REScoop.eu scoops the 2023 Solar Diversity Champion Gold Award

• REScoop.EU was awarded the Gold Solar Diversity Champion Award, during the closing session of our online #SolarWorksFair.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Thursday 16th November 2023):  #SolarWorksFair attendees voted for REScoop.EU, SoliTek, and SolarEdge, as their Gold, Silver, and Bronze Solar Diversity Champion 2023 winners.

The panel applauded REScoop.eu’s gender equality and justice ethos across its activities, highlighting its ‘Charter of Commitment on Equality between Women and Men in Cooperatives,’ and its Gender Power Working Group. REScoop.EU’s diversity story was presented by Antonia Proka, Project Manger, and Sara Tachelet, Communications manager.

Dirk Vansintjan, President, and Nuri Palmada, Vice-President, REScoop.eu said; "Gender equality in the energy sector is not only a matter of justice and human rights, but is also key to unlocking the full potential of renewable energy. As the European federation of citizen energy cooperatives, we embrace diversity and inclusivity, recognising that the collective strength of all genders is essential in achieving a 100% renewable, and democratic energy transition for all." 

With the EU solar sector expected to require 1 million jobs in Europe as soon as 2025, it is crucial to ensure that diversity and gender balance are integrated into the workforce. 40% of the solar workers are women - more than any other energy sector. However, there is still much work to be done to improve gender and diversity balance at all levels of organisations, in particular when it comes to the share of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe said; “We are delighted to present REScoop.EU  with the Gold Solar Diversity Champion Award. I am proud that we have more women in solar, compared to any other energy technology. Solar growth is skyrocketing in tandem with the solar workforce; however, we need companies like REScoop.EU, to make sure this expansion is inclusive and equitable.

The Solar Diversity Champion Awards acknowledge and celebrate organisations that have demonstrated commitment and success in achieving gender balance, and creating diverse, inclusive work environments. By highlighting such organisations, SolarPower Europe hopes to encourage more companies to prioritise diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, leading to a stronger and more innovative solar industry."

The jury panel nominated three finalists for the Gold, Silver and Bronze Solar Diversity Champion Awards 2023: REScoop.EU; SolarEdge; and SoliTek. At the end of the #SolarWorksFair, award finalists presented their work on inclusivity and diversity to attendees, and a jury panel. Afterwards, attendees voted for their Gold, Silver, and Bronze Solar Diversity Champion Award winners. 

The jury panel featured: Marine Cornelis, Founder & Executive Director, Next Energy Consumer; Amélie Snijders, Energy & Industrial Policy Specialist, FleishmanHillard EU, and Advocacy co-lead at the Brussels Binder; Milan Sverepa, Director, Inclusion Europe; Soufiane El Amrani, Accessibility expert, Inclusion Europe; and Charlotte Otten, Head of Events, SolarPower Europe as moderator.

Riki Koren, VP Global Information Systems, and Gili Swary, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, spoke on behalf of SolarEdge. Vilius Aleknavičius presented SoliTek’s diversity initiatives.

SoliTek was the second finalist recognised by the panel. The company was praised for its work on employing people with disabilities, as well as Ukrainian refugees. Currently, one fifth of the company’s workforce have disabilities; since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, SoliTek has employed 32 Ukrainian refugees.

Finally, the judges applauded SolarEdge’s tech hub and training programme for Bedouin women to help them transcend cultural barriers, and improve their access to careers in STEM.