Breakout Session 1

– Barriers: – Summary of major identified barriers

– Quotes or representative statements

Breakout session 1 was completed successfully. The participants of both workshops discussed the barriers and difficulties that women face in their workplace and mainly in STEM and green tech sectors. The discussions were extensive and constructive. All individuals, both men and women, actively participated and expressed their opinions. There were a very positive atmosphere and a lively mood for discussion. The interest was great, which is also evident from the answers collected at the end. 

Initially, the participants mentioned many difficulties and barriers that women in Bulgaria encounter today. All these barriers were recorded and organized in detail. One of the main barriers, which many participants confirmed, is that in today’s Bulgaria there is a lack of a legal framework that protects the position of women in the labor market and promotes their inclusion into the technological sector. 

In addition, some participants emphasized that the lack of sanctions and penalties is an equally important issue, as in many cases there are laws that support women but are often not implemented by employers and companies. In addition, all participants pointed out that a very big thorn not only for women in the working environment but also in everyday life in general is the stereotypes that dominate society and the Bulgarian mentality. In Bulgaria, the belief that men are more capable than women still prevail, especially in more demanding professions such as those in the technological sector. Also, many believe that women cannot withstand the pressure and stress in a demanding work environment and there are quite a few who believe that they are better suited to specific categories of professions, which certainly do not include the engineering and technology sectors. 

Finally, stereotypes have also led many employers to believe that when women become pregnant and have a family, they stop being productive, lose interest in their work and are only an expense for the company or organization they work for. And this is another barrier that women in Bulgaria have to face. During their pregnancy, they are even at risk of being fired, as they become undesirable for most employers. At the same time, a problem that eceryone pointed out is that of family responsibilities. Women who also have the role of mother are burdened with multiple tasks. Often women take full responsibility for their children and the household and at the same time are called upon to prove their value in the workplace on a daily basis, in order to overturn the general belief that working mothers are less productive. Another very important barrier that was also mentioned and discussed extensively is the lack of female role models. The technology sector is predominantly male-dominated. The percentage of women working in STEM or green tech is small and the percentage of those holding positions of power is even smaller. This lack of successful female role models combined with the constant presence of men, discourages women and especially young girls from starting their careers in these sectors. Regarding the education sector, some participants emphasized that the problem lies mainly in the lack of scholarship programs for women and girls who are taking their first steps. 

Among other things, they argued that the technological environment is highly competitive and the lack of scholarships for additional studies and strengthening women’s knowledge does not motivate them to try. At the same time, several participants noted that the available VET programs are very few and newly emerging, resulting in limited access for women. Another barrier that some stakeholders focused on is that of recruitment opportunities. During the discussion, several incidents were reported by women who, while looking for a job, did not apply for certain positions, as the advertisement itself discouraged them. 

There are also many incidents where, according to the participants, employers discriminate in favor of men during recruitment. However, the difficulties do not stop there. Participants also mentioned the issue of promotion. In this case, many employers discriminate in favor of men. Management positions and positions of responsibility are mainly held by men, which is why there is a lack of female role models in the technology sector. In addition, the lack of mentoring for women is a very important factor, as several stakeholders emphasized. In today’s Bulgaria, women do not have the opportunity to come into contact with experts and experienced professionals, to discuss and seek advice and mentoring in order to overcome the obstacles they encounter. A final but equally important issue that women often face is the workplace culture. The participants, among other things, emphasized that in addition to bad behavior from employers, bad behavior from colleagues is also often observed. The belittling and indifference that women often experience in their workplace affects them to a great extent and sometimes even pushes them to change their work environment. 

