Brussels, 9 June 2026 – As part of the International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), several European-funded projects working across sectors including transport and mobility, smart energy systems, renewables, batteries, industry and manufacturing, and the built environment are joining forces for a social media campaign to celebrate the contribution of European women engineers and researchers.
Through a coordinated online campaign led by ICONS Innovation Strategies, THEUS and the participating projects will share video messages and quotes from women engineers and researchers involved in their initiatives. Contributors will answer a common question: “How would you encourage other women to take up a career in engineering?” The campaign will be promoted on 23 June 2026 using the hashtags #EUWomenEngineers and #INWED2026. The aim is to foster dialogue around representation, innovation, and equal opportunities across engineering and technology sectors.
By showcasing authentic stories and professional journeys, the initiative celebrates women already working in engineering and encourages younger generations to see themselves as future innovators who can shape a more sustainable and resilient Europe.
The participating projects believe that diversity is a key driver of creativity and technological progress, and that empowering women in engineering is essential to achieving Europe’s climate, industrial and societal ambitions.
Romina I. Lobera Duiz from the THEUS project emphasises: ‘Science and engineering advance most when diverse perspectives come together to tackle the same challenge. After more than 15 years in the electricity sector, I have witnessed this first-hand: mixed-gender teams not only perform better, but also approach problems in more innovative ways. Women contribute rigour, creativity, and fresh perspectives on complexity, and when these are part of the equation, the results speak for themselves. Diversity is not an added benefit—it is fundamental to good engineering’.
Despite growing awareness around diversity in STEM, women remain underrepresented in engineering professions worldwide. According to the latest Eurostat data, the proportion of female scientists and engineers varies widely among EU countries, with the highest shares registered in Latvia (50.9%), Denmark (48.8%), Estonia (47.9%), Spain (47.6%), Bulgaria (47.3%) and Ireland (47.3%). The lowest representation of female scientists and engineers was in Finland (30.7%), followed by Hungary (31.7%), Luxembourg (32.4%), Slovakia (33.6%) and Germany (34.6%). These figures highlight the continued importance of creating visible role models, inclusive workplaces and stronger pathways for young women entering technical careers.
