We are excited to share news about the WISE – Women in STEAM Entrepreneurs Project! From 24 to 26 September 2025, Bantani Education had the honour of hosting the second WISE Residency in Brussels. For three days, our partners and invited guests came together with a shared purpose: to reimagine what gender equality in STEAM can look like when we move beyond awareness and take real action.
Shaping the Road Ahead
During these three days, we worked together to refine the WISE Framework and Toolbox: practical guides designed to help schools, organisations, and policymakers turn good intentions into concrete steps for inclusion.
The groundwork for these materials began during our first residency in Poitiers, France, in February 2025, when all partners met in person for the first time to shape the core values of the WISE Framework. That week was essential to connect, collaborate, and build a shared understanding of the project’s vision and purpose.
Since then, Bantani Education has been leading the development of the Framework, and the Brussels Residency offered the perfect opportunity to review this work and prepare for the next phase. We also laid the foundations for the pilots starting this autumn in France, the Netherlands, and beyond, where the WISE approach will be tested in real classrooms, organisations, and communities across Europe.
Inspiration from Guest Voices
The residency was not just about meetings; it was about people, ideas, and shared commitment. We were thrilled to welcome several inspiring initiatives and professionals working towards similar goals, and to present the WISE Framework and values to them for the first time. Their feedback and insights were invaluable, reinforcing that WISE is part of a much larger European effort to build inclusion and equality in STEAM.
We were honoured to host guest sessions with:
- Girls Go Circular: Laura Borge (EIT Food) and Jurate Radaviciute (Vilnius University) presented the Girls Go Circular programme, which empowers girls aged 14–19 across Europe with digital and entrepreneurial skills through circular economy education.
- STREAM IT Project: Monika Cosma and Cristina Martín from ReadLab shared insights into the STREAM IT project, which addresses gender inequalities in STEM and supports the implementation of the European Manifesto for gender-inclusive STE(A)M education and careers.
- Scientix (The Community for Science Education in Europe): Dr. Agueda Gras-Velazquez from European Schoolnet oversees STEM projects including Scientix, Europe’s leading science education community, which connects educators, policymakers, and industry to advance STEM education. Agueda reminded us of the power of networks in driving systemic change.
These exchanges brought fresh energy into the room, sparking conversations and connections that will continue long after the residency, and inspiring us with examples of real success and impact.
Looking Forward
As we move into the piloting phase, one message stands out clearly: the future of STEAM must be inclusive, and we all have a role to play in making that future a reality.
The spirit of collaboration, openness, and determination that filled these three days in Brussels will carry us forward. We are building not just a framework, but a movement. And this is only the beginning.
Stay connected with us and follow our journey as we continue moving from awareness to action!