1) To identify the best practices of internal corporate governance mechanisms that support “gender diversity and women voice” on corporate boards across European countries. 2) To develop digital adult education modules and an e-book targeting current and potential corporate board members. 3) To promote “gender diversity and women voice” on a publicly available, open access digital interactive platform targeting all corporate stakeholders. 4) To contribute to the European governmental institutions on regulatory actions related to mandatory and voluntary regulations on gender diversity. 5) To assist European corporate businesses by showing a roadmap to sustainable development goals. 6) To contribute to the social development of European society by promoting gender diversity on top management of the companies.
According to the empirical evidence, gender diversity on boards benefits company value and sustainability thus, gender diversity in corporate decision making would lead to a development in economic and social welfare. It is a function of raising women’s voice on corporate boards. The mandatory and voluntary regulatory actions use external corporate governance mechanisms to increase diversity on boards, but research shows that external mechanisms provide limited benefits. The issue of increasing gender diversity on boards must go beyond numbers and quotas toward increasing the voice of women on boards which can only achieved through internal corporate governance mechanisms. There has not been a thorough study that examines the internal corporate governance mechanisms that promote gender diversity on boards. In this project, internal corporate governance mechanisms and best practices, common to different cultures within Europe that promote gender diversity are identified and a women voice model is created. The model and its components are explained in an e-book and the issue is is promoted through digital adult training modules. Through project activities, awareness on board diversity increased in the business community.