SEforALL's STEM Traineeship Programme in Latin America

Welcoming the Latest STEM Traineeship Cohort

From November 2025, four young women from Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Mexico will participate in a six-month traineeship designed to equip these emerging professionals with the technical and soft skills necessary to thrive as future energy leaders and drive a sustainable energy future in their communities and region. This is the latest cohort of the STEM traineeship (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), launched by SEforALL in partnership with the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), on 24 November 2025.

The STEM Traineeship provides technical training covering areas such as clean energy implementation, unlocking financing for Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), and advancing country-specific Energy Compact commitments.

The trainees will work closely with government officials and project partners in their respective countries, conducting landscape analyses of investments and ensuring alignment with national Energy Compact objectives while supporting the OLADE team in technical activities and high-level events.

Their training will also include site visits, virtual technical training and professional development sessions on essential soft skills like career development, communications and social media.

The cohort’s work will support their respective national commitments to clean energy and energy access. For example, Colombia’s SDG7 Energy Compact commits to diversifying the country’s energy matrix, promoting energy efficiency, and better managing fugitive emissions.

Ecuador, on the other hand, is one of 14 countries that are part of the regional Renewable Energy in Latin America and the Caribbean (REALC) Energy Compact, which seeks to achieve 70% renewable energy in installed capacity and electricity generation in the region by 2030.

Honduras has multiple commitments, including universal electricity access, adopting clean coking technologies, and guaranteeing transparency through data and digitalization. Critically, Honduras also has a dedicated Energy Compact focusing on Empowering Women in the Energy Sector.

“We are proud to expand our partnership with OLADE through the launch of the STEM Traineeship Programme. This initiative is key to reinforcing our commitment to placing women at the forefront of the energy transition and driving the development of effective policies and sustainable investment in the region,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for SEforALL.

“OLADE is excited to partner with SEforALL on this initiative to accelerate action toward achieving SDG7 and promote energy integration across the region. By focusing capacity building, we are committed to cultivating a new generation of leaders who will drive a just energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Andrés Rebolledo Smitmans, Executive Secretary of OLADE.

The new STEM trainees join a dedicated cohort of 42 alumni who have successfully completed the SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme across Ghana, Kenya, Panama, Sierra Leone and Tanzania, forming a growing global network of energy professionals providing critical skills in support of national-level energy goals.

"Being selected is a meaningful opportunity to start building a path in a field I truly care about. It represents growth and the chance to learn while contributing. I’m looking forward to learning from the team, gaining new skills, and contributing to a more equitable energy transition." - Juliana Pulido (Colombia)

"Being selected for the SEforALL STEM Traineeship feels like the beginning of a dream. It gives me the chance to help shape meaningful change and support a fair, inclusive and hopeful energy future. I am excited to learn, contribute, and work alongside dedicated professionals. I look forward to strengthening my technical and personal skills to meaningfully support the energy transition and help drive lasting, positive change." - Camila Meneses (Ecuador)

“Being selected for the SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme is an honor that strengthens my professional growth and motivates me to continue contributing to the energy advancement and sustainable development of my country. I look forward to strengthening my technical and leadership skills, learning from international experts, and participating in projects that create real impact in advancing sustainable energy solutions.” - Grace Morales (Honduras)

"This programme represents a meaningful opportunity to contribute my work to a field I deeply value, and to grow professionally by learning directly from international efforts advancing sustainable development and environmental stewardship. I am beyond excited to actively contribute to sustainable development by supporting greener energy initiatives and working toward actions that improve communities’ quality of life and strengthen their resilience to imminent climate-change challenges." - Jessica Sotelo Gil (Mexico)

STEM Traineeship Recognized as a Key Climate Solution

The STEM Traineeship Programme has gained notable global recognition, having been selected by the COP30 Presidency and the High-Level Climate Champions (HLCC) as a vital solution featured in the Granary of Solutions, a central component of the COP30 Agenda that highlights proven initiatives accelerating climate action in line with the Global Stocktake and the Paris Agreement.

Recognized as a key case study, the STEM Traineeship exemplifies efforts advancing the critical objective of “Education, capacity building, and job creation to address climate change.”

Learn more about the STEM Traineeship’s inclusion in the Granary of Solutions here: www.climatechampions.net/action-agenda/fostering-human-social-development/18-education-capacity-building-and-job-creation-to-address-climate-change/new-skills-development

SEforALL extends our gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Iceland for the crucial financial support, which makes this impactful programme possible.