Taking solar steps for women in Ukraine
Pamela Largue
Posted on: 28 October 2025
In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Yuliana Onishchuk of the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation, highlights their pioneering initiative to empower women in the solar sector.
This November, the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation is launching the free-of-charge Solar Step programme, which aims to provide displaced and vulnerable women in Ukraine with the skills to become project managers in solar power construction.
Interest in the programme has been overwhelming, says Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation CEO and founder Yuliana Onishchuk, and guest of the Energy Transitions podcast. And for good reasons. Onishchuk explains that Ukraine’s energy sector remains heavily male-dominated, and the war has further depleted the workforce. This means Solar Step has the potential to be transformative for the sector and life-changing for the women participating.
In this episode, you will learn more about:
- The origins and goals of the Solar Step programme,
- Who applied for the programme and why there was such an overwhelming response,
- How Onishchuk’s personal journey inspired the course design,
- Ukraine’s renewable energy landscape and potential,
- How project success brings a sense of unity and victory to locals,
- Results of the Enlit Europe 2024 fundraiser,
- The vision and next steps for Energy Act for Ukraine.
Yuliana Onishchuk will be sharing her insights at Enlit Europe in Bilbao, 18-20 November. Register to join her and be a part of the conversation.
