Exciting news from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEBA) at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” has recently been announced! The community has launched their Female Entrepreneurship Lab – a pioneering initiative at the university aimed at driving societal transformation towards a net-zero future. More precisely, it strives to foster an inclusive ecosystem for female students and alumni
from the master’s programs at Sofia University and beyond, focusing on the sustainable energy sector. The lab empowers them to embrace leadership roles and drive positive change in their communities.
The idea of this initiative was inspired by a group of female students enrolled in the master’s program “Energy Markets and Utilities” at FEBA, who expressed a desire to collaborate on a project within the renewable energy sector one year ago. This sparked a discussion on gender awareness within an industry historically dominated by males, igniting a debate on the importance of supporting talented females through training and mentorship opportunities. Recent research by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2023 revealed that women make up an average of 32% of the global renewable energy workforce, compared to nearly 46% in the overall economy, with significant variations across technologies. Notably, women constitute 40% of full-time positions in the solar PV industry, double the proportions in wind and oil/gas sectors (21% and 22% respectively). However, these roles are often low-paid and non-technical, with many women in administrative positions, and only 17% and below occupying senior management roles. With the growth of the energy transition, there is increasing attention on untapped labour potential, necessitating gender considerations. Therefore, the university academy makes the commitment to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and opportunities between successful female entrepreneurs and aspiring starting professionals that have the ambition to grow, while also encouraging more entrepreneurial initiatives in the energy sector with active female participation.
To accomplish this goal, the Female Entrepreneurship Lab envisages a series of empowerment workshops under the overarching theme “Talks on Female Leadership in the Energy Sector” featuring a spectrum of esteemed female professionals and influential leaders in the energy sector. The public lectures are held on site at FEBA, Sofia University. The first workshop was organized in the end of March, during which both young women and men in the audience were captivated by Boyana Achovski’s inspiring lecture on the leadership skills that contribute to a successful career in the energy sector.
University. She presented the topic “Empowering Tomorrow: Women Leading the Charge in Energy Transition”
on March 28th, 2024.
Further details regarding the planned public events of Female Entrepreneurship Lab for 2024 are provided in the table below:
| Month | Topic | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| March: Female leadership | Empowering Tomorrow: Women Leading the Chaxarge in Energy Transition | The session focuses on outlining essential leadership skills for women in the energy sector. Participants will explore strategies for visionary leadership, decision-making, and team building, emphasizing the role of leadership in driving positive change and innovation within the industry. |
| April: Building alliances | Empowering Around: Community Building Skills for Female Entrepreneurs | The workshop is dedicated to developing skills crucial for cultivating and sustaining communities within the energy entrepreneurship space. It will delve into community engagement, networking, and the importance of fostering connections with like- minded individuals. Participants will gain insights into establishment and management of energy community projects. |
| May: Innovativeness | Empowering Beyond: Innovation in Female-led Energy Ventures | Dedicated to exploring innovation in the context of female entrepreneurship in the energy sector, this workshop will delve deep into technological advancements, creative problem-solving, and business model innovation. The session aims to inspire and equip women entrepreneurs with the tools needed to drive innovation in the rapidly evolving energy landscape. |
| June: Resilience | Empowering Horizons: Navigating Business Challenges with Resilience | The lecture will focus on exploring practical strategies and empowering insights aimed at overcoming challenges, fostering growth, and thriving in the dynamic world of business. It will delve into the essential skills and mindset necessary to overcome obstacles and keep trying new business ideas despite initial failures. |