The EU Launched Groundbreaking Initiative for Women’s Empowerment in the Tech Industry
The Business and Technology University (BTU) proudly launched the EU-funded „Women Mentorship in Tech Programmes“ project, a transformative initiative and a significant step towards enhancing digital human capital in Georgia, particularly for girls and women. The event took place at the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel.
Featuring keynote speeches from esteemed figures such as His Excellency Pawel Herczynski, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia; Mr. Giorgi Amilakhvari, Minister of Education, Science, and Youth; Ms. Nino Tsilosani, Chair of the Gender Equality Council, Parliament of Georgia; and Ms. Žydrune Vitaite, Co-founder of Women Go Tech Lithuania, the launch event set a promising tone for the initiative’s objectives.
The EU-supported “Women Mentorship in Tech Programmes” project in Georgia aims to engage 1100 beneficiaries and 320 mentors over the three seasons, promoting regional diversity by selecting at least one-third of participants from regions outside the capital. Five-month-long mentorship sessions will be organised in five key tech directions, including cybersecurity, front-end development, graphic design, digital marketing, and UX/UI design.
The project’s launch event covered various topics related to the project’s objectives, including enhancing ICT proficiency, entrepreneurship skills, and career prospects for women in Georgia. The project emphasises both hard and soft skills development, empowering women to compete in local and international job markets. Through industry-driven courses, the initiative contributes to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in Quality Education, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Partnerships to achieve the Goal.
The EU-supported project plans to continue its efforts to educate, empower, and engage women in the tech sector. This includes expanding mentorship programs, developing new courses tailored to industry needs, and fostering partnerships with stakeholders to create more opportunities for women in technology.
„We are proud to support the ‘Women Mentorship in Tech Programmes’ project in Georgia as part of our commitment to promoting gender equality and digital inclusion. By investing in initiatives like this, we aim to bridge the skills gap in the ICT sector and empower women to thrive in the digital age, ultimately contributing to Georgia’s economic growth and stability.” – stated EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski.
„BTU gratefully acknowledges the support and resources extended by the EU. Our endeavour is deeply rooted in our dedication to fostering women in technology nationwide and our unwavering social objective to empower them. Through mentorship and skill development, we are equipping women with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age and contribute to Georgia’s economic development.” – said Prof. Nino Enukidze, Rector of Business and Technology University.
The event saw participation from various stakeholders, experts, and interested individuals committed to promoting gender equality and digital inclusion in Georgia. Attendees included representatives from government agencies, academia, civil society organisations, tech industry leaders, and potential beneficiaries and mentors of the „Women Mentorship in Tech Programmes“ project.
EU-funded „Women Mentorship in Tech Programmes“ project coordinated and implemented by Business and Technology University (BTU) aims to enhance digital human capital in Georgia, specifically focusing on girls and women, to advance gender equality and bridge the skills gap in the ICT sector. The initiative aligns with the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 and Gender Action Plan III, addressing digital inequalities among women and men. By addressing digital inequalities, the initiative not only benefits individual women but also contributes to the overall economic growth and stability of Georgia.