Digital and entrepreneurship skills for the circular economy - Girls Go Circular

A part of the Cross-KIC Skills for Future Initiative, the Girls Go Circular Project originates from the urgency to close the gender gap when it comes to the number of women active in the digital and entrepreneurship sector in the EU. 

The European Commission’s Women in Digital (WID) Scoreboard 2019 reports that there is a gender gap of 11% in digital skills. Women represent only 34% of STEM graduates (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and 17% of ICT specialists.

Through an online learning programme on the circular economy, the Girls Go Circular Project will contribute to closing the digital gender gap, particularly in those countries defined as modest and moderate innovators according to the European Innovation Scoreboard.

The online learning programme

In 2021, 12,000 Schoolgirls aged 14-18 will participate in an online training, encompassing individual work as well as group activities and leadership challenges. The students will not only use digital media as a platform to study, work and develop ideas, but also as a means to train their leadership skills. Themes like food, fashion and the use and disposal of technological appliances will be the cornerstones of this learning, empowering girls to become part of the solution to the current sustainability challenge. Compatibly with the limitations imposed by the current situation with COVID-19, face-to-face workshops will be organised to support the online learning with in-person activities.

How to participate in the project

Every school in the targeted countries (Southern and Eastern European countries, full list here) can participate in the learning programme, every student can access the platform and start learning!

The project targets primarily girls but it is open to every student.

Partners

The Girls Go Digital Project is an initiative of EIT RawMaterials and EIT Manufacturing, two Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), which are part of a larger network supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) to spur innovation and entrepreneurship to overcome some of Europe’s greatest challenges.

The project is executed in partnership with Brainshuttle – a think tank applying innovative methods and emerging technologies to design learning pathways, Ellen MacArthur Foundation – a global charity which aims to establish the circular economy on the agenda of decision makers across business, government, and academia, and Junior Achievement Europe – a leader in entrepreneurial education that connects students across the continent with industry mentors.