Berlin Hosts Closing Event of MothersCan – Care, Career, Change

The official closing event of the Erasmus+ project MothersCan took place at the historic Biesdorf Palace in Berlin. Hosted by Olga Gauks, Member of the Berlin House of Representatives, the event brought together representatives from politics, business and education, and engaged mothers to celebrate and discuss the project’s achievements. Make Mothers Matter (MMM) presented the German findings of its 2024 State of Motherhood in Europe survey.

In her welcome address, Olga Gauks highlighted the importance of equal opportunities for mothers and access to continuing professional education, emphasizing MothersCan’s aim: to provide mothers with the resources and networks to develop their professional and personal potential.

Prof. Dr. Bernhard Beckmann, European Educational Institute for Vocational Training and Society, EBG, and Theodor Grassos, Secretary General, European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training, EVBB, underlined the project’s international dimension and its contribution to more inclusive education policies.

Thomas Zimmermann and Daniela Baum (Plan B gGmbH) presented an in-depth look at the project’s phases and achievements, with a particular focus on its positive impact on mothers’ professional integration and the creation of training opportunities tailored to their needs.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the mothers’ survey by Make Mothers Matter, which showcased the challenges mothers face in balancing work and family life in Germany. Johanna Schima, MMM’s head of EU Delegation, highlighted the findings which reveal that German mothers report some of the highest rates of mental health challenges across the 12 countries surveyed.

SOME KEY German FIGURES

• 26% of mothers report depression (EU average: 20%)
• 46% feel mentally overloaded
• 68% change their employment status after having children (EU average: 55%)
• 21% leave paid work after their first child
• 44% feel society does not value their role

Johanna’s intervention offered recommendations for employers and policymakers. She stressed that meaningful change requires stronger support for parents, including longer, better-paid parental leave and flexible working rights. Her recommendations included:

• Expanding well paid parental leave and enabling fathers to actively participate in childcare.
• Strengthening enforceable rights to flexible work arrangements adapted to family needs.
• Providing high-quality, affordable childcare, including family-based and community alternatives.
• Crediting caregiving periods toward pensions and recognising unpaid care work as valuable labor.
• Promoting family-friendly companies and making parental skills visible and valued in the labor market.
• Reforming tax policies that create barriers to equal employment opportunities for mothers.

The event’s panel discussion featured Martha Kauffmann, entrepreneur, Mali Berlin gGmbH, Dr.-Ing. Diana Tartakowska, interim expert and auditor, Daniela Baum, and Johanna Schima, Make Mothers Matter, who explored the future of vocational education for mothers, highlighting the importance of targeted programs and political and workplace measures to support the reconciliation of family and career.

The event was a resounding success and marked an important step toward a more equitable working world for mothers. The project itself was recognized for its impact, winning the Die Europa  Prize, which honors exceptional educational initiatives.

About the MothersCan Project:
The funded ERASMUS+ project MothersCan aimed to open new perspectives for mothers through targeted vocational training opportunities and to support them in their professional development. Through close collaboration with partners from the education sector, politics, and business, the project was able to initiate concrete changes and create a supportive network for working mothers.