Breakout Session 2 – Opportunities and Solutions:

– Proposed solutions

– Stakeholder perspectives 

– Prioritized recommendations 

Breakout session 2 followed the completion of Breakout session 1. During this session, the opportunities that exist for women in Bulgaria, the good practices that are followed, as well as proposals and recommendations for improving the situation in the working environment were discussed. The discussions were again extensive and substantive. There were a very positive atmosphere, intense participation and fruitful dialogue that led to mature conclusions and targeted recommendations for the future. Initially, all participants emphasized the opportunities that come from European programs. In recent years, in Bulgaria, Universities, companies and research and educational centers have been participating in more and more European actions. European programs such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe and ISEF+ are actions that support education, research, green growth, as well as gender equality. More specifically, through the activities included in these projects, women are given the opportunity to train in various fields, to develop their knowledge, to acquire new skills, to develop their social network as they collaborate with many people from all over Europe and to enter the field of STEM and green tech. 

Another very important opportunity that all participants mentioned comes from a state initiative. Many participants mentioned national strategies for gender equality. These are long-term actions aimed at promoting equal participation of men and women in the labor market and education. Some of the measures included are the reduction of the income gap between men and women and the strengthening of women’s representation and decision-making processes. 

An interesting action recorded by some stakeholders is the “For Women in Science” program by the global L’Oréal-UNESCO. This program is in effect in many countries, including Bulgaria. The goal of the program is to provide an annual grant to young female scientists under 35 years of age to support their research in the natural sciences and to promote the participation of women in science. Another opportunity discussed is the action of the Bulgarian Center for Women in Technology. This organization promotes women’s participation in the digital and innovation sectors through mentoring programs, networking events, entrepreneurship competitions and collaboration with the technology industry. 

Another opportunity identified is the rapidly growing startup ecosystem in Sofia. In recent years, an increasing number of companies have been launched and have begun operating in the technology sector in Bulgaria, particularly in the capital, Sofia. This dynamic environment creates new opportunities for female entrepreneurs who wish to become active in this field. Through this expanding network, women can gain access to funding, mentorship, and professional guidance to help them develop their ideas and achieve their goals. 

Finally, some participants highlighted another important opportunity related to Bulgaria’s strong agricultural sector and the growing investments in renewable energy. In recent years, the development of the agricultural sector, combined with the expansion of renewable energy projects, has created new prospects for employment and professional development. These sectors are increasingly linked with sustainability and environmental innovation, which opens additional pathways for women to become involved. 

In line with these opportunities identified, participants pointed out several recommendations in order to further strengthen the position of women in the fields of STEM and green tech, either by expanding existing measures or by introducing new ones. So, one particularly useful proposal was the creation of a national mentoring program that would connect experienced professionals in the technological and green sectors with young women who are considering a career in these fields. By establishing an organized and coordinated network operating across the country, women from different regions would have the opportunity to receive guidance, advice and practical knowledge from experienced professionals. Such a program would help young women navigate the early stages of their careers and build confidence. 

At the same time, participants suggested the development of national training programs focused on green skills, including areas such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy technologies and environmental management. Given Bulgaria’s strong agricultural sector and the growing importance of the green transition, these programs could provide women with valuable training opportunities and help them gain access to emerging jobs in environmentally sustainable industries. 

Another important recommendation was the development of national programs to support women’s entrepreneurship. Although the startup ecosystem in Bulgaria has grown rapidly in recent years, women are still underrepresented in founding and leadership positions. National initiatives could therefore provide targeted training, mentoring, financial support and networking opportunities for women interested in launching their own businesses. These programs could also provide funding to support female entrepreneurs and increase women’s participation in the country’s startup ecosystem. 

Furthermore, participants proposed expanding the activities of the Bulgarian Centre for Women in Technology through broader partnerships across the country. The organization already promotes women’s participation in the technology sector through training programs, mentoring initiatives and networking events. However, its impact could be significantly enhanced through partnerships with more companies, universities, research institutions and regional organizations throughout Bulgaria. By expanding both its network and its activities beyond major urban centers such as Sofia, the initiative could evolve into a large-scale national platform supporting women at different stages of their professional development. 

