The She4Sea project’s objectives responded to the urgent need to address persistent gender imbalances in the maritime sector, which remains traditionally male-dominated. Women often face barriers to entering and advancing in maritime careers, partly due to limited access to targeted training and a lack of recognition for essential soft skills. Leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainability literacy are increasingly critical for success in today’s evolving blue economy, yet these competencies are often overlooked in traditional training. By focusing on these soft skills, the project aimed to equip women with the tools needed to confidently pursue and thrive in maritime professions. Raising awareness among stakeholders and educators was essential to foster systemic change, ensuring that gender equality and skill development become priorities within the industry. Providing accessible, self-guided training and career planning tools directly addressed the need for flexible learning paths that accommodate diverse backgrounds and support women’s empowerment in a competitive labour market.
The project aimed to empower unemployed women by opening access to careers in three maritime sectors: tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, and transport. It addressed the maritime industry's long-standing gender imbalance, rooted in outdated beliefs that “sea-related” jobs are only for men. The project promoted soft skills training in leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainability—skills now vital for a smart, green maritime economy. It also provided VET trainers and organizations with tools and methods to deliver gender-sensitive training, using EU frameworks like EntreComp and GreenComp, adapted to sector needs. A core objective was to raise awareness of the lack of women in maritime decision-making and to show how diversity improves performance and work culture. By building women’s confidence and capabilities, and by challenging stereotypes, the project aimed to create visible change. Awareness was promoted as the foundation for more inclusive, future-proof maritime careers.