W2T in Estonia

It is the first time that Estonia has the chance to participate in a project under the EU’s fifth framework strategy programme on gender equality. The project addresses human resource development from a new perspective, little practiced yet in Estonia, which recognizes that gendered experiences and balanced leadership add value and bring real dividends to the long-term competitiveness and development of organisations.

The project’s primary target group is midcareer women executives who have already advanced in their careers to some extent and who are willing and able to take on executive duties at the top of their organisation. Being appointed as a candidate does not mean the person is guaranteed the job at the top; candidates are agents of change who pave the way and show that women wish to pursue careers and are capable of doing so.

The candidates are offered training and mentoring support for developing their managerial skills alongside with opportunities to engage in professional networks of female managers, nationally and internationally. In doing so, the project makes extensive use of expertise, tools and best practices developed in EU member states.

The mentors are appointed from the participating organisations. Mentors are appointed by top management and have a special responsibility for championing both the candidates and the project.The mentor helps the candidate to achieve her goals, bring her skills to the fore and extend her professional contacts. The principle is followed where the mentor is from one organisation, and the mentee from another.

For greater synergy and complementarity the project seeks to involve on the Estonian side companies (co-)owned by Swedish or international capital, among them Hansabank, the Union Bank, ABB, IBM, NCC, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The project offers the participating organisations/ participants the opportunity to
- attend a one-day seminar on organisational theories and gender; delivered by Swedish   experts based on the book to be published within the project "It’ll be in Order" by Anna   Wahl, Pia Höök, Charlotte Holgersson and Sophie Linghag. Time: June 3, 2004. Target   group: project partner organisations in Estonia, female managers, representatives of   recruitment firms, employers, etc
- participate in mentoring schemes (15 mentees in total from participating organisations; 15   mentors in total from participating organisations, i.e. approximately 6 persons from each   organisation involved)
- participate in 2 seminars for mentors and mentees. Time: Aug 19; October 2004
- appoint mentors/mentees to participate in an international conference in
  Stockholm, (altogether 15 participants); Time: January 24-25, 2005
- have access to the project website www.women2top.net where tools, methods and good   practices are assembled.

The project will be promoted via the media.
The project is led by the Ministry of Social Affairs
Project leader: Riina Kytt