From May 5th to 8th, together with Nunzia Amirante, I had the privilege of representing the Italian delegation of Mimma Dreams, lead partner of the European project EmpowHer, during the first international meeting hosted in Curaçao – Dutch Antilles. A Caribbean setting served as the backdrop to four days of intense work, intercultural exchange, and a shared vision for the future of digital female entrepreneurship in rural areas.
The EmpowHer project, funded by the European Commission within the Youth sector, has the ambitious goal of strengthening the digital skills of young women from rural contexts, enabling them to start and manage small online businesses. At the heart of the project is intercultural dialogue and the creation of an international support network.
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May 5 – welcome, vision and connections
We kicked off our journey at the Curaçao Manufacturers Association, with a warm welcome followed by a morning of team-building activities, project presentations, and introductions to the partner organizations.
In the afternoon, thanks to the Kaya Kaya Movement, we took a walk through the streets of Punda and Otrobanda, immersing ourselves in the island’s colonial and multicultural history. The tour ended with the Freedom Music Festival in Scharloo: an explosion of sounds, cultures, and colors – the perfect symbol of the intercultural dialogue that EmpowHer promotes.
May 6 – planning and community engagement
The second day continued with an intensive working session at the Kust Batterij Community Center. We developed key tools such as the manual of good practices, the environmental sustainability protocol, and long-term sustainability guidelines. We also structured the first virtual exchange, an online format designed to train youth workers in guiding young women toward professional empowerment.
After a homemade lunch prepared by women from the center, we visited the Brievengat Community Center, where some of the future training activities will take place. It was a valuable opportunity to get to know the local realities working for women's empowerment.
May 7 – operational tools and institutional recognition
In the morning, we finalized the structure of the first virtual exchange, laid the groundwork for the second and third exchanges, discussed budgeting and reimbursement rules, and consolidated our strategic vision at the Curaçao Manufacturers Association headquarters.
In the afternoon, we explored the local rural economy. We visited an aloe plantation – a virtuous example of sustainable, territory-based economy – and a workshop producing Chichi, iconic local handmade figurines.
The most important institutional moment was our meeting with Charles Cooper, Minister of Economic Development, who expressed full support for Curaçao-Europe cooperation and for the role of women as drivers of economic change.
May 8 – evaluation and celebration
The final day began with a visit to the Tula Museum in the Bandabou area, where historian and director Jeanne Henriquez presented an entrepreneurial training project for rural women in Curaçao. Her powerful and inspiring testimony highlighted the value of historical recovery and cultural awareness as tools of emancipation.
In the afternoon, between communication, dissemination, and project quality evaluation activities, we also enjoyed a relaxing moment in the crystal-clear waters of Kenepa Beach.
The day concluded with a lively evening in the city center during the Punda Vibes event, bringing to a close an experience that was as intense as it was enriching.
This first meeting of the EmpowHer project was much more than just a kick-off: it was an experience of listening, sharing, and collective building, where each partner contributed their voice to shape a digital and inclusive future for young women in rural areas. Curaçao welcomed us warmly and left us with the conviction that connecting different stories is the key to creating real change.
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