Centres of Vocational Excellence across Ukraine are taking concrete steps to make STEM and technical education more accessible and inclusive for girls and women. Initially, eleven CoVEs conducted gender self-assessments and developed gender-transformative action plans to identify and address barriers affecting women’s participation in technical education and employment. These plans were presented during a WLICT webinar held on 15 September 2026, opened by Ms Shumik, Director General for Vocational Education and Training at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Following the strong interest and quality of the proposals received, Enabel mobilised complementary funding from its bilateral portfolio to extend support to 10 additional CoVEs in Ukraine, increasing reach and replication potential. A second webinar took place on 4 November 2026, during which the newly enrolled Centres presented their action plans and expected results. 
 
Through direct grants, the CoVEs will implement these tailored initiatives to attract, retain and support girls and women in STEM pathways. Planned activities include awareness-raising campaigns, role model and mentoring programmes, targeted training opportunities, partnerships with employers, improvements to learning environments, and measures to strengthen women’s transition from education to employment. By testing and institutionalising gender-transformative practices, the initiative aims to create lasting change in vocational education and expand opportunities for girls and women in STEM careers.

Implementing actor(s): Enabel, Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) in Chernihiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Uzhorod, Kalush, Vinnytsia, Rivne, Kolky, Skvyra, Bila Tserkva.

Partners: 

• Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs): Vocational Lyceum of Ukrainka , Bila Tserkva Higher Vocational School of Construction and Services, Snovsk Higher Vocational School of Forestry, Pereiaslav Vocational College, Chernihiv Higher Vocational School, Boryspil Vocational College, Chernihiv Center for Vocational and Technical Education, Chernihiv Professional Construction Lyceum, Brovary Vocational College, Chernihiv Vocational Lyceum of Railway Transport, Skvyra Higher Vocational School , Higher Vocational School of Tulchyn” of Vinnytsia Regional Council, Dnipro Professional Technological College, Kvasyliv Vocational Lyceum, Odesa Center for Vocational and Technical Education, Uzhhorod Vocational Education and Training Centre, Kyiv Vocational College TECHNO-ART, Lviv Interregional Higher Vocational School of Railway Transport, Chortkiv Higher Vocational School, Higher Vocational School No. 7 in Kalush, Kolky Center for Vocational Education 

• Ministry of Education and Science ​of Ukraine (DG VET)