ABOUT GWNET
what we do
Our mission
GWNET empowers women in energy through interdisciplinary networking, advocacy, training, and mentoring. GWNET seeks to address the current gender imbalances in the energy sector and to promote gender-sensitive action around the energy transition in all parts of the world.
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Activities
GWNET actively supports women working in the energy transition through various initiatives designed to empower, connect, and develop female professionals in the sector.
Networking
GWNET facilitates connections among women working in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency to advance the energy transition. We also encourage networking among GWNET members through dedicated events, and running a dynamic community of women energy experts.
OUR NETWORK OF FEMALE ENERGY EXPERTS
GWNET’s vibrant community connects and empowers women working in sustainable energy around the world, with the aim to encourage greater visibility, networking opportunities and professional connections between women. Gain visibility by joining our network and setting up your free profile today!
Membership is open to any individual or organisation that aligns with GWNET’s mission, subject to application and approval by the Governing Board.
Advocacy
GWNET generates and disseminates information on the role of women in the energy transition with the goal of creating awareness, strengthening networks and ultimately influencing decision-making.
In particular, the 2020 GWNET study “Women for Sustainable Energy – Strategies to Foster Women’s Talent for Transformational Change” contains an overview of women’s current participation in the sustainable energy workforce in developed and emerging economies, the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, industry interviews, good practice examples and recommendations for a more gender-diverse sector.
The study aims to shine a light on some of the most pressing obstacles to the attraction, retention, and advancement of women in the corporate sector, ultimately spurring positive action towards women’s equal inclusion in the sustainable energy sector.
Additionally, GWNET has launched the campaign “Energy Transition Role Models: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Entrepreneurs,” which showcases portraits of remarkable women entrepreneurs in sustainable energy who are working across different disciplines and countries, with the goal to give female leadership visibility and thereby inspire and encourage others – especially young female students and graduates – to follow suit.
GWNET also organises webinars, conferences, seminars, and workshops which foster discussions and promote gender-sensitive action around the energy transition.
Mentoring
GWNET leads the development of several women mentoring programmes designed to accelerate the careers of women in the energy sector, support their pathway to leadership positions and foster a global network of mentorship, knowledge-sharing and empowerment
GWNET’s current programmes include:
- Women in Wind Global Leadership Program 2024
- Women in Energy Storage Mentoring Program 2024
- Empowering Central Asian Women in Renewable Energy Mentoring Programme 2024
Learn more about our programmes, our inspiring mentorship participants, and how you can get involved here.
Training
GWNET facilitates individual career coaching by specialised coaches with sector-specific backgrounds in sustainable energy. Training courses on selected topics are also available. If interested, kindly contact the International Secretariat for more information.
WHO WE ARE
Governance
GWNET is governed by statutes. The organs of GWNET include the General Assembly (link here to all members), the Governing Board and the International Secretariat.
International Secretariat
Governing Board
Rabia Ferroukhi
Barbara Fischer-Aupperle
Sandra Retzer
Victoria Healey
Govern
Statutes
To guide its global activities, GWNET has created an Advisory Council.
GWNET is governed by statutes. As noted in the statutes, the organs of GWNET include:
- The General Assembly
- The Governing Board
- The International Secretariat
FAQ
Frequently
asked questions
Here, you’ll find answers to common questions about our work and how we support women in the energy sector.
How Can I Get Involved in GWNET as an Individual?
If you’re passionate about advancing gender equality in the energy transition, the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) offers several ways to get involved as an individual. Here are the primary ways you can participate and contribute to the movement.
1. Join as an Individual Member
By becoming a GWNET individual member, you can join the vibrant Women Energy Experts community. As a member, you will receive regular Members’ Digest newsletters, access to exclusive webinars, and invitations to networking sessions with like-minded professionals from around the world.
Benefits of Membership:
- Stay informed with the latest insights and developments in the energy sector.
- Expand your professional network.
- Participate in exclusive learning and engagement opportunities.
2. Become a GWNET Mentor
Are you an experienced energy professional eager to support the next generation of women leaders? GWNET is always seeking passionate mentors for its various mentoring programmes. As a mentor, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping the future of women in the energy transition, while gaining valuable personal and professional benefits.
