INTERNATIONAL PROJECT

Why now? A Time for Progress

During ongoing discussions about gender equality, we are excited to announce our project, ”New Masculinities in the Nordics.”

This initiative brings together leading organizations from across the region:

Add Gender and Boss Business Partner from Sweden, KUN Centre for Equality and Diversity from Norway, Norm from Denmark, and TalTech University from Estonia.

Read our blogpost about the collaboration here.

A Unique opportunity

We want to hear directly from men in the Nordics about their experiences with workplace gender equality initiatives. Over the past several years, significant efforts have been made to raise awareness and foster cultural change. This project offers an invaluable chance to understand how these initiatives have been received and to learn from the insights shared.

By exploring these perspectives, we aim to build on existing progress and further support positive change in workplaces across the region.

Invitation TO REPORT LAUNCH

MAPPING THE PATH

The will is there – now we need to draw the map

Welcome to our digital Lanuch seminar where we present our new report, New Masculinities in the Nordics, reveals that many men in the nordic and baltic countries are eager to contribute to positive change in their workplaces. However, our interviews with men across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Estonia show that moving from ”passive support” to ”active allyship” requires clear guidance, organizational support, and a better understanding of the barriers men face.

What the data tells us The project initially set out to investigate men’s responses to diversity interventions, but the results painted a clear picture of potential allies seeking a way forward. The participants in our study expressed a strong desire to be part of gender equality work but often lacked the ”map” on how to navigate it effectively.

During this launch, we will present the key findings from our project , including:

The Journey to Allyship: How men move from a ”turning point”—often triggered by personal relationships or witnessing unfairness—toward active learning and skill-building.
The 4 Archetypes: Our analysis identified distinct types of engagement among the participants, ranging from ”The Family Man” (motivated by care for daughters or partners) to ”The Disempowered Agent” (who wants to act but lacks the mandate or support to do so).
”Hacking Homosociality”: How we can use existing male bonds and networks not to exclude, but to normalize conversations about equality and inspire other men to act.

Join us to discuss the results The study shows that we cannot rely on a ”one size fits all” approach. To truly engage men, we need to understand their diverse motivations- whether it is the business case for diversity or a personal sense of justice.

We invite you to the launch of these new results. Together, let’s look at the map and discuss how we can support men in navigating the journey toward gender equality.

About the project

Project aim

The aim of the project is to research and compile a report on men’s reactions to diversity initiatives and gender equality practices in Nordic workplaces.

Method

We will use data collection through interviews and surveys to analyse men’s perspectives on gender equality initiatives in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The results will form the basis for updates to training materials and an awareness-raising campaign. The project will consist of planning, comprehensive literature review, data analysis, workshops and campaigning.

Outcome

The desired outcomes are: a comprehensive report on men’s reactions to gender equality and diversity initiatives, development and dissemination of training materials, wider acceptance and involvement of men in gender equality work, and a sustainable Nordic network.