Case Study: Supporting Women’s Leadership in Civilian CSDP
How mentorship helps women grow into leadership roles in civilian crisis management
Women are still underrepresented in leadership positions within civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions. Increasing women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in civilian crisis management missions is one of the EU Member States’ commitments according to the Civilian CSDP Compact. This would include women in leadership positions. To help advance this, the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (CoE) and Civilian Operations Headquarters (CivOpsHQ) launched the CSDP Women’s Mentoring Programme in 2021. Now in its fourth round, the programme continues to support aspiring women leaders through mentorship, leadership training, and networking.
What the Programme Focuses On:
Connecting early-career managers in civilian CSDP missions with experienced mentors;
Helping participants build leadership skills through training and networking;
Equipping participants with the knowledge, skills and resources to step into leadership.
How the Programme Works
This nine-month mentoring initiative pairs experienced professionals with early-career managers in civilian CSDP missions
looking to grow their careers within these CSDP missions. It combines one-on-one mentoring, peer-to-peer support in pairs with occasional expert guidance, interactive workshops, and an exclusive online platform—offering participants valuable insights into leadership and career development.
The programme includes:
Introductory training on mentoring and leadership;
Monthly online workshops on leadership topics and progress check-ins;
One-on-one mentor-mentee meetings for tailored guidance;
A dedicated online platform with resources and tools;
Ongoing support from a programme coordinator at the CoE.
“I became more self-aware and improved my teamwork skills. Active listening, inclusiveness, and gender-responsive management have become integral to my approach. I also learned to delegate effectively, enhance team collaboration, and take a more strategic approach to leadership.“
Impact and What’s Next
More than just a leadership programme, the CSDP Women’s Mentoring Programme helps participants feel part of a supportive community of like-minded professionals. Many leave with a stronger sense of purpose, confidence, and fulfilment. Some gain lifelong friendships, while others take bold career steps or even organise study visits between missions.
The programme continues to evolve based on participant feedback. Moving forward, there are plans to integrate leadership skills gained through mentoring into performance evaluations, reinforcing its impact on professional growth.
