From 2 to 5 July 2025, the transnational meeting of the project AEWiA – African and European Women in Action took place in Ghana. Coordinated by SOS Europa and funded under the Erasmus+ Programme, it was an intense experience of exchange, training, and cooperation between African and European organizations, united by a common goal: strengthening the role of women in cultural transmission and community development.
A Project that Unites Women, Cultures, and Skills
During the working days, participants — including women leaders, educators, youth workers, and activists — co-designed educational and narrative tools aimed at reinforcing the role of women as guardians of knowledge, drivers of social change, and living bridges between cultures.
The project seeks to valorize intangible cultural heritage as an educational tool and a means for inclusion and female empowerment, also through digitalization and the creation of accessible multimedia content.
Additionally, a thorough review of all materials produced so far was conducted to ensure quality and coherence with the project’s objectives. New case studies were added to the collaborative e-book, co-created with participants from training courses and partner organizations, enriching it with concrete examples and testimonies that highlight innovative practices and stories of resilience.
At the same time, a dedicated dissemination campaign was developed to expand the visibility of these materials, engage new communities, and inspire further empowerment actions at both local and international levels.
Institutional Meeting with the District Chief Executive
One of the most significant moments was the meeting on July 5 with Hon. Manfred Tawiah, recently appointed District Chief Executive of the Afadzato South District Assembly.
The meeting, made possible thanks to the valuable support of the partner organization OSDA – Organisation for Strategic Development in Africa, focused on concrete strategies to launch new local projects benefiting women and youth, with a focus on culture, education, innovation, and inclusion.
The delegation also visited various communities in the Afadzato South District, gathering first-hand testimonies from rural communities, women artisans, educators, and young local entrepreneurs. These visits inspired new project ideas for future training initiatives and integrated local development actions.
Memory as an Educational Tool: Visit to Cape Coast Castle
During the mission in Ghana, the delegation also visited Cape Coast Castle, one of the main slave trade hubs in West Africa.
Walking through those places was a moment of deep collective reflection: the historical memory of the atrocities linked to slavery is not only a duty of remembrance, but also an essential foundation for building justice, peace, and universal human rights.
Looking to the Future
The meeting in Ghana does not mark an endpoint, but rather the beginning of a new phase. New joint initiatives are already being defined, which will include:
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Online training programs for young women;
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Intergenerational workshops on intangible heritage;
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Erasmus+ projects focused on mobility and capacity building;
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Local actions promoting the economic and social inclusion of women.
The AEWiA project continues to move forward, strengthened by a shared vision that places listening, memory, dignity, and the collective creation of a better future at its core.
