EAfA Member Spotlight: Girls Go STEM inspires the next generation of innovators

Please can you provide a short overview of your EAfA pledge?

Led by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and coordinated by EIT Raw Materials, Girls Go STEM empowers the next generation of women and equips them with essential digital and entrepreneurial skills.

The initiative facilitates collaboration among educators, learners, and industry stakeholders to advance educational reform and foster a more sustainable and inclusive society. These activities align with the objectives of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) particularly by improving the quality of apprenticeships, enhancing their image and contributing to the twin green and digital transition.

More specifically, we aim to equip young women aged 14-19 with digital, green and entrepreneurial skills by combining interactive online learning with collaboration between schools across Europe. Our work contributes to the Union of Skills' objectives to improve skills in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). It also aligns with the Digital Education Action Plan's goal of increasing women's participation in STEM education and careers.

As such, we aim to train 100,000 students, including VET learners and apprentices, across Europe, contributing to the European Union's long-term goal of engaging one million women and girls in STEM education by 2028.

How did you first hear about EAfA, and why did you decide to submit a pledge?

We first learned about EAfA through our collaboration with the European Commission's education and skills initiatives, like the Raw Materials Academy. Submitting a pledge was a natural progression, allowing us to align our mission with EU efforts to promote inclusive, high-quality education and training and apprenticeships. Our pledge reinforces our commitment to supporting gender balance in technical and digital fields.

What opportunities has Girls Go STEM taken to contribute to EAfA activities?

By sharing our experiences, we support EAfA initiatives that inspire young women to pursue further education, vocational training or apprenticeships in STEM fields. Our contribution includes attending webinars, organising teacher training sessions, community events, and showcasing best practices collected from our schools and partners. We also create opportunities for educators and students to exchange insights through the Student Ambassador Programme.

Most recently, we took part in the EAfA webinar, 'From gender stereotypes to opportunities: inclusive apprenticeships in STEM', where we demonstrated how introducing digital skills early on and the presence of inspiring role models can foster interest in STEM.

How have you promoted EAfA membership to your members/partners?

We work closely with a broad network of European schools, teachers and partners, including many VET institutions. Examples of our partners include LinkedIn, the ENHANCE Alliance of Universities, the Obama Foundation, and Intel.

Our outreach activities include the Circular Learning Space platform, organising annual events such as 'Women and Girls in STEM' sessions and launching our Ambassadors Programmeto attract fresh talent. The Teacher Ambassador Programme follows a 'train-the-trainer' approach, supporting ten European educators who wish to deepen their expertise in digital, sustainability, and entrepreneurial education. Ambassadors take part in mentoring, peer learning, workshops, and mobility schemes, while also supporting local initiatives within their communities.

These channels allow us to highlight the value of joining European initiatives like EAfA and inspire teachers and schools to take a more active role in preparing students for future apprenticeships and careers.

Additionally, we promote EAfA's goals and opportunities through our communication channels, teacher training sessions and events. By doing so, we encourage our partners to engage with EAfA and strengthen their own apprenticeship and inclusion strategies.

Since submitting a pledge, what activities has Girls Go STEM undertaken to achieve the EAfA objectives in your pledge?

We have introduced new online courses, mentoring opportunities, and classroom activities focused on key topics such as artificial intelligence, green innovation, and entrepreneurship. Our mentoring opportunities are available to students participating in the Girls Go STEM Student Ambassador Programme.

Examples include the development of online modules on AI, the circular economy, robotics, and entrepreneurship, as well as resources for teachers aligned with EU frameworks such as GreenComp, DigComp, and EntreComp. We also organise student mentoring sessions, workshops, and ambassador activities across Europe.

These initiatives are designed to equip teachers with the tools to integrate digital and sustainability modules into their lessons, while inspiring students to explore further training and apprenticeship pathways.

How does your pledge support broader EU or national goals related to gender equality in education and employment?

Our work supports the European Commission's target to train one million women and girls in STEM by 2028. By developing accessible resources in all EU languages and collaborating closely with schools, we are breaking down barriers that often prevent young women from pursuing technical education and careers in innovation-driven sectors. As such, these efforts contribute to the gender equality objectives set out under the Union of Skills and the EU's Gender Equality Strategy.

How do apprentices, through initiatives like AI-focused reverse mentoring, enhance competitiveness and overall value?

Although Girls Go STEM does not directly host apprentices, our courses and partnerships equip young women with the digital skills they need to prepare for future VET and apprenticeship programmes.

Introducing students to subjects such as artificial intelligence, data, and technology at an early stage demonstrates the practical application of these skills in the workplace and contributes to developing a highly qualified talent pipeline that enhances Europe's long-term competitiveness.

How is Girls Go STEM advancing sustainability under the EU's Clean Industrial Deal, and what role do apprentices play in this effort?

Sustainability is central to our learning. Through modules on circular economy, green entrepreneurship and clean technologies, Girls Go STEM helps students understand how sustainability is relevant to a variety of professions and industries.

By working closely with schools and partners, we encourage young people to recognise the value of green skills as a gateway to meaningful careers and apprenticeship opportunities, while contributing to the Clean Industrial Deal.

To learn more about their commitments, you can read their full pledge.

Are you inspired by EIT's pledge? Become a member by submitting a pledge on our EAfA Membership and Pledges webpage.

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