27th WAVE Conference 2025 Recap: Feminist Solidarity and Collective Action

Dates: 22–23 September 2025
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Theme: Feminist Solidarity and Collective Action: Reclaiming our Power to End Violence Against Women
Organised by: The WAVE Office, in cooperation with Romanian WAVE Member Organisations A.L.E.G. Association for liberty and equality of gender (Asociatia pentru libertate si egalitate de gen), Anais Association (Asociația Anais), Necuvinte Association (Asociația Necuvinte), and Dr. Max Foundation (Fundația Dr. Max).

Overview

The 27th WAVE Conference brought together over 160 practitioners, advocates, researchers, youth ambassadors, and policy makers from across Europe to share strategies to end violence against women and girls. Over two days in Bucharest, participants connected across borders, exchanged tools that work on the front line, and renewed a collective commitment to feminist solidarity.

This year’s programme centred practical know‑how alongside movement building. Day one featured public sessions and high‑level conversations. Day two focused on member‑only workshops that offered hands‑on learning and peer exchange.

“The 27th WAVE conference reminded us that our greatest strength lies in unity—when we stand together in feminist solidarity, we transform challenges into lasting change. I leave reenergized in the belief that – even in these challenging political times – our collective resistance, care, and courage will continue to shape a more empowering future for women and girls.”
— Stephanie Futter-Orel

Highlights

Day 1: Public sessions and high‑level dialogue

Opening plenary on reclaiming feminist power through solidarity and collective action.
Policy exchange with invited guests from European and national institutions.
Panels and discussions:
- Women’s Rights at a Crossroads: Impacts and Resistance in the Face of Regression with Andrea Pető (Central European University), Benedetta Tonettiis (CADMI/D.i.Re), Baia Pataraia (Sapari, Georgian Women’s Movement), and Eva Zillén (Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation), highlighting the rise of anti-gender movements and feminist strategies of resistance.
- Strategic Alliance-Building for Feminist Solidarity featuring Mihaela Mangu (ANAIS), Simona Voicescu (Necuvinte), Cristina Horia (Dr. Max Foundation), and Camelia Proca (A.L.E.G.), discussing sustainable partnerships and funding frameworks for women’s organisations.
- Bridging Crises and Change: Feminist Insights on Prevention and Support in Romania showcasing national responses, collaboration with institutions, and innovative survivor-centred models of support.
The conference also opened its doors to journalists, offering interviews and opportunities to engage with speakers and members.
Networking and collaboration moments to build cross‑border connections.
Evening reception to celebrate the network’s achievements and provide space for informal exchanges.
Film screening: An Army of Women, a Norwegian documentary highlighting survivors’ voices and the transformative impact of collective feminist action.

Day 2: Member workshops and capacity building

Day two was dedicated to WAVE members and prioritised practical skills and peer support.

Leadership at WAVE: panel discussion with potential Board candidates on priorities for the network and member needs.
Surprise visit: Member of the Senate, Ruxandra Cibu‑Deaconu, joined participants, recognising the work of specialist services and the importance of collaboration Bucharest and highlighted national efforts to combat gender‑based violence.
Workshops were grouped into three main strands:
- Resilience & Innovation in Grassroots Organising: Harnessing Collective Power in Challenging Times
  - Fear, Repressions, Exile: Case of Belarus — Preparing feminist organisations for state repression, digital/personal security, and continuing work in exile
  - From Burnout to Collective Power — Reframing burnout as systemic and co-creating a “Collective Power Toolkit” for sustainable activism
  - Navigating Challenges in Providing Support to Refugee Women — Lessons from Necuvinte’s Safe Space for Women and Girls project for Ukrainian refugees in Romania
  - Artificial Intelligence as a Feminist Tool — Exploring opportunities and risks of AI in shelters and advocacy, with a focus on migrant and marginalised women
- Strategic Alliance-Building for Feminist Solidarity: From Fragmented Efforts to Collective Power
  - Bridging the Gap: Building Strategic Partnerships Beyond the Usual Allies — Partnerships across NGOs, local governments, and private sector
  - Claiming Space, Shaping Strategy — Migrant and Refugee Women’s rights at the core of feminist solidarity, by the WAVE MRW Working Group
  - Building a Roadmap for Unconventional and New Alliances — Practical exercises on forging alliances with unlikely partners
- Reaching the ‘Movable Middle’ & Changing the Narrative: Expanding Support through Visionary, Inclusive Communication
  - Who Tells the Story? — Shifting narratives on conflict-related sexualised violence through survivor-centred storytelling and advocacy
  - Invisible Pioneers — Educating educators on child sexual safety in Russia’s restrictive environment
  - Responsible Reporting Matters — Changing media narratives on VAWG

What participants took away

Concrete tools to strengthen survivor‑centred services and staff wellbeing.
Practical strategies for coalition building, communications, and partnership management.
New contacts for cross‑border projects, referrals, and policy work.
Fresh momentum to carry local and regional advocacy into the year ahead.

Thank you

Warm thanks to our Romanian member organisations and local partners for their collaboration, as well as to speakers, facilitators, and all participants who made the two days impactful. Special appreciation to volunteers and staff who supported logistics and accessibility.