1. Workshop Overview
• Country: Sweden
• Date:30th March 2026
• Venue: Stockholm, Sweden
• Organising Partner: Nordic Diaspora Forum
• Number of participants:25
• Stakeholder groups represented: The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from public institutions, vocational education and training (VET) providers, universities, private sector companies in green industries, civil society organisations, and NGO migrant-led organisations). This ensured a balanced discussion across policy, practice, and lived experience.
2. Summary of Workshop Agenda
The workshop was structured to encourage both reflection and co-creation. It began with an introductory session outlining the objectives of the Women4GreenEU project and the importance of increasing women’s participation in the green technology sector within Sweden and across Europe. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
This was followed by two main breakout sessions. The first session focused on identifying barriers that limit women’s access to and progression within green tech. Participants were divided into small groups and guided through structured discussions exploring structural, educational, cultural, and workplace challenges.
The second breakout session shifted towards opportunities and solutions. Participants identified existing good practices, explored potential partnerships, and proposed practical actions that could support women, particularly those from underrepresented groups such as migrant women. The workshop concluded with a plenary discussion where key findings were shared, followed by a short feedback session to capture participant reflections.
3. Key Insights from Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session 1
– Barriers: – Summary of major identified barriers
– Quotes or representative statements
Participants highlighted that while Sweden has strong policies on gender equality and sustainability, there are still significant barriers that limit women’s participation in green tech. One of the most prominent challenges identified was the lack of access to professional networks, which often play a key role in recruitment within the sector. This particularly affects migrant women and those entering the field without prior connections.
Another major barrier is the continued gender imbalance in technical and engineering fields, which results in fewer role models and reduced visibility of women in green careers. This starts early in education and continues throughout career progression.
Participants also emphasised language and integration barriers, especially for migrant women. Even when qualifications exist, limited access to technical Swedish and difficulties in having foreign credentials recognised can prevent entry into the labour market. Also, training pathways were not always perceived as accessible or inclusive, particularly for women balancing family responsibilities or those living outside major urban centres.
Quotes or representative statements:
● “The opportunities are there, but not everyone can reach them.”
● “If you don’t have the right network, it’s very hard to enter the green tech space.”
● “Many migrant women are highly skilled, but the system doesn’t recognise or connect their skills to the market.”
● “We talk about equality, but we don’t always design systems for everyone.”
Breakout Session 2
– Opportunities and Solutions:
Proposed solutions:
Participants identified several practical and scalable solutions. A key proposal was to develop integrated training pathways that combine language learning, technical skills, and direct links to employment. This was seen as especially important for migrant women.
There was also strong support for expanding short, flexible VET programmes tailored to green sectors, making it easier for women to reskill or transition into new careers. Participants emphasised the importance of mentorship and role model visibility, suggesting that more structured programmes should be developed to connect women already working in green tech with those interested in entering the field.
Stakeholder perspectives:
● Public sector representatives highlighted the need for better coordination between employment, education, and integration systems.
● Private sector participants acknowledged the need to improve recruitment practices and create more inclusive workplaces.
● NGOs and community organisations stressed the importance of outreach and trust-building, particularly within migrant communities.
Prioritised recommendations:
1. Develop combined language + green skills + job placement programmes 2. Strengthen incentives for companies to hire and promote women in green tech
3. Increase visibility of women in green careers through targeted campaigns and mentorship initiatives
4. Policy Input for the EU-Level Blueprint
• National-level policy gaps identified:
Participants noted that while Sweden has strong policies in both gender equality and climate action, these are not always sufficiently connected. There is a lack of targeted measures addressing women’s participation specifically within the green transition. Integration policies also tend to focus on rapid employment rather than aligning individuals with future-oriented sectors such as green technology.
Proposed policy measures:
● Introduce targeted programmes linking integration, skills development, and green employment
● Improve systems for recognising foreign qualifications and prior experience
● Provide incentives for companies that actively promote gender diversity in green sectors
● Expand flexible and accessible VET programmes focused on green skills
Relevance for EU-level policy harmonisation:
The findings highlight the importance of adopting a more intersectional approach at the EU level, ensuring that gender equality, migration, and green transition policies are better aligned. Sweden’s experience demonstrates that even in strong policy environments, gaps remain in implementation and inclusion. Suggestions for inclusion in the
Policy Blueprint:
● Promote integrated training models combining language, technical skills, and employment
● Encourage cross-sector collaboration between public institutions, industry, and civil society
● Support visibility and mentorship initiatives at the EU level
● Ensure migrant women are explicitly included in green transition strategies
5. Participation & Feedback Summary
Overall feedback from participants was positive, with many highlighting the value of bringing together different sectors to discuss a shared challenge. Participants appreciated the structured format of the discussions and the opportunity to exchange perspectives. Several participants noted that the workshop created a better understanding of how barriers are interconnected, particularly for migrant women. There was also a strong interest in continuing collaboration beyond the workshop. Suggestions for improvement included allowing more time for discussion and providing follow-up opportunities to develop the proposed ideas further.
6. Annexes
• Signed attendance sheet
• Completed breakout materials
• Photos (optional)
• Agenda
• Stakeholder list