A growing coalition of organisations from across Scotland’s enterprise, education, health, research, public and community sectors will gather in Edinburgh this September for the Scotland-Wide Women’s Convening 2026. Taking place on 18 September 2026 at Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart Campus, the Convening has been created to explore a simple but increasingly important question: How can Scotland create more practical pathways that enable women to participate, contribute and thrive across work, enterprise, education, health, leadership and community life? While Scotland benefits from a wide range of support organisations, programmes and services, many women continue to face challenges navigating opportunities relating to employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, leadership, wellbeing, financial inclusion, digital participation and economic advancement. The Convening seeks to address this challenge by bringing together organisations that play a direct role in helping people access opportunities, build capability, receive support, make connections and progress through different stages of life and work. Recent organisations joining the Convening include Business Gateway and the Futures & Analytics Research Hub (FAR) at Edinburgh Napier University. Business Gateway supports individuals and businesses across Scotland through practical enterprise advice, business support and growth services, helping people transform ideas into sustainable economic activity. The Futures & Analytics Research Hub (FAR) advances digital literacy, future skills, data capability and inclusion, recognising that digital confidence is increasingly becoming a gateway to employability, entrepreneurship, leadership and participation in modern society. Alongside participating organisations, the Convening will feature a range of dedicated Access Zones designed to connect attendees directly with services, opportunities, expertise and support networks. These Access Zones will focus on areas including enterprise and business support, employment and careers, education and skills development, digital inclusion, health and wellbeing, leadership, research and innovation, finance and funding, community engagement and social impact. The event will also encourage collaboration through referral pathways, enabling organisations to connect women with relevant services, programmes, mentors, training opportunities and specialist support beyond the event itself. Organisers believe stronger referral networks can help reduce barriers and improve access to opportunities across Scotland. Together, participating organisations, Access Zones and referral partners represent several of the key themes shaping the Convening: • Enterprise and Economic Participation • Digital Inclusion and Future Skills • Health and Wellbeing • Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning • Leadership and Representation • Community Development and Social Mobility • Research, Innovation and Evidence-Based Practice • Access to Support, Services and Opportunities The Scotland-Wide Women’s Convening is built around a unique Access Zone model designed to help participants connect directly with organisations, services, opportunities, resources and practical next steps. Rather than focusing solely on discussion, the event aims to strengthen pathways between support systems and the women seeking to engage with them, creating meaningful connections that continue beyond the Convening. The Convening will bring together representatives from academia, enterprise agencies, employers, financial institutions, research centres, community organisations, health services, charities, policymakers, referral partners and women from diverse backgrounds across Scotland. Organisers hope the event will contribute to wider conversations around inclusive economic growth, workforce participation, entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, wellbeing, leadership, social mobility, community resilience and equitable access to opportunity. Media, partnership and participation enquiries: ifydada@theholisticwellbeingsummit.org The Scotland-Wide Women’s Convening is part of the wider work of The Holistic Wellbeing Summit, a cross-sector platform bringing together academia, healthcare, enterprise, community organisations, policymakers and industry leaders to develop practical approaches that strengthen wellbeing, participation and opportunity.

Description supplied by the event organiser.