Encouraging girls to choose scientific and technological paths is the aim of “Back to School”, the program with which Enel aims to combat gender inequality in the STEM disciplinesThe Group led by Flavio Cattaneo It has provided students with a range of tools, from financial assistance for enrollment in scientific faculties to mentoring activities with industry professionals, to orientation days and in-company experiences.
The gender gap in STEM subjects
The initiative was born in response to a global situation that remains critical: according to the latest UNESCO report, the women represent just 35% of STEM graduates, a figure that hasn't changed in the last ten years. The situation worsens in the more technical disciplines: Only 28% of engineers and 30% of ICT specialists are women; percentages that collapse in emerging sectors such as cloud computing (12%) and artificial intelligence/data science (26%).
The gap is also reflected in scientific institutions: in 2025, women will represent only 19% of the members of national academies and hold just 20% of top positions.
At European level, the issue of digital skills It has become even more urgent. There are 10,3 million ICT specialists in the EU, but to achieve the Digital Decade goals, 20 million professionals will be needed by 2030: a need that currently places over 70% of businesses in difficulty, unable to find adequately qualified personnel.
How Enel's "Back to School" program works
It is in this scenario that the path initiated by Enel fits in. Also for the 2025/26 school year, “Back to School” will bring to the high schools throughout Italy meetings dedicated to undergraduate students, with testimonials and guidance offered by the Group's experts. The program also includes five scholarships For high school graduates intending to enroll in a STEM degree program, with contributions of up to €5.000.
Over the past year, the project has involved over 2.000 female students e 46 STEM professionals from Enel, committed to sharing skills and career paths to motivate young women to explore opportunities that are still too often perceived as "not for them." The results of the most recent edition were presented on the occasion of the International Day of Women in Science.
From school to work: Enel promotes gender equality
“Back to School” is, in fact, a female empowerment initiative that starts at school, with a direct impact on reducing the gender gap. Because, despite progress, the road to eliminating differences is still long: Global Gender Gap Index 2025 estimates that only 68,8% of the gap towards parity has been closed and that, at the current pace, it will take more than 100 years to reach it.
The initiative is part of the Enel Group's broader commitment to gender equality, which includes inspirational talks, career guidance, training projects, and international programs dedicated to promoting the presence of women in the scientific and technological sectors.
