I wrote blog post in January 2008 about the networks that are available for women in Sweden and have now a more complete list:
Shenet. A network that arranges regular events comprising of speakers, panel discussions, fashion shows and exhibitions, started by entrepreneur Maria Forssen. Open to women running their own business or in leading postions. Events are usually varied, inspiring and interesting and Maria Forssen usually has a number of interesting projects on the go.
Driftig.nu. Online forum for female entrepreneurs. Started and run by two inspirational women Sofia Bergstjerna and Friday Haavisto. They are the brains behind the Beautiful Business Awards and Driftig is part of their total concept. You can read more about them here.
Elwira. For female entrepreneurs in Western Sweden.
Lunchnätet, The Lunch Network. Lunch network for women in Stockholm, Göteborg, Genève and London. A lot of media and PR people. Website has not been updated in a while.
Nätverket Göran. Both an online network as well as regular activities including a mentor program and networking events. Predominantly southern Sweden but slowly establshing themselves in Stockholm too.
Business In Heart. Stockholm based netowrk with breakfast meetings and training. Currently expanding into Malmö and Göteborg. The network is part of their business concept.
Magma. A network split into four regions around the country for creative and enterprising women who work within the areas of culture, equality, integration and small business.
Women In Progress. Mentor program and breakfast meetings for female managers, project leaders, specials and business owners. Events tend to be in Stockholm and Göteborg and include introduction days of/for new members.
Barbros Best and Brightest. Selected group of talented women that make up New York-Swede Barbro Ehnbom's network.
Wiminvest. Aim to help organisations keep their talented youth and create a workplace that they want to stay, develop and become key personnel in the organisation in the future. Their talent program helps young women develop their potential in a way that both they and the company can gain from.
Bizwoman. Network of women (90%) around the country brought together by a free newsletter rather than any exchange with the other members. Courses and coaching also available at a discounted cost.
Necto. A professional network aimed at former Handelshögskolan students.
Nätverk Affärskvinnor. Handelskammaren's (Stockholm Chamber of Commerce) network for women who are somewhat established in their career. Handelskammaren also have netorks for young business women, 25–30 years as well as networks in their offices around the country.
Q80. One of Sweden's oldest networks for women, started in 1980. They limit the network to 150 people and applications to become a member ar handled by the board. Seminars and a mentor program are part of their activities.
Klara K. A training program that includes 6 seminars and creates a network from the participants. Group discussions, mingle, buffet and books. Anna Cederquist and Susanne Özmete are the founders of this program.
Ruter Dam. Perhaps the most well-known mentor program and award of annual "Ruter Dam". Founder Gunilla Arhén and Ruter Dam Foundation´s goal is more high-level female executives at major companies, in organisations and politics. The Foundation has been running a management development and mentor programme for women in leading positions since 1987.
Novare. Management development programs offered to executives. Some networks/programs only available to those within Investor or Wallenberg-related companies.
Hilda. Swedish Bar Association's network for female lawyers with both lunch meetings and a mentor program.
Womentor. Career development for women in IT-Telecom sector in management positions. Participating companies provide mentor, meetings and training are part of the program.
Lova. Network for female logisticians, run by Schenker but no information is available on their site.
Win. A professional network that started in 2004. The goal is to provide a platform where women can network and establish relationships that benefit their career and business. The network has groups in 5 regions around the country and is open to women of all ages, professions, nationalities, religions, sectors, heirarchial levels etc.
Styrelsekvinnor.com. Membership based network started by 6 women in 2007. Their vision is to both inspire, develop and recruit women into listen company boards. Membership is by application and includes training and a database for recruiting companies.
Carpe Competencia. Sweden's biggest netowrk for academic women. The network is open to all academic women but aimed at the young, including those who have not yet graduated.
Kvinnliga Företagare. An online meeting place for women running a business.
KvinnorKan. An organisation promoting equal rights, obligations and opportunities for men and women. The organisation started in 1975 based on Barbro Holm-Löfgren's research at the end of the 60s. In 1984 they organised a trade fair under the name of Kvinnor Kan in Göteborg where women of all ages, backgrounds, experiences and professions showed the best of what they could contribute with. The fair became KvinnorKan's platform which they have built on.
Many of these organisations, programs and networks offer mentoring, training, inspiration and recognition for excellence in the form of awards and grants.
One thing that becomes strikingly obvious after going through this list is the absence of a network specifically for non-Swedish women. Perhaps it is time to change that......
Source:
Veckans Affärer March 12 2009
Nätverken som lyfter karriären.
