![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eba.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SS_eng-1024x590.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Ukrainian charitable organization Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation has conducted the first nationwide study, \u201cBarriers and challenges women face in transitioning to the solar energy sector.\u201d Its findings dispel persistent stereotypes about the industry and knowledge surrounding it, while highlighting that barriers for women still remain.<\/span><\/p>\n At a time when Ukraine is facing regular large-scale attacks on its energy system and actively rebuilding afterward, the study by Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation, supported by Mercy Corps, offers a new perspective on the role of women in solar energy. A key finding: the stereotype that solar energy is an exclusively \u201cmale\u201d field is losing relevance \u2014 only 6% of surveyed women agreed with this statement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, current statistics tell a different story: women account for only about 30% of the workforce in the solar energy sector, with even fewer in leadership roles. The barriers revealed by the study indicate that the problem is not women\u2019s bias against the field, but rather structural limitations and informational gaps.<\/span><\/p>\n Why is this important for Ukraine today?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ukraine is facing a labor shortage due to the war and its consequences \u2014 including in renewable energy. At the same time, the EU and other partners are investing billions in the country\u2019s \u201cgreen\u201d recovery. Women\u2019s involvement in this transformation is not only a matter of inclusion, but also of economic resilience and energy security.<\/span><\/p>\n Survey fndings: women with high professional potential<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most participants were women of established professional age (25\u201350+ years) with higher or specialized education. More than half, however, are currently in job search or temporary unemployment.<\/span><\/p>\n Knowledge is low, interest is high<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Awareness of solar energy among respondents remains critically low: 68% rated their knowledge at 0\u20133 out of 10, and 89% had no awareness of career or education opportunities in the sector.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n At the same time, 46% said they would consider transitioning into solar energy if free training were available. This demonstrates openness to new opportunities, provided accessible education and clear career prospects.<\/span><\/p>\n Key barriers: lack of knowledge, support, and stability<\/strong><\/p>\n The main obstacle cited was lack of knowledge about the sector (19%) and the shortage of publicly available information (14%).<\/p>\n Additional challenges include:<\/p>\n Stereotypes are not the main barrier<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite the widespread perception of energy as a \u201cmale\u201d industry, only 6% of participants considered gender bias to be a barrier to starting or advancing their career. This suggests that gender itself is not a decisive factor, although stereotypes still persist socially.<\/p>\n Education and support are the keys to engaging women<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Respondents are open to retraining, but primarily expect free learning opportunities. The greatest interest lies in short-term practical programs with mentorship and community-building elements.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In terms of career focus, women most often consider management and support roles \u2014 project management, administration, communications, and logistics. Interest in technical professions is lower, which underlines the need to adapt training programs for candidates without prior technical background.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> A systemic approach to industry growth<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The study emphasizes that engaging women in solar energy requires a comprehensive strategy that combines accessible training, stronger visibility of the sector in public discourse, socio-economic stability, and institutional reforms at both the policy and employer level.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Recommendations to overcome barriers<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The report calls for the development of training programs, support networks, mentoring initiatives, and the promotion of success stories of women in solar energy.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n This will help attract more female professionals into a sector that is critical for Ukraine\u2019s energy security.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The full report is available at: <\/span><\/span>Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n * * *<\/p>\n<\/div>\n About Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation provides renewable solar energy solutions for schools, hospitals, and water utilities affected by russian aggression in Ukraine, through initiatives such as \u201c100 Solar Schools,\u201d \u201c50 Solar Hospitals,\u201d and \u201cSolar Water Utilities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The foundation installs hybrid solar power plants with storage systems for social and critical infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted access to education and healthcare services even during blackouts, while promoting positive change toward a sustainable future in Ukrainian communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The foundation also seeks to foster a culture of conscious resource consumption. It runs the educational course \u201cSustainable Development and Green Energy\u201d for children, enhancing knowledge about sustainability, energy sources, and eco-friendly habits. Nearly 2,000 children have already completed the program.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The foundation has been recognized with multiple awards, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n It is also a member of Solar Power Europe and the UN Global Compact Energy Initiative, and in 2024 implemented the \u201cRenewable Energy in Ukraine\u201d project as part of a consortium of environmental organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Media Contact<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Olena Berehova<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Head of PR & Communications<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n o.berehova@energyactua.com<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n 050 412 47 50<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Website,<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span> Linkedin<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Youtube<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Ukrainian charitable organization Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation has conducted the first nationwide study, \u201cBarriers and challenges women face in transitioning to the solar energy sector.\u201d Its findings dispel persistent stereotypes about the industry and knowledge surrounding it, while highlighting that barriers for women still remain. At a time when Ukraine is facing regular […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4489,"featured_media":667531,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[24,23],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eba.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Energy_5_02092025.png\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eba.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Energy_6_02092025.png\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eba.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Energy_7_02092025.png\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eba.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Energy_8_02092025.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n