Belgium(Brussels Morning Newspaper)– November 13, 2026-A two-day institutional mission conducted by the Women on Board delegation concluded in Brussels with the formalisation of a collaboration agreement with European Women on Boards (EWOB). Promoted by Aidp, Federmanager, Hub del Territorio, and Manageritalia, the initiative held high-level discussions at the European Parliament and regional offices to address equal opportunities and female representation in corporate governance. The new partnership establishes an international framework for professional development, cross-border networking, and the enhancement of female leadership skills across European organisations.
The Women on Board delegation, representing a joint Italian initiative dedicated to expanding female presence in the governance bodies of companies and organisations, completed two days of scheduled institutional engagements in the Belgian capital. According to reports from Adnkronos/Labitalia, the mission focused on skill enhancement, equal opportunities, and the development of international perspectives for female professionals and executives. The primary outcome of the visit was the formal signing of a collaboration agreement between Women on Board and European Women on Boards (EWOB), a European network committed to advancing gender diversity in leadership roles.
During the course of the two-day mission, representatives of the Women on Board project participated in direct institutional dialogues with members of the European Parliament. At the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels, the delegation held formal meetings with Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Dario Nardella, Member of the European Parliament (MEP). In addition to the parliamentary sessions, the delegation convened at the Brussels office of the Emilia-Romagna Region for a dedicated discussion with Stefano Bonaccini, MEP.
Institutional Meetings at the European Parliament and Regional Offices
The agenda of the Brussels mission centred on the intersection of professional competencies, equal opportunities, and corporate competitiveness. Throughout the sessions with European lawmakers, participants examined strategies to encourage a greater presence of women within executive boards and institutional decision-making structures. The discussions addressed how targeted training and the systematic recognition of female talent contribute to more inclusive and effective organisational governance.
Speaking during the institutional engagement at the European Parliament, Vice-President Antonella Sberna addressed the relationship between professional qualifications and leadership appointments. Sberna stated that equal opportunities become concrete when skills translate directly into responsibility. She further noted that promoting a greater presence of women in decision-making positions requires recognising the value of female talent across sectors.
Sberna also highlighted the institutional function of the dialogue hosted within the European Parliament, noting that the exchange offered a valuable opportunity to connect European institutions, businesses, and professional associations. According to the Vice-President, establishing links between these stakeholders is essential for building more balanced and representative governance frameworks.
Alongside the meeting with Sberna, the delegation’s discussions with MEPs Dario Nardella and Stefano Bonaccini provided additional platforms to examine European policies regarding workplace equality and executive representation. The engagement with Bonaccini at the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Brussels representation highlighted the role of regional authorities and territorial networks in supporting professional development and connecting local business ecosystems with broader European initiatives.
Formalisation of the Collaboration Agreement with European Women on Boards
The central institutional milestone of the Brussels visit was the formalisation of the collaboration agreement between Women on Board and European Women on Boards (EWOB). EWOB operates as a European-level network dedicated to promoting female leadership and increasing gender diversity on corporate boards and in senior executive positions across the continent.
According to the project promoters, the agreement inaugurates a new international phase for the Women on Board initiative. Through this partnership, members of the Women on Board community gain structured access to broader European initiatives, expanding their operational scope beyond national borders.
The framework of the agreement encompasses several operational areas designed to support female professionals:
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Participation in European Initiatives: Enabling the Women on Board community to engage directly in programmes, forums, and projects coordinated at the European level.
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Cross-Border Networking Opportunities: Facilitating professional connections between Italian executives, board candidates, and their counterparts across other European member states.
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Institutional and Professional Discussion: Creating channels for ongoing dialogue regarding governance standards, boardroom diversity, and leadership practices across Europe.
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International Professional Development: Providing access to training resources, skill-enhancement modules, and governance preparation designed to meet international corporate standards.
By linking a national training and advocacy network with an established European organisation, the agreement aims to align domestic efforts with wider European objectives concerning gender balance in corporate decision-making.
Structure and Objectives of the Women on Board Initiative
The Women on Board project is promoted through a partnership of four major Italian professional and managerial organisations: Aidp (the Italian Association for Personnel Management), Federmanager (the National Federation of Industrial Executives), Hub del Territorio, and Manageritalia (the National Federation of Managers, Cadres, and Executive Professionals in the tertiary sector).
The founding organisations established the initiative with the specific objective of encouraging a greater female presence within the governance bodies of both private companies and public or non-profit organisations. Rather than focusing solely on regulatory quotas, the project emphasises structured training, governance education, and skill enhancement as the primary mechanisms for preparing women for board-level responsibilities.
Through coordinated programmes involving human resources specialists, industrial managers, and tertiary sector executives, the four promoting entities work to identify qualified female professionals and equip them with the technical, financial, and strategic competencies required for effective board service. The Brussels mission represents an extension of this mission into the European institutional arena, seeking to integrate national talent pools into wider European governance networks.
Alignment of Skills and Corporate Governance Standards
A recurring theme throughout the two-day programme in Brussels was the role of verifiable skills in strengthening corporate governance. Both the promoting organisations and the European Parliament representatives emphasised that increasing female representation in leadership is directly linked to the competitiveness and operational quality of European enterprises.
During the meetings with MEPs Nardella and Bonaccini, as well as Vice-President Sberna, the delegation outlined how the collaboration between managerial associations and human resources networks helps bridge the gap between qualified female candidates and corporate selection processes. By focusing on continuous professional development and international exposure, the Women on Board initiative aims to ensure that female candidates possess the cross-border experience and governance training sought by modern boards of directors.
The conclusion of the Brussels mission establishes an operational link between the Italian managerial associations behind Women on Board and the European institutional and associative landscape. Following the formalisation of the agreement with European Women on Boards, the participating organisations are scheduled to implement joint activities that facilitate international exchanges, shared training initiatives, and ongoing institutional dialogue in Brussels and across member states.