Benefits of Becoming a Mentor:
- Insights into new perspectives and generational challenges.
- The opportunity to reflect on and share your own career journey.
- Helping young women develop their talents and career paths.
- Enhancing your reputation as a leader in the energy field.
Mentorship involves around 1 to 1.5 hours of engagement per month, with optional participation in knowledge-transfer webinars. If this sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, simply fill out our Mentor Datasheet to get started.
3. Apply to Be a Mentee
Women working in energy are encouraged to apply for one of GWNET’s mentoring programmes as a mentee. This is an excellent opportunity to receive guidance and support from seasoned professionals, boosting both your personal and professional development.
Benefits of Becoming a Mentee:
- Learn from experienced professionals in the energy sector.
- Strengthen your skills and overcome career challenges.
- Set concrete career goals and take steps toward achieving them.
- Gain valuable insights into strategic thinking and innovation.
Stay updated on open calls for applications by following us on our website and social media.
How Can My Organisation Get Involved with GWNET?
Does your organisation want to be a part of the global movement towards gender equality in the energy transition? GWNET collaborates with companies, institutions, and other organisations to drive change and empower women in the energy sector. Here’s how your organisation can get involved.
1. Partner with GWNET
GWNET is always open to forming partnerships with organisations that share a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the energy transition. Partnerships can involve sponsoring events, co-hosting webinars, supporting research initiatives, or collaborating on capacity-building programmes.
Benefits of Partnering:
- Enhance your organisation’s visibility in the global energy transition conversation.
- Demonstrate leadership in promoting gender equality.
- Connect with other key stakeholders across the energy sector.
2. Support GWNET’s Mentoring Programmes
Your organisation can support GWNET’s mentoring programmes by providing financial support or offering expertise. These programmes are designed to empower women professionals and ensure the next generation of leaders in the energy sector are diverse, skilled, and confident.
Benefits of Supporting Mentorship:
- Showcase your organisation’s commitment to fostering gender diversity.
- Help develop and support emerging female talent in the energy field.
- Build a more inclusive energy sector for future generations.
3. Sponsor GWNET Events and Initiatives
GWNET organises events, webinars, and research projects that your organisation can sponsor or co-host. Sponsorship provides an opportunity for your organisation to demonstrate its dedication to gender equality while reaching a global audience.
Benefits of Sponsorship:
- Increase your organisation’s brand visibility.
- Align your brand with thought leadership in gender equality and energy.
- Engage directly with a global community of professionals, leaders, and innovators.
4. Join GWNET as an Institutional Member
For institutions looking to engage more deeply, GWNET offers institutional membership. Institutional members benefit from exclusive networking opportunities, access to industry insights, and visibility within the global energy community.
Benefits of Institutional Membership:
- Connect with other organisations committed to gender equality.
- Gain access to exclusive GWNET reports and industry resources.
- Raise your organisation’s profile in the global energy space.
By getting involved with GWNET, your organisation can play a vital role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable energy future.
What is the difference between Mentors, Mentees, and Members?
The Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) offers multiple ways for individuals to engage with our activities and mission.
One of the best ways to get involved in GWNET is by registering as a member of our network. Membership is free of cost and open to any energy professional who identifies as a woman.
Members will receive the monthly Members’ Digest and can join our private LinkedIn group, where we share valuable resource and exclusive opportunities for career growth relevant for energy professionals (i.e. job vacancies, public speaking opportunities, mentoring / training programmes, invitations for research proposals, events). By becoming a member, you also create a virtual profile for yourself on the GWNET website’s Women Energy Experts community. This gives your professional profile more visibility, making it easier for others to connect with you or if they want to share an interesting opportunity ( i.e. invitation to speak at an event, collaborate on a project). In summary, by becoming a GWNET member, you can greatly expand your professional network and accelerate your career in energy.
Members are also very welcome to register as a GWNET mentor or apply to participate in one of our GWNET mentorship programmes as a mentee. However, it is important to note that you can be a GWNET mentee or member, but not necessarily a member at the same time.
Mentors
GWNET mentors are experienced energy professionals who volunteer their time to guide and support emerging women leaders in the sector. Mentors spend around 1 to 1.5 hours per month with their mentees and can participate in knowledge-transfer webinars, offering personal insights while gaining new perspectives from the next generation of professionals.
