Brussels, August 14, 2023. On August 12th, the International Youth Day was celebrated, an event established by the United Nations to promote the involvement of young people in all areas of society.
In LIFE ECOdigestion 2.0, we have joined the global community to celebrate this day, recognizing the crucial role of young people as key actors in the continuation of the green and digital transition.
The global labor landscape is undergoing a transformation towards a sustainable future in which technology and digitization play an increasingly crucial role. In this context, the teaching of STEAM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) has become a priority for both the European Union and the education system.
However, a significant gap persists due to the scarcity of female role models and the lack of information in the STEAM fields, resulting in only 7% of girls envisioning themselves as future scientists, and a mere 30% choosing STEAM-related careers in higher education.
With the purpose of addressing this inequality and promoting youth participation, we continue to join efforts with our partners Global Omnium, Finnova EU, and Águas do Centro Litoral to drive concrete initiatives such as Girls4Tech. The primary goal of this initiative is to stimulate STEM skills among girls and boys aged 8 to 18, nurturing their curiosity and providing them with informative and formative support, so that these experiences influence their future career choices.
In this direction, we are coming together to develop dynamics and projects that promote their participation and active engagement. In the upcoming weeks, we will launch a contest aimed at Spanish schools, with the goal of offering 10 teams of girls and boys the opportunity to conceive and present innovative solutions for the sustainable utilization of treated water in their respective communities.
Coinciding with the celebration of International Youth Day, we reaffirm our commitment and determination to continue supporting the green transition led by the new generations within the framework of the European LIFE Program.
About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0
LIFE ECOdigestion 2.0 is a pilot demonstration project, funded by LIFE Programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 EUR, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.
About Finnova Foundation
Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.
About Global Omnium
Global Omnium is a business group of national and international reference,specialized in the different processes that have to do with the Integral Water Cycle, developing multiple complementary business lines that create synergies for the optimization of water resources, in addition to waste treatment.
It currently provides coverage to 5.5 million people in more than 300 Spanish cities, in addition to having a presence in 3 other continents. It is a project of social commitment, made up of century-old companies that have been contributing to the growth of the cities and municipalities in which they operate for more than a century.
About Águas do Centro Litoral
Águas do Centro Litoral is a water and wastewater management company operating in the central coastal region of Portugal. Committed to sustainable water management, they provide high-quality services while protecting the environment.
About Girls4Tech
Girls4Tech is an initiative dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurship and innovation skills among youth. Its focus lies in supporting STEM projects for girls aged 8 to 18 through the Finnova Technovation Girls challengeprogram. In partnership with TechnovationGirls CV and Talent Growth Management, they provide training, skill development, and promotion opportunities. By fostering a passion for STEM and entrepreneurship, they aim to bridge gender gaps and empower the next generation of innovators.