Introduction
Girls Go STEM is a European educational initiative that helps young people, particularly girls, develop digital, entrepreneurial and sustainability skills. Through free learning resources, student challenges and teacher engagement, it encourages greater participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The initiative is led by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), coordinated by EIT RawMaterials, and supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. It operates as an education programme rather than an independent philanthropic foundation.
History and Background
The programme began in 2020 under the Girls Go Circular name. Its original approach connected digital and entrepreneurial education with the circular economy, helping students explore how resources can remain in productive use through reuse, repair and recycling.
An official programme brochure describes its contribution to Action 13 of the European Commission’s Digital Education Action Plan 2021–2027, which encourages women’s participation in STEM. The learning approach also connects with the European digital competence, entrepreneurship and sustainability frameworks known as DigComp, EntreComp and GreenComp.
Now presented as Girls Go STEM, the initiative continues to combine sustainability education with technological learning and practical problem-solving.
Mission and Purpose
Girls Go STEM aims to reduce gender gaps in STEM by giving young women the knowledge, confidence and practical experience to explore technology and innovation. Its principal target group includes girls aged 14–19.
The programme connects digital education with environmental challenges, encouraging learners to consider how technology and entrepreneurship can contribute to a more sustainable economy.
Students practise skills through activities such as developing app prototypes, preparing business plans and delivering pitches. This approach links subject knowledge with communication, collaboration and the ability to turn an idea into a proposed solution.
Governance and Structure
Girls Go STEM’s published organisational structure centres on EIT leadership and EIT RawMaterials coordination, with European Commission support. Its delivery brings together educators, students and industry partners.
An EIT implementation report also identifies Junior Achievement Europe as supporting classroom delivery of the Girls Go Circular programme. This illustrates how the initiative combines European coordination with education partners that help reach schools and learners.
For prospective partners, the relevant structure is therefore programme coordination and institutional collaboration, rather than foundation ownership or a separate charitable trustee model.
Funding and Grants
Girls Go STEM identifies itself as European Union funded. Its principal support to learners takes the form of free education, resources and participation opportunities. The website also invites companies to sponsor learning modules and contribute industry expertise.
The reviewed sources do not establish a general research-grant or NGO funding scheme. Financial support is instead linked to specific programme activities. For example, the 2026 Student Challenge provides flights, accommodation, airport transfers and meals during the final event for eligible invited teams of up to four students and one teacher or mentor. Visa costs are excluded.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Circular Learning Space
The Circular Learning Space is the initiative’s online learning platform. Its student resources combine interactive online learning with practical activities and are available in 27 languages. Learners can work with peers while building digital, entrepreneurial and sustainability skills.
Student Challenge
The annual Student Challenge invites girls aged 14–19 to develop STEM solutions in teams. The 2026 edition focuses on space debris and sustainable use of Earth’s orbit. Selected teams are invited to present their ideas at the EIT Women and Girls in STEM Forum in Prague on 25–26 November 2026. Applications for this edition have closed.
Teacher Awards and Ambassadors
The 2026 Teacher Awards recognise creative classroom use of Girls Go STEM resources, with a focus on materials science. Applications close on 2 November 2026 at 13:00 CET. The winning team is offered participation in an Ambassadors Gathering in Brussels in spring 2027.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
In October 2025, EIT reported that Girls Go Circular had reached more than 65,000 girls across 35 countries and involved over 1,000 schools since its launch. These dated figures provide a documented measure of the programme’s educational reach.
The programme also received the 2025 EU Agency Network Diversity and Inclusion Award in the Outstanding External Initiative category, recognising its contribution to inclusion and gender equality.
Its funded activities illustrate several forms of support: multilingual learning resources, classroom implementation, student innovation challenges and teacher development. Participation figures demonstrate reach; they do not, by themselves, establish long-term changes in STEM employment or career progression.
Conclusion
Girls Go STEM provides an accessible route into digital learning, sustainability and innovation for young people across Europe. Its combination of classroom resources, practical challenges and educator engagement makes it relevant to schools and partners seeking to strengthen girls’ participation in STEM.
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