NGOs join MENALINKS Cooperation Framework to support gender equality in the energy sector
On 3 October 2025, a total of 13 organisations signed the MENALINKS Cooperation Framework in a joint commitment to support women’s empowerment in renewable energy and sector coupling solutions across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It marks an important effort of all participating organisations to create synergies and jointly support gender equality efforts.
The Cooperation Framework was formalized during a dedicated workshop session on the challenges and barriers for a more inclusive energy sector at Cairo Sustainable Energy Week (CSEW). It reflects a shared commitment to inclusive energy transition and outlines a joint vision designed to foster future collaboration, visibility, and mutual support among participating institutions.
MENALINKS aims to create synergies with ongoing projects supporting inclusive energy sector. Organisations or individual experts interested in exploring opportunities in this area, are encouraged to get in touch.
The Cooperation Framework marks the beginning of a collaborative journey. By aligning efforts across institutions and countries, MENALINKS and its partners aim to build a more inclusive energy future. It’s support for nationally lead efforts in this regard builds on a strong foundation: The MENA region already boasts some of the highest shares of female graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields globally. In countries such as Tunisia and Jordan, women account for over 40% of STEM graduates. Women hold a significant presence in public sector roles, particularly in ministries and regulatory bodies related to energy and environment.
MENALINKS supports these efforts by creating spaces for women to apply their expertise, lead innovation, and shape policy in renewable energy and sector coupling. The programme is committed to integrating gender equality considerations throughout its duration. Efforts include dedicated capacity building events, the establishment of a network of female experts in the energy industry, and the forthcoming ‘MENALINKS Female Speaker Database’, a platform showcasing regional female expertise.
The framework is endorsed by a wide array of regional and international actors, including:
The MENALINKS programme, represented by Dr. Corinna Klessmann, Director at Guidehouse and Dr. Maged Mahmoud, Acting Executive Director of RCREEE
Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), represented by Ambassador Grammenos Mastrojeni, Senior Deputy Secretary General
RES4Africa Foundation, represented by Mr Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General
Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), represented by Ms Irene Giner-Reichl, Senior Advisor and Co-Founder
Green Collar Woman Association (YEKAD) in Türkiye, represented by Ms Sedef Budak, Founder and President
Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) International, represented by Ms Selen İnal, Co-Lead of WiRE Türkiye
Association of Women Engineers and Architects (MÜKAD) in Türkiye, represented by Ms Elcin Tuncer, Board Member,
Jordan CIGRE Women in Energy (JCWiE), represented by Dr. Suffian M. Al-Bataineh, Chairman of Jordan CIGRE National Committee
Council of Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) Tunisia, represented by Ms Fatma M'Selmi Ep Baklouti, President,
Tunisian Association of Women Engineers (ATFI), represented by Ms Nadia Zid Souissi, President
Climate and Energy Project MENA of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Jordan, represented by Ms Sarah Nooren
[Discontinued programme] Energy Sector Support Activity Programme (ESSA) programme of USAID, represented by Ms Majd Suleiman, Lead PMO
