Women in STEM – a grassroot initiative in Romania
Across Europe, gender inequality in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) remains a challenge. Despite policy frameworks and high-level commitments, real inclusion often struggles to take root in local communities, and representation of women in these sectors continues to lag.
In Romania, the story is no different. Traditional cultural norms, the underrepresentation of women, and a shortage of development opportunities have sidelined women and contributed to a lasting imbalance. But this is where local, community-centred action can step in. One such example is the Association of Women in Engineering, Science and Technology (AFIST) based in Romania.
AFIST is a grassroots initiative that has grown into a nationally recognised organisation supporting women’s participation in STEM through education, mentoring, networking and professional development.
The good practice in details
How does it work?
AFIST’s approach is collaborative, inclusive and community-driven. The organisation operates on the belief that progress and development can only be sustainable when they are inclusive and equitable.
Thus, they involve as many people as possible, regardless of gender or orientation, from different backgrounds and varied abilities. The core of AFIST’s work lies in creating a supportive environment, where women in STEM can grow, connect and gain access to new opportunities.
AFIST’s focus areas can be divided into four categories: education, mentorship, networking and culture, and professional development.
Education is the foundation for all else - their programme aims to dismantle stereotypes early and encourage curiosity and ambition in technical subjects. AFIST’s mentorship system then provides structured guidance and connects experienced professionals with newcomers.
Thus, participants won’t only gain technical knowledge, but will also strengthen their soft skills and business understanding. In doing so, the experience becomes more complete and tailored to real needs.
Beyond formal mentoring, AFIST fosters a culture of peer exchange through events, conferences, and informal gatherings. These meetings are not just platforms for information-sharing, but spaces where participants can develop a sense of belonging and confidence as women in STEM.
In a world where many women may be the only female presence in their academic or professional environments, this kind of community-building is essential.
Finally, AFIST works to bridge the gap between education and employment. By building relationships with universities, employers, and policy actors, the initiative helps ensure that the support women receive leads to real professional opportunities, and that organisations themselves become more responsive to the need for inclusion.
A real impact on the ground
In just a few years, AFIST has built a network of over 900 individuals across STEM and education. It has supported more than 100 mentees, developed partnerships with more than 15 national and international organisations, and organised over 20 events, including three large-scale conferences.
Public awareness campaigns have reached hundreds more, challenging long-held assumptions about gender and technical competence in Romania. While these numbers are impressive, much of AFIST’s influence operates in less visible ways.
It shows young girls that technical ambition is valid, gives women the space to speak as experts and changes how employers and educators think about gender, leadership, and potential.
The leverage effect of the public sector
Despite their impressive results, AFIST wasn’t built through institutional funding or a large operational staff. In fact, the organisation has no employees at all. It is powered by a core group of 5-7 dedicated volunteers who organise activities, run mentorship programmes, host events, and form partnerships across sectors. With minimal resources (operating on a budget of only around €10,000 per year), AFIST has managed to build a versatile network, combining different perspectives, disciplines and sectors.
AFIST’s potential hasn’t gone unnoticed by governing bodies either. Through the WeSTEMEU project, the Bucharest-Ilfov Regional Development Agency (BI RDA) has actively supported AFIST’s visibility and integration into the regional development ecosystem.
By including AFIST in regional and interregional exchange events, BI RDA helped connect the organisation with policymakers, educators, business leaders and other key stakeholders.
These interactions significantly strengthened AFIST’s advocacy capacity and fostered cross-sectoral collaboration, thus ensuring better alignment between education initiatives, talent development and labour market needs.
Therefore, for regional and local authorities, AFIST demonstrates how community-led initiatives can become valuable and reliable partners in long-term development of women’s inclusion in STEM. At the same time, it offers a source of inspiration for individuals who want to create change within their own communities.
