Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, EmpowerUs is a €6 million, three-year project that will empower coastal communities to transition towards more resilient, inclusive and sustainable coastal development.
As part of this program, a series has been launched called WomenMakingWaves
that celebrates and highlights female ocean trailblazers across Europe who have been empowered by or have empowered the ocean. These include women making waves in:
Norway
In Norway women are shaping a sustainable future for marine environments and the people who depend on them. These include the Jorid Langskjær a Fisheries Innovator who launched a small-scale fishing operation. At the peak of her operation, she sold over 15,000 wrasse in a single season to nearby fish farms, in Træna and across neighbouring communities in Tomma, Lurøy, and Lovund, helping combat sea lice in salmon farming. Her business filled a critical niche just as cleaner fish were becoming more recognised for their role in sustainable aquaculture.
Bulgaria
Three Bulgarian women have ventures tied to the sea: Iliyana Stoilova, an athlete and activist fighting for a cleaner ocean; Diana Pavlova, a dedicated environmentalist working to protect the Black Sea; and Dimana Shishkova, a filmmaker collecting and sharing inspiring stories across the Black Sea coast.
Spain
In Spain, where the ocean is deeply embedded in culture and livelihood, some women have forged connections with the water. These include Elvira Pujol Font, the last lighthouse keeper of Cap de Creus, and Quima Jaume, a poet whose words captured the spirit of the sea.
Ireland
Irish women have long played a vital role in the country’s maritime heritage. These include Bríd O’Connor a Marine Ecologist and PhD Researcher. She has done research on shark and ray ecology and explored their role in the intertidal food web of West Africa. Her PhD work has involved assessing the sensitivity of nearly 200 fish species in the Northeast Atlantic, followed by joint Species Distribution Modelling to identify suitable habitats for these sensitive species. The next step will involve conducting risk assessments on these species to evaluate threats in areas where their range frequently overlaps.
Cyprus
Women in Cyprus are encouraging others to engage with the ocean in meaningful and engaging ways. These include Stalo Leontiou a PhD Candidate and Monitoring & Research Assistant. As part of her research, the EmpowerUs Cyprus TCL of Eastern Limassol has beem identified as an important conservation area for cross realm conservation planning. Also contributing towards initiatives such as the EU Cost Action, MarCons (Advancing marine conservation in the European and contiguous seas) and Reporting under Article 12 of the EU Birds Directive.
Åland
With a complex governance system balancing environmental protection and fisheries, the unique archipelago relies on the sea for both livelihood and cultural identity. In Åland some women have forged deep connections with the ocean. These include Anni Blomqvist (1909–1990) whose legacy endures not only in literature but in the cultural identity of Åland.
