UNIDO through its Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC) and the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) have initiated collaboration leading to the establishment of a women and youth empowerment network under the global GN-SEC platform, as well as the implementation of highly visible south-south and triangular activities.
The GN-SEC is a UNIDO-coordinated platform comprising eight operational centres across the Arab, African, Asia-Pacific, and Latin American regions, with plans to expand into Central Africa and Central Asia. GN-SEC serves 38 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and 32 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange to advance sustainable energy solutions. Since the completion of the project, UNIDO and GWNET continue to work together to advance women and youth empowerment through the GN-SEC.
A dedicated mentoring programme for gender and youth focal points of the Sustainable Energy Centres was developed and implemented, thereby strengthening the centres activities on gender and youth empowerment as well as providing suggestions how centres can advise country members in promoting gender and youth. The programme consisted of bilateral mentorship for 20 mentees.
The course consisted of the following modules:
Module 1: Women in Sustainable Energy
Module 2: Empowering Youth
Module 3: How to Integrate Gender and Youth Aspects into Energy Policy
Module 4: How to Effectively Mainstream Gender and Youth Issues in Projects and Programmes
Module 5: Promoting Male Allyship & Gender- and Youth-Responsive Advocacy
To further support the centres’ work, the Guide on Good Practices for Gender Mainstreaming & Youth Engagement in Regional Sustainable Energy Centres was developed outlining best practices for gender mainstreaming and youth engagement in energy projects. This guide includes links to key studies and case studies, as well as Terms of Reference for women and youth goodwill ambassadors, ensuring local champions for gender and youth inclusion within the GN-SEC framework.
In order to amplify their voices and widen their networks, a dedicated empowerment session for women and youth was hosted at the International Vienna Energy & Climate Forum 2023. A funding proposal was also developed and pitched to potential donors to sustain and expand these activities.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote, dynamize and accelerate industrial development. UNIDO’s work is concentrated on three focus areas: ending hunger by helping businesses from farm to fork; stopping climate breakdown by using renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting sustainable supply chains so that developing country producers get a fair deal and scarce resources are preserved.
Visit the UNIDO website to learn more.
