The Top Three Women Organisations for Expats in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city for women. A national trailblazer since the early 1990s, the Barcelona City Council is one of the few in the country with a Regulation for Gender Equality, promoting gender mainstreaming and tackling systemic exclusion in the public sphere.

Women-led organisations are critical to the continual bolstering of female rights and voices beyond local government. Here are my top three picks for local female organisations championing women’s empowerment from welfare to the workplace, each importantly attentive to cross-cultural communication and collaboration.

 1. Professional Women’s Network

PWN Barcelona is a non-profit organisation with a mission to erode global gender gaps in business. Part of a global network, it offers not only the tools but also the connections to boost personal and professional development for female entrepreneurs, businesswomen, and workers across all industry sectors. Hosting over six hundred events annually, PWN offers a range of materials and support for international women to network and collaborate with leaders.

In addition to workshops and coaching, members can sign up for PWN’s accomplished nine-month mentorship programme for successful career transitions and growth. Meanwhile, online resources from forums to webinars, articles, and educational tools offer accessible insight into key skills such as branding, communication, career management, and innovation. PWN’s Barcelona Board consists of the brilliant Uysal Ozsarac, Catriona Meehan, Mari Mouyoungou, and Paola Gomez Corzo, but it’s the organisation’s committed female volunteers that are the vital force keeping the community flourishing.

Upcoming events include a ‘Women on Boards’ Webinar and ‘How to find a job in Barcelona’, a workshop from Mirjam Maarleveld (founder of Barcelona Expat Life, Barcelona Branding, and the Work in Barcelona! Job Fair).

Not only does PWN Barcelona operate within a community across three continents, nurturing critical cross-cultural communication and fostering female leadership, but the organisation believes in its own continual evolution through the expanding network of women, fortifying the message of transformation through change.

Its message: Community. Growth. Impact.

2. Juno House

For those looking to blend business and wellness ‘under one chic roof’, Juno House is the enterprising dollhouse to be at. Located in Diagonal and Aribau, Barcelona’s first private members club for women is a sophisticated haven for those in all stages of their career and personal journeys. Established by three women from the United States and Catalonia, Juno House champions synchronous programmes of networking, business promotion, cross-cultural support, and holistic healthcare. Co-founder and CEO Natalie Batlle was influenced by her experiences during maternity leave to create a supportive and synergetic space for working mothers.

Beyond the wealth of services to enhance professional trajectories, including podcast studios, boardrooms, product showrooms, and mentoring spaces, the clubhouse does not shy away from all other facets of an enriched female schedule to sustain the ideal work-life balance. A gym, library, children’s play centre, glow room, and pump room offer invigorating spaces for support and socialisation. 

Everything whispers earthy, balanced, and powerful. The interior design hues morph from peaches and pinks to sandy linens and oaken surfaces, with a curving marble-lined bar one of many silhouettes echoing that of the female form. Named after the goddess of ‘creativity and innovation’, Juno is indeed the place for the modern woman.

Juno events support local female artists and entrepreneurs, with past collaborations including singer Shaneze, designer Evelin Toledano, and Oysho sportswear. Their FUTURA podcast with a range of guest speakers is also available to listen to on Spotify.

Its message: Collaboration versus competition.

3. allWomen

allWomen is for all those ladies looking to ‘unbind themselves from those tiring stereotypes’ that continue to riddle the landscape of the technology industry. Offering numerous three-month bootcamps and resources to teach women skills in tech-related careers, the training covers data analytics, product management, UX/UI design, and applied AI. Whether they are a new learner or returning after an employment break, allWomen provides the tools to thrive in the contemporary work environment, where being tech-savvy is increasingly important.

High-profile brand partnerships include Skyscanner and Adidas. Furthermore, the range of alumni and case studies accessible on their website highlights the continual accomplishments of allWomen to rewire the narrative around women in technology and innovation.

The organisation was founded by Laura Fernández Gimenez and Cecilia Tham. Fernández Gimenez is CEO while Tham has recently launched several initiatives including the digitally decked out FabCafe. With its leaders championing innovation, inclusion, and diversity within the sciences, allWomen connects female experts and learners within a community of over thirty thousand.

Its message: A safe space for women, created by women only.