Written by Camila Rodrigues

The Women 5.0 – Train the Trainers activity took place in Vienna on 15–16 October 2025, gathering trainers and professionals from across Europe to exchange good practices on digital tools, inclusive pedagogies and strategies for women’s digital empowerment. The Portuguese community Mulheres à Obra was represented by its coordinator Camila Rodrigues and partners Sandra Couto and Cláudia Vieira, who contributed actively to the discussions and workshops.

For our community, this experience was not only a training opportunity but also a clear example of how Erasmus+ projects can and should involve their target groups as partners, rather than treating them solely as beneficiaries. When participants become co-creators of content, they bring valuable insights from their real-life experiences and professional contexts, enriching the quality and relevance of project outcomes.

Through the Women 5.0 project, Mulheres à Obra has been demonstrating the transformative power of collaboration between practitioners and learners. Women who initially joined as entrepreneurs and community members are now taking part in European partnerships as trainers, mentors and content creators, thus supporting other women to develop their digital skills and confidence.

This participatory approach strengthens not only individual competences but also collective impact. It allows women entrepreneurs to become active agents in shaping the future of training, creating materials that speak directly to their peers’ challenges and aspirations.

Testimonies from our representatives

Sandra Couto, real estate consultant and founder of the entrepreneurial community São só Pessoas, shared:

“Participating in the Women 5.0 training in Vienna was a deeply enriching experience. During the programme, we explored the role of Artificial Intelligence as a tool for growth and innovation in women-led businesses and projects. What struck me most was the diversity of the group — trainers from different countries, each with their own perspective and teaching style, creating a real laboratory of ideas and approaches. This experience reinforces the value of European projects and international exchange in strengthening our Mulheres à Obra community. These moments broaden horizons, create new connections and bring fresh knowledge to share among us — inspiration that turns into action and real impact in our businesses and networks. It was a pleasure and an inspiration to take part, and I am certain many more will follow!”

Cláudia Vieira, Business Organizer, added:

“Sometimes opportunities appear when we least expect them and we are not sure what to expect. We go with curiosity, a bit of anxiety and even some fear — but we go anyway. And what an adventure it turned out to be! This month I had the pleasure of taking part in my first European project — the Women 5.0 training. In Vienna, Austria, I had the chance to learn and exchange ideas with people from different countries, contexts and professions. The exchange of knowledge, cultures and experiences was extremely enriching, both personally and professionally. The opportunity to learn how to be a better trainer while applying AI concepts in women-led projects opened a new window to a world I now wish to explore further. I feel grateful for having participated and believe this is only the beginning of a new chapter.”

As expressed by our participants, this is much more than a training activity — it is a collective journey of empowerment and co-creation. For Mulheres à Obra, it marks another step in expanding our network beyond borders and reinforcing the role of women as leaders and innovators within the European learning community.

The Women 5.0 project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and aims to bridge the digital gender divide by empowering women entrepreneurs and trainers through targeted digital skills development and ethical technology use.