STREAM IT (Streaming girls and women into stem education, innovation and research) is an EU funded WIDERA project that starts on January 2024 and lasts until December 2026. Its commitment focuses on promoting change in persistent gender inequalities in STEAM education, research and innovation to contribute to the implementation of the ‘European Manifesto for Gender Inclusive STEM(A)M Education and Careers’. In order to achieve this, four objectives are proposed: Empowering underrepresented groups in STEM, with a special focus on girls; promoting gender-inclusive career paths and increasing the talent pipeline in STEM fields, along with enhancing the attractiveness of STEM career; piloting and fostering the integration of STEAM approaches in STEM education by synthesizing previous knowledge and networks, and supporting STEM education providers by sharing knowledge and building capacity to eliminate gender-based barriers, including gender stereotypes in STEM education.

Among the different initiatives and toolkits developed within the STREAM IT project we want to present and promote the creation of the National Inspiration Hubs (NIH), an idea developed by one of the consortium partners: STEAM Island. This idea was born to serve as a call to action for stakeholders who recognise the transformative power of education and are committed to fostering a more just and equitable society. To achieve this goal, it aims to provide a structured approach that includes needs assessments, action planning, and resource development, which enables educators and organizations to create environments where gender equality in STEM is prioritized and actively promoted.

Additionally, NIH are designed with scalability in mind, offering a flexible model that can be adapted and replicated across different regions and educational contexts within Europe, thereby amplifying its impact. So, NIH are envisioned as critical infrastructures to support and collectively empower educators in their role as agents of change, with the goal of supporting teachers to address the persistent gender disparities in STEM education and careers. The aims of NIH are: Addressing gender disparities in STEM; empowering educators as change agents; fostering collaboration and community engagement; building a sustainable and scalable network and contributing to a more equitable future. In summary, the NIH aims to be a collaborative platform where different stakeholders, specifically, secondary school teachers, have a significant influence on their students' future decisions, can exchange best practices, share resources, and develop innovative approaches to STEM education that promote gender equality. Evidence-based strategies will also be provided to help educators foster gender-inclusive teaching practices.

As circumstances vary from country to country, NIH adapts accordingly in different countries, so in this communication we will focus on presenting the specific actions and process followed in the creation of the Spanish NIH with the intention of calling on all those interested in being part of an active and strong working community committed to the development of gender-sensitive initiatives that foster interest and participation in STEM disciplines.

Keywords: Gender, STEM, European Project.