Mentees
GWNET mentees are women working in the energy sector who apply to participate in one of GWNET’s mentoring programmes. As a mentee, you will work closely with a seasoned professional to develop your skills, overcome challenges, and set clear career goals. Being a mentee is an excellent way to boost your career growth through personalised guidance and support, expanding your professional network and participating in skills-based workshops and webinars.
What is GWNET’s Mission?
The Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) is dedicated to advancing the global energy transition by empowering women in the energy sector. Through interdisciplinary networking, advocacy, training, and mentoring, GWNET seeks to address gender imbalances in the energy industry and promote gender-sensitive actions that drive the energy transition worldwide.
Why Gender Equality in Energy Matters
The energy sector remains overwhelmingly male-dominated, especially at leadership and decision-making levels. Women are often under-represented on company boards, in senior management positions, and within political roles related to energy. This lack of gender diversity limits opportunities for women to engage and influence crucial decisions in shaping the future of energy.
In contrast, gender equality has proven to be a key driver of sustainability. Diverse perspectives foster innovation, enhance problem-solving, and bring fresh ideas to technology deployment and societal development. Moreover, companies with more inclusive work environments are better able to attract and retain top talent.
GWNET’s Role in Empowering Women
Founded in 2017 by women professionals working in sustainable energy, GWNET is an international non-profit organisation that aims to empower women across all career levels and sectors. By facilitating networking opportunities and providing mentoring and training, GWNET helps women overcome the barriers they face and strengthens their presence in the energy sector.
Our Vision
GWNET’s vision is for a more inclusive and diverse energy sector where women’s voices and expertise are integral to driving the global energy transition. By promoting gender-sensitive action, GWNET ensures that the shift to renewable energy and sustainable practices benefits all parts of society equally.
In summary, GWNET not only advocates for gender equality in energy but also provides the tools and platforms necessary for women to thrive and actively shape the energy transition.
How can I sign up to a GWNET mentoring programme?
GWNET has developed a course titled ‘Introduction to Mentoring’. It’s purpose is to guide new mentors as they embark on their journey with GWNET, or to provide a refresher to mentors who already have experience.It consists of brief video lectures and case studies that provide both general mentoring principles and specific, concrete tips on issues such as goal setting, communications, and dealing with difficult situations. We hope that it will make our mentors’ experiences in our programmes even more fulfilling and enjoyable!
The course should take around 1,5 hours to complete. Once you have access to our course platform, you may start it at any time and complete it at your own pace.
How to sign up
To access the course, email info@globalwomennet.org with the subject line “Mentor Course”. In this email, you should ask to gain access to our online ‘Introduction to Mentoring’ course and also confirm which of your email addresses you would like to use to register for our online course platform. This way, we can send an invitation the relevant email address to create an account on the online course platform.
Options for Everyone
We offer individual, corporate and Women’s Networks Memberships.
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Benefits of
becoming a member
Empowerment: Share and receive support for your work and ambitions in sustainable energy.
Visibility: Complete your profile and gain visibility around your work and achievements.
Connectivity: Network with other women in sustainable energy, from junior to top management
WHO WE ARE WORKING WITH
Our Partners
GWNET cooperates with regional / national women in energy networks from all over the world. If your network wants to join this group, please contact us via email.
REGIONAL / NATIONAL PARTNER NETWORKS
STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND CORPORATE MEMBERS
WHERE WE COME FROM
Our history
It is a well-known fact that the energy sector continues to be male-dominated. The absence of gender equality can be observed in all parts of the world.
Gender inequality is even more prevalent at decision- making levels. Women are generally under-represented on company boards and across senior management positions, as well as in politics. This reality of under- representation is even more accentuated in energy- related fields. As a result, the few women that manage to secure top positions are often less connected with their peers than their male colleagues.
It is a well-known fact that the energy sector continues to be male-dominated. The absence of gender equality can be observed in all parts of the world.
Gender inequality is even more prevalent at decision- making levels. Women are generally under-represented on company boards and across senior management positions, as well as in politics. This reality of under- representation is even more accentuated in energy- related fields. As a result, the few women that manage to secure top positions are often less connected with their peers than their male colleagues.