By implementing the GirlsGoGreen project, we aimed to empower secondary school girls with the skills and knowledge needed for future green jobs, while addressing the gender gap in STEM education. The project sought to enhance girls' interest in STEM disciplines by integrating sustainability and circular economy concepts into education through Challenge-Based Learning (CBL). Our primary goal was to equip 60 secondary school girls with practical green and digital skills, making them more competitive in the evolving labor market. We also aimed to train 10 STEM teachers in innovative pedagogical methods, enabling them to inspire and mentor more students. Additionally, we worked to develop educational resources, including a digital toolkit, an open-source teacher training course, and career guidance materials, ensuring long-term impact. Beyond education, we strived to build a European network connecting schools, local communities, and businesses, fostering a collaborative approach to sustainability education. Through pilot programs and multiplier events, we promoted policy recommendations for integrating green skills into curricula, creating a lasting framework for empowering girls in STEM and sustainability careers.
The project consortium applied for this project because it aligns with our commitment to empowering secondary school girls with essential green skills and fostering their interest in STEM education. The GirlsGoGreen initiative directly addresses the gender disparity in STEM and the growing need for sustainability-related careers. The transition to a circular economy will create thousands of new jobs in the EU, yet women remain underrepresented in the STEM sector. This project provided an opportunity to bridge that gap by implementing Challenge-Based Learning strategies and equipping teachers with innovative pedagogical tools. Through this initiative, we tackled key challenges as low female engagement in STEM, the lack of structured green career guidance in secondary education, and the need for interdisciplinary, sustainability-focused learning. By developing digital toolkits, teacher training courses, and career guidance resources, we ensured that girls were not only inspired to explore STEM but also prepared for the evolving green job market. Our collaboration with European partners strengthened the project's impact, fostering an inclusive and innovative approach to education and career development.