Fundación Iniciativa Social Receives the 'Menina Award 2025' for the Bróders Project

MenEngage member Fundación Iniciativa Social was awarded the Menina Prize from the Spanish Ministry for Equality 2025, for the Bróders Project — a participatory and collaborative initiative rooted in the need to reclaim spaces, amplify diverse voices, and foster creative agendas that imagine hopeful alternatives for the future. The following is a statement they read at the ceremony in Madrid on 26^th November 2025. 

Fundación Iniciativa Social (FIS) wants to express its deep emotion and pride for receiving recognition from Spain’s Ministry of Equality for its Bróders Project. The award was granted as part of the 22^nd edition of the Premios Menina, presented by the Government Delegation against Gender-Based Violence on the occasion of the celebration of the November 25^th, International Day for the elimination of violence against women, in the category of work with men.

FIS wants to extend its gratitude to the feminist colleagues whose tireless work and guidance have shaped its standards of accountability in interventions involving men and masculinities. FIS also acknowledges the longstanding commitment of the Spanish Men for Equality Movement, which for more than 40 years has promoted men’s involvement in preventing gender-based violence.

FIS dedicates special thanks to Laintersección for its early and unwavering support in turning a virtual community of volunteers, professionals, and citizens into the heart of the project. FIS also recognizes MenEngage for demonstrating that social change is built through collective networks, as well as MÄN and our partners at Kil​lar​.se in Sweden for their generosity in helping to launch the project in Spain.

This recognition of Bróders belongs to the entire team of FIS, for their dedication to building a collective vision of citizenship policies, offering transformative tools while defending dignified working conditions amid growing precarity.

Bróders is a participatory and collaborative initiative rooted in the need to reclaim spaces, amplify diverse voices, and foster creative agendas that imagine hopeful alternatives for the future. It aims to provide a platform for young people who refuse to be confined by narrow views of who they are, encouraging them to express instead who they want to become.

FIS extends its special appreciation to the volunteers whose enthusiasm sustains the project and to young participants, whom they regard as the true protagonists of this enterprise. The project promotes a pedagogy of tenderness and care, seeking alternative role models that foster equality, belonging, positive narratives and nonviolent relationships. 

FIS also express gratitude to the Instituto de las Mujeres of the Spanish Government and of the Bask Country (Emakunde) for supporting the development of Bróders as a methodological proposal that can move beyond virtual spaces and adapt to diverse regional and thematic contexts.

FIS views this award as a collective commitment — from institutions, social movements, and citizens alike — to advancing a project that strives to build a better society through work with men from a feminist perspective.

Fundación Iniciativa Social