The 1st European Tour of Women's Coworking Spaces reveals how women are shaping a more inclusive future of work. And WOMADE is part of this movement beyond borders that is getting more and more recognition.
Europe has seen the emergence of dozens of coworking spaces designed by and for women, at an increased pace since 2017 in the wake of #Metoo. The first pan-European investigation into this phenomenon reveals a thriving movement that transcends borders and cultural particularities. WOMADE is one of the pioneering coworking spaces and communities in this movement that invites women entrepreneurs and freelancers to come together, help each other and experience new forms of sisterhood in rethought work environments.
WOMADE has just been featured as part of the European Tour of Women's Coworking Spaces directed by French entrepreneur and digital nomad Ivanne Poussier. This is a premiere in Europe, which has given birth to a book: Sisters in Arms, women in search of inclusive coworking space. Immersive, this study gives a large place to the testimonies of leaders and members, complemented by the insights of experts and academics.
Based on 6 months of field research in the heart of 30 coworking spaces created by and for women across 22 cities in 13 countries, the book highlights new places and ways of working that respond to the specific challenges of entrepreneurship and freelancing for women. "Reflecting the diversity of their creators and members, women-focused coworking spaces present multiple faces," writes Ivanne Poussier. Her study does not reveal a specifically European model, but rather a declination of six model types - parent-friendly, clubs, women-first, women-only, work collectives & diversity promoters - drawing a landscape of great richness.
Abundantly illustrated, the book also invites readers to delve into the heart of the most secret coworking spaces in Europe, to take an inventory of their facilities (layout, equipment, decoration) and identify good practices in terms of community animation.
This recognitions conforts WOMADE in its mission to empower women entrepreneurs. It her book, Ivanne highlights the initiative of WOMADE, and how innovative our approach is to provide an inspiring creative space for professional women, and rethinking the balancing of professional and private life.
Can you spot our founder, Alba, above?
The ebook is available in English on Amazon US, CA, UK, DE, FR, ES, NL and in French. The printed version is available in French and will be available in a few weeks in English. And tou can read an excerpt here: http://bit.ly/Sisters-in-Arms-extract.