Girls in Energy led by DoTheDream YDI
Girls in Energy Leading Renewable Mini-Grid Development to Advance Gender Equality and Clean Energy for a Sustainable Future
Event Highlight
Recent Event
UN CSW70
- New York, NY
- Monday, March 16, 2026
- 10:30 AM(EST)
Session Title:
Catalyzing Energy Justice: Energizing Communities Through Girls/Women and Sport
Organizer: DoTheDream Youth Development Initiative, Alliance of Social Transformers for Sustainable Development.
Past Event
About us
Girls in Energy Project aims to shift the paradigm by driving an exponential increase in female representation and retention in the male-dominated energy sector – both renewable, blue, and green economies – and helps close the gender gap in STEM fields.
This initiative grew from the Girls Are Assets Project, which recognizes every girl’s unique potential and nurtures it toward leadership in tech, agriculture, and energy—sectors vital for national growth.
The project operates with two teams: one focused on professional career development (linear), and the other on building skills to drive sector growth and innovation (non-linear). This approach supports career pathways, retains talent in the industry, and fosters a progressive journey from skill-building to delivering scalable, sustainable solutions.
Our team
Adebusuyi O. Olumadewa
Lead Strategist, Girls in Energy
Ola Oluyinka
Co-Founder, Girls in Energy
Dr. Paige Afanu
Co-Chair Global Working Group, Girls in Energy
Titilayo T. Olumadewa
Victoria Oluyinka
Virtue Oluyinka
What we do
The Girls in Energy Project aims to equip 14,980 girls with the skills and leadership to design, implement, and operate a 10MW distributed renewable energy mini-grid hub across six communities, ensuring they gain hands-on experience that creates real-world impact.
We
Inspire
Ignite interest in energy careers through role models and real-world experiences.
We Educate
Deliver technical training in energy systems, renewable energy, and sustainability.
We Empower
Develop leadership and confidence to overcome barriers in male-dominated fields.
We Connect
Build networks with professionals, mentors, and peers.
We Advocate
Advance gender equality and inclusion through awareness and policy efforts.
Our cause
- Showcase the successful strategies of Girls in Energy in attracting young women to energy-related STEM fields.
- Identify the challenges that young women face when transition- ing into the energy sector, including limited internships, inadequate early career support, and workplace biases.
- Create actionable recommendations to sustain engagement and support women’s entry and retention in energy careers.
- Promote collaboration among educational institutions, civil society, energy companies, and policymakers to build a stronger, inclusive talent pipeline.
Our 5 pillar strategy
Conference
Targeted at girls in primary and secondary schools, as well as academies, the Girls in Energy Conference is designed to inspire, educate, and ignite passion for careers in the energy sector among young learners aged 13 to 25. The conference features dynamic keynote speeches from prominent female leaders in energy, engaging panel discussions on topics such as renewable energy, sustainability, and innovation, and interactive workshops that provide practical insights into energy technologies and career pathways.
Participants also benefit from networking opportunities with industry experts, mentors, and role models, fostering meaningful connections that support their career interests and long-term retention in the energy field. The conference aims to spark curiosity, encourage innovative thinking, and provide clear guidance and instruction to help girls envision and pursue sustainable energy careers confidently. By nurturing a strong energy culture and understanding of industry processes, this event plays a crucial role in building the foundation for a diverse and skilled future energy workforce.
Outcome:
The conference significantly raises awareness and enthusiasm for energy careers among young girls, cultivates an inclusive energy culture, and helps develop a clear pathway toward career growth and retention in the sector.
Competition
The Girls in Energy Competition promotes creativity and practical knowledge by inviting women aged 5 – 55 with passionate in developing innovative solutions for real-world energy challenges. Participants, working individually or in teams, design projects addressing critical issues like energy access, renew- able energy adoption, and efficiency. Expert panels evaluate projects on creativity, feasibility, and impact. Winners receive valuable rewards, including scholarships, internships, and funding to implement their ideas. Winning teams are also encouraged to launch local action initiatives, translating innovations into community impact. The competition nurtures a culture of innovation and highlights talented women as change-makers in the energy industry.
Outcome:
The program cultivates innovative thinking, empowers diverse talent across age groups, and supports transformative projects that drive sustainable energy solutions and social progress.
Career
This program empowers girls aged 16–25 pursuing careers in the energy sector by connecting them with accomplished female mentors who provide personalized guidance, inspiration, and industry knowledge. Through a combination of mentorship, targeted workshops, and immersive site visits to leading energy companies and research centers, participants develop the skills and confidence needed to excel professionally. A unique feature of the program is the creation of the Energy Process Network, a collaborative platform that fosters long-term mentor-mentee relationships and helps guide young women toward leadership roles and sustained industry retention. The program emphasizes building personal passion and resilience by following the example of successful female leaders known for their grit, excellence, and trailblazing careers in energy.
Outcome:
Participants graduate with enhanced career readiness, a strong professional network, and the inspiration to reach the highest levels of leadership and influence within the energy sector.
Camp
The camp offers hands-on training in renewable energy technologies, leadership workshops, and field trips for girls aged 12–25 who are passionate about STEM and the energy sector. It encourages them to envision pursuing careers and entrepreneurship in energy while integrating technology, AI, and digital tools to promote inclusion and develop effective solutions that create positive community impact.
Outcome:
Participants gain practical skills, confidence, and valuable experience to succeed in the energy industry.
Communities - Local Action, Global Progress
This component empowers women and girls to drive local actions that significantly improve access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity at the grassroots level through the development and management of a 10MW distributed renewable energy mini-grid hub. Women and girls take active leadership roles in designing, implementing, and operating the mini-grid, fostering strong local ownership and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Outcome:
This initiative enhances energy access and resilience, creates economic opportunities, and delivers meaningful social impact—advancing inclusive environmental progress globally.
Contact Us
To explore partnership opportunities, please contact:
Ola Oluyinka
Co-Founder, DoTheDream YDI
United States
+1 443 425 9748
ola.oluyinka@dothedreamydi.org
Adebusuyi Olutayo Olumadewa
Co-Founder, DoTheDream YDI
Lagos, Nigeria
+234 803 951 3286
ceo@dothedreamydi.org