Women for Progress 2026: in Salento (Italy) the young women who are changing the world

The 2026 edition offers a ten‑day program dedicated to personal growth, institutional meetings, and the discovery of Salento. During the globally broadcast final, the project of the 2025 winner, Brazilian participant Khrystma Siberth, who is providing clean drinking water to 400 Amazonian families, will be presented.

LECCE, 09/05/2026 (informazione.news - comunicati stampa - non profit)

From 29 May to 7 June 2026, Salento will welcome young women from every continent for the eleventh edition of Women for Progress – Women Supporting the World, the international event held in Santa Maria di Leuca and organized by the cultural association In Progress (Taranto). The initiative promotes gender equality, social inclusion, and sustainability in line with the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Among the most anticipated participants is Brazilian winner Khrystma Siberth, whose project Aguaí introduced a sustainable filtration system that transforms açaí seeds into activated charcoal. Since 26 April, thanks to this technology, around 400 families in the rural community of Vila Princesa, north of Manaus in the Amazon basin, finally have access to safe drinking water. The concrete impact of this initiative—an easily replicable model for many vulnerable communities—embodies the mission of the event in support of health and the environment. For this reason, the program has received the High Patronage of the European Parliament and the moral patronage of the Italian Ministry of Tourism.

The Messapia Hotel & Resort, serving as headquarters, will host the Ambassadors of Progress for ten days as they meet institutions and local communities and explore the beauty of the region.

The official opening is scheduled for Friday, 29 May, with the arrival of international delegations. The following day will feature the orientation briefing and a cruise between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, while Sunday, 31 May, will be dedicated to evaluating new projects and, in the evening, a seminar on female cancer prevention led by Dr. Tatiana Bisanti.

On Monday, 1 June, Nardò will host the press conference, a city tour, and meetings with students. Tuesday, 2 June, will feature the final of Chef for Progress, curated by Mirco Vigna and the World Team Cuochi Italia, followed by the Elegance Award. On Friday, 5 June, the final of Miss Progress International will be broadcast live at 9:00 p.m.

Alongside official events and gala preparations, the delegations will have the opportunity to discover local culinary traditions and explore the region’s beaches and historic towns.

Women for Progress, which counts the University of Bari among its partners, continues to serve as a training ground for new generations. The full program and additional information are available on the official website: www.womenforprogress.it.