Once we decided to respond positively to the submission of the “STAR Girls” proposal so that it becomes a much promising European project, our first thought both as women and scientists/researchers was “let’s go for it!”. It’s not just the statistics of the European Union, attributing to women very small percentages of representation in the sectors of VET, STEM, energy efficiency and renewable energy, i.e., all that has to do with net-zero industry that drove us to get thrilled about the perspective of a project like STAR Girls… but mainly that inner deep desire as – former girls – to be able to put some bricks on that “bridge” that all current girls with a strong potential in science will step upon to be led to a brighter future!!
And there was the chance to act double: at an EU level, the idea of this project comes to meet a dual purpose: on the one hand, the confronting of the gender stereotypes in the male dominated field of clean/green energy, being also one of the priorities of the European Education Area, and on the other hand the upskilling of the workforce especially addressing the technical and soft skills. So, we found out that one of the most critical obstacles that women face is the lack of mentorship opportunities, and certainly not the lack of neither talent nor – often exceptional – skills of young girls! And then it came into mind! Young generation loves role models!! What could be more suitable than such “models” to act in a guiding and catalytic way and motivate the young girls when the time comes for them to choose their career…
The role models / exceptional women who have made a great progress in the scientific field will efficiently interact with young girls in a “win – to – win” procedure, the latter expressing their bigger concerns but also dreams and gaining from the experience of the female professionals being their -attentively selected – mentors, so as to walk the path towards a promising and gender equal future in the world of sciences!! And yes, innovation is our added value, what we are proud of: a thoroughly structured mentorship programme, led by the role models, and thus focusing in real life experiences, not only the success points but the entire (not always easygoing) path that the female professionals had to walk through in order to overcome any obstacles and become successful, reaching a balanced life, reflecting an internal harmony….The STAR Girls enthusiastic team, wants this very unusual trip – having its starting point in the high school, where all girls are experiencing a time period that expects them to make up their minds about studies and/or professional orientation, both quite interconnected indeed – to be for the young girls in all five European countries (Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Netherlands) the “helping hand”, the spotlight to enlighten the most blur aspects regarding a potential career in the clean energy sector, eliminating step by step all possible doubts or concerns a female student might face regarding following a career in energy related sciences in a -so far- male dominated sector!
No doubt of course that this effort will be a very well-coordinated and collaborative one…. let’s not forget, good results come once the right players come together…. So, here we are, setting the suitable frame, identifying and inviting the most competent players. To start with, the “task force” of “STAR Girls” was established to be well balanced mosaic of VET centers, research/technology centers focusing on RES and EE, but also industry representatives, equally necessary and, last but not least, network organizations to support the mainstreaming of new born policy interventions. During this multi aspect trip, we will closely cooperate with the most competent stakeholders, educators, policy makers, labour market and employment services. So, fingers crossed for a successful project tailored to girls and women!
