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Scholarship, Mentoring and Leadership Academy
Educate, Empower and Enable Women to Achieve Their Goals
At Soroptimist International of Europe, we believe in the transformative power of investing in women’s potential. True to our mission to Educate, Empower, and Enable, SIE offers a wide range of support initiatives across the Federation through scholarships, mentoring, and leadership academies, we support women and girls in advancing their education, building their careers, and gaining the confidence to lead—fostering a strong, connected community of empowered change-makers.
In addition to the SIE Scholarship Fund, Unions and Clubs throughout Europe independently award scholarships and organise mentoring programmes tailored to the needs of women in their countries and communities. Each year, grants totalling millions of euros are awarded to support vocational training, advanced degrees, international studies, and specialised education.
Mentoring programmes vary in format and scope, but all share a common goal: empowering women to succeed professionally. Some Clubs partner with universities to deliver tailored guidance and training, while others collaborate with institutions to support young women through structured mentorships.
Together, these initiatives help build a future where women and girls have the tools, opportunities, and networks to thrive.
Scholarship
We offer financial support to help women—both Soroptimists and non-Soroptimists—pursue education and professional advancement. Soroptimists contribute to the SIE Scholarship Fund through their annual membership fees. This enables the organisation to award grants totaling approximately 70,000€ each year to support young women in their educational journeys. Scholarships may cover a variety of needs, including university tuition, vocational training, and general support during studies.
Unions and Clubs submit applications on behalf of their designated candidates to the SIE Scholarship Committee. Candidates are also expected to contribute toward their own education. The Committee reviews the applications and recommends recipients and grant amounts, which are then provisionally approved by the SIE Board, and confirmed by the Governors at our Annual Meeting.
Over the years, SIE has helped hundreds of women achieve their professional goals, with a particular emphasis on supporting women and girls pursuing studies in STEAM fields.
In honour of Dr Suzanne Noël (1878–1954), the pioneering French Soroptimist who helped establish Soroptimist International in Europe, the Dr Suzanne Noël Scholarship Fund was created in 1960. Funded by Federation members, this special scholarship is awarded every two years to women under the age of 50 who hold a medical degree and wish to specialise, refine their skills, or conduct research in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
For more information contact: [email protected]
Mentoring: Empowering Women Through Connection
Mentoring is central to SIE’s mission to Educate, Empower, and Enable women and girls. Our mentoring programmes create meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships where experienced members guide and support mentees on their personal and professional journeys. Mentoring builds leadership, confidence, and collaboration across SIE. It’s more than sharing knowledge, it’s about helping mentees define their vision for the future and take confident steps towards their goals.
Structured for Impact
SIE offers formal mentoring programmes with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and defined timeframes (6, 9, or 12 months). These initiatives focus on:
- Leadership development
- Supporting immigrant women
- Recruiting and retaining members
- Increasing organisational visibility
For more information visit SIE Member Area (Downloads – Mentoring and Leadership Academy) or contact: [email protected]
Soroptimist Leadership Academy
The Soroptimist Leadership Academy (SLA) is a flagship initiative designed to empower young women through leadership training and mentorship. It brings together experienced Soroptimist and non-Soroptimist professionals to share their expertise, aiming to help participants become leaders in their own lives.
The SLA fosters collaboration between Soroptimists from different Unions and Single Clubs, strengthening a Europe-wide network of professional women.
Aligned with Soroptimist International’s mission to Educate, Empower, and Enable, the SLA promotes leadership, gender equality, and community engagement. It equips participants with essential skills to pursue their personal and professional goals.
Hosted by at least one Union or Single Club, the SLA:
- Supports women into leadership roles through training and mentorship
- Builds a strong mentoring network using members’ expertise
- Promotes digital mentor-mentee engagement
- Attracts and retains members across the Soroptimist community
For more information visit SIE Member Area (Downloads – Mentoring and Leadership Academy) or contact: [email protected]