Moreover, there is considerable potential for national partnerships between industry, educational institutions and vocational training providers in order to develop clearer pathways into STEM and green technology sectors. Through coordinated programs offering practical training, internships and professional placements, these collaborations could support women’s entry into technical careers and help reduce existing gender inequalities in these sectors. Finally, the implementation of EU-funded projects also offers significant benefits, as these initiatives often include activities that promote collaboration, knowledge exchange and networking among women working in different fields. 

In conclusion, despite the progress that has already been made through national initiatives and European projects, participants emphasized that there is still considerable room for improvement. Continued efforts, stronger cooperation between stakeholders and the development of long-term strategies will be essential in order to create more inclusive opportunities and ensure greater participation of women in technology and green sectors in Bulgaria.

Breakout Session 3 – Policy Solutions & Recommendations:

– Summary of major proposed recommendations

The Breakout Session 3 followed the conclusion of Breakout Session 2. The main topic of discussion this time was the solutions and recommendations of the participants for strengthening the position of women in STEM and green tech sectors. Through lively dialogues, participants proposed very interesting and targeted solutions that, if implemented, will facilitate the everyday life of women and consolidate their position in the working environment. 

Initially, a very targeted solution proposed by a group was the one of the mandatory quantification of men and women. By mandatory hiring a certain number of women, they will be able to enter the technology sector that has traditionally been male-dominated and the stereotypes that prevail until today will be gradually eliminated. In addition, the visibility of women will increase and this will inspire more girls to engage in this sector. The implementation of this measure in combination with the change in the recruitment processes, as mentioned by some stakeholders, will lead to a faster reduction in the bias in the labor market. 

Furthermore, many participants mentioned changes in wages as an important recommendation. Specifically, they argued that the difference between the earnings of men and women should be reduced and they emphasized that wages should be the result of the experience and qualifications of each employee and no other factors. In this way, substantial equality is achieved and the feeling of injustice felt by women is reduced. Another solution that was unanimously proposed by everyone is that of family support. All participants believed that employers should support their female employees and their families by granting not only leaves but also financial support. In this way, they support the position of the working mother and the institution of the family. Women also have the opportunity to continue their careers without obstacles and breaks. 

Some participants also emphasized the need for change in the area of  education. In particular, they focused on increasing scholarships intended for women and young girls in order to gain wider access to education, cultivate new skills and gain a competitive advantage. Many participants even agreed that only if women increase their qualifications and acquire more knowledge and expertise, they will be able to gain a worthy job in the technological sector. At the same time, several participants also emphasized the need for modernization of educational materials. In today’s era when technology is evolving at a rapid pace and the green transition is a necessity and not a choice as they specifically stated, educational materials must be improved, deepened and specialized in order to offer substantial assistance to women. 

In addition, some stakeholders suggested the promotion of female role models as a useful and helpful recommendation. In this way, women who want to pursue a career in the STEM and green tech sectors will be encouraged and stereotypes will be overturned. In addition, the participants emphasized that governments should focus on and invest in information campaigns in order to awaken the public and strengthen the participation of women in the technology sector. Another recommendation made is to strengthen partnerships between universities and businesses. Such partnerships not only strengthen education with the labor market but also bring women directly into contact with businesses and give them the opportunity to be absorbed in positions that suit them. 

At the same time, participants also proposed the creation of communities for women. More specifically, they proposed the creation of a network that will guide and support women at all stages of their careers. Then, they also underlined the need for the government to strengthen female entrepreneurship. By strengthening and promoting women to start their own business activities, the working environment will radically change, new opportunities will be created and inequalities will be definitively reduced. 

Moreover, a solution that everyone approved is that of work-life balance. The overwhelming majority of participants noted, among other things, that working conditions must change, not only to improve women’s everyday lives but also to keep up with the needs of the modern era. They emphasized that nowadays it is necessary to implement flexible working hours in businesses and this will greatly facilitate employees, and especially women, to balance work and personal life obligations. Finally, some participants0 added that a change in work culture is equally necessary. It is certainly not a solution that can be applied from one day to the next. However, it is a solution that, when achieved, will change the climate prevailing in the work environment towards women, will eliminate stereotypes and will lead to greater productivity.