity to present our project and explain the role WenDo plays in developing the skills of women involved in environmental action, sustainable development, and climate justice.
WenDo – Empowering Women Working for Change
As part of the grant, we are running WenDo workshops combining assertiveness and self-defence, aimed at women environmental activists. Their purpose is to strengthen skills that help women become more aware of their own needs and boundaries, develop a sense of agency, and build competencies useful in their social engagement.
During the meeting in Brussels, we had the opportunity to explain why we consider WenDo an important tool for supporting women leaders of organisations, movements, and informal groups working to protect the environment.
WenDo is about more than self-defence. It is also about developing agency, resilience, assertiveness, and conscious leadership.
These skills matter in both personal life and social engagement. The ability to set boundaries, communicate needs, respond to difficult situations, and make decisions can help women take on leadership roles, build teams, and continue working towards socially important goals.
In our work, creating spaces where women can build self-confidence, recognise their own strengths, and experience solidarity is particularly important. WenDo also fosters relationships based on mutual support and sisterhood. These are essential elements of developing a form of leadership that is not based solely on responsibility for others, but also takes into account self-care and personal boundaries.
Why Is WenDo Important for Women Environmental Activists?
People involved in environmental action, sustainable development, and climate justice often take on demanding responsibilities. They organise initiatives, mobilise communities, conduct advocacy and campaigns, build local partnerships, and work towards social change.
To be effective, they need not only knowledge and commitment, but also interpersonal skills, a sense of agency, and the ability to navigate difficult situations.
That is why we believe that supporting women activists should also involve strengthening their personal resources. WenDo offers an opportunity to develop practical skills that can be used in everyday situations, professional and social relationships, and work towards change.
We believe that such activities can have a tangible impact at the individual level while also strengthening the potential of groups and organisations. Leaders who are more self-confident, aware of their own boundaries, and supportive of one another are better equipped to build relationships, cooperate, and sustain their engagement over the long term.
During the event, we were also able to show how our Foundation’s work aligns with the goals of initiatives supporting organisations that strive for a more just and sustainable future. We see empowering women working in the environmental sector as an important part of building strong, resilient, and resourceful communities.
International Exchange That Inspires Action
The Capacity Building Event in Brussels was not only a learning opportunity, but also a chance to meet people working in different social and cultural contexts. Conversations with representatives of various organisations and informal groups helped us learn more about their projects, challenges, and approaches.
The event covered topics including organisational resilience, financial stability, fundraising, strategic communication, campaigning, and inclusion. Networking and the exchange of experiences among participants were also important parts of the programme.
The multicultural nature of the event and the diversity of the initiatives presented showed how much we can learn from one another and how important it is to create opportunities for cooperation across borders.
We are glad to have been able to take part in this event, present our Foundation’s work, and share an approach that combines empowering women with building the capacity of civil society organisations.
We Want to Continue This Work
Taking part in the meeting in Brussels strengthened our conviction that it is worth continuing to develop initiatives supporting women leaders and environmental activists. Strengthening their agency, assertiveness, resilience, and leadership skills is an important part of supporting initiatives that strive for positive social change.
We are grateful for the opportunity to meet, have inspiring conversations, and exchange experiences with people working in different parts of the world towards a more just and sustainable future.
We are returning with new ideas and motivation to continue our work. We want to keep running WenDo workshops and supporting women who work every day to protect the environment, develop their communities, and build a better future.
We believe that confident leaders who are aware of their own agency and support one another are an important part of lasting change.
