The international women’s leadership initiative, Homeward Bound (HB), backed by ACCIONA, has officially announced that the next expedition will take place in the iconic Serengeti National Park, Tanzania in 2025. This marks a new direction for the program, which previously concluded its eight editions with expeditions to Antarctica.

Focus on Climate Vulnerability and Community Interdependence

Similar to Antarctica, the Serengeti faces significant environmental challenges, particularly relating to climate change and biodiversity loss. The upcoming expedition will highlight the vital connections between local communities and their ecosystems, aiming to raise awareness about these pressing issues.

Details of the Upcoming Expedition

The HB9 expedition is scheduled for the end of 2025 and will bring together over 100 women who are currently undergoing training in leadership and making a positive impact in various fields.

The previous expedition, named HB8, concluded in February 2023 and featured 124 female scientists and tech experts. Participants experienced the effects of climate change first-hand while engaging in training sessions, workshops, and interdisciplinary discussions.

Spotlight on Spanish Participants

Eight women from Spain were notable participants in the last edition:

• Edith Guedella Bustamante, Environmental Biologist and Sustainability Coordinator at ACCIONA
• María González Fajardo, Civil Engineer at ACCIONA
• Marta Crespo, Head of Photovoltaic Technology at ACCIONA Energía
• Alba Fernández Sanlés, Molecular Biologist
• Paula Moraga Serrano, Professor of Statistics at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
• Rosa Castizo, Director of the “La Rábida” Observatory for Sustainable Development and Climate Change
• Anna González Manjón, Molecular Biologist
• Mercedes Martín, Meteorologist

Building a Legacy of Women Leaders

Founded in 2017, Homeward Bound aims to cultivate a network of 10,000 female leaders by 2036. With 775 women from 69 different nationalities having already participated, the program continues to expand its reach.

The current network features women from 45 diverse disciplines, emphasizing the importance of varied perspectives in addressing global environmental challenges. Many participants hold influential roles in government and international organizations, contributing to crucial dialogues on climate action.

Impact and Advocacy Efforts

Several members of the HB program have actively participated in international climate discussions, including contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and involvement in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Through initiatives like the proposal for the preservation of Marine Protected Areas in Antarctica, put forth by 60 HB participants, the program is enhancing the visibility of women in environmental leadership roles.

Moreover, projects like The Green Book and the Carbon Offset Program showcase best practices in sustainability developed by participants across various HB editions.

ACCIONA’s Commitment to Gender Equality

ACCIONA has been a supporter of Homeward Bound since 2018, emphasizing women’s leadership and climate action through innovative and sustainable approaches. The company actively promotes the inclusion of women in its various sectors and is proud to be part of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index.

Additionally, ACCIONA is engaged with the UN Global Compact’s Women’s Empowerment Principles, advocating for gender equality in the workplace, and implements gender-focused recruitment programs to identify and nurture female talent.