The SHERISE project follows a SMART framework to ensure clear, measurable, and impactful outcomes that align with the Erasmus+ priorities.
Specific Objectives: SHERISE aims to empower female students (14-18 years old) from diverse backgrounds by enhancing their interest in STEM, entrepreneurial skills, and leadership capabilities. Through STEM workshops, entrepreneurship training, mentorship programs, social innovation projects, and community events, the project provides hands-on experiences to bridge the gender gap in STEM and entrepreneurship.
Measurable Objectives & Expected Results: The project will track progress through pre- and post-surveys, skill assessments, participant feedback, and mentor evaluations. Success indicators include: 80% increase in participants’ interest in STEM careers (measured via surveys). 90% of participants demonstrating improved entrepreneurial & leadership skills (assessed through business plan presentations).
Development of key outputs:
A2 – STEM Solutions Portfolio: A collection of innovative STEM-based solutions designed by students.
A3 – V-log of A3: A digital video log documenting the learning experiences and key takeaways.
A4 – STEM & Gender Equality Journal: A publication featuring research, student reflections, and success stories.
Achievable Objectives: The project is designed with realistic goals, utilizing a structured 18-month implementation plan across four countries (PL, GR, TR, IT). It includes five key activities (one virtual, four onsite), expert-led training, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The participating schools have experience in STEM, entrepreneurship, and gender equality initiatives, ensuring feasibility.
Relevant Objectives: SHERISE aligns with Erasmus+ priorities by:
Inclusion & Diversity: Addressing gender imbalances in STEM and providing equal opportunities.
Key Competences Development: Enhancing students’ STEM, digital, and entrepreneurial skills.
Promoting STEM Interest: Fostering curiosity and excellence in STEM through experiential learning.
Entrepreneurial Learning: Offering hands-on training in leadership, innovation, and business creation.
Time-bound Objectives: The project follows a structured timeline (Dec 2025 – May 2027) with clear milestones:
Months 1: Virtual kick-off, baseline surveys, mentor-mentee pairing.
Months 2-16: Three student mobilities (Turkey, Greece, Italy) featuring STEM training, entrepreneurship workshops, leadership activities, and community events, resulting in the STEM Solutions Portfolio, V-log, and STEM & Gender Equality Journal.
Months 17-18: Final onsite meeting in Poland, evaluation, dissemination, and publication of an open-access repository of best practices.
The SHERISE project targets female students (16 directly, 400 indirectly) from disadvantaged backgrounds (i.e. socioeconomic challenges, limited access to quality STEM education, vulnerable groups, or those facing cultural and gender related barriers in education), STEM teachers or teachers interested in STEM (4 directly, 40 indirectly), and several policymakers to address gender disparities in STEM and entrepreneurship.
Strategic Foundations of SHERISE:
We used evidence-based approach in determining the needs and it’s built on:
Surveys and Interviews: With 100 students and 50 teachers in partner schools, highlighting gender disparities in STEM.
Strategic Document Review: Promoting diversity and inclusion in schools in Europe (European Commission/EACEA/Eurydice, 2023), OECD (2015, 2021) and EU (2020) reports on gender equality in education.
SWOT Analysis: Identifying key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in gender-inclusive STEM education.
Expert Consultations: Ensuring alignment with best practices and the latest educational strategies.
Ongoing Evaluation & Adaptation: Integrating feedback loops to refine project activities dynamically.
Our motivation is fueled by:
„We still need more women in science”: The SHERISE project aligns with the European Commission’s commitment to supporting women and girls in securing their rightful place in STEM fields (European Commission, 2024). Recognizing the persistent gender gap in STEM, SHERISE is motivated by the urgent need to translate these policies and initiatives into tangible actions at the grassroots level.
Fostering Girls’ Entrepreneurship & Leadership: Girls are often discouraged from pursuing entrepreneurship or leadership roles. By integrating entrepreneurship training and social innovation projects, SHERISE ensures that girls develop the practical skills and confidence to take on leadership roles and pursue their own entrepreneurial ventures.
Building a Collaborative Ecosystem Across Europe: The SHERISE project involves four countries creating a unique opportunity for cross-cultural learning and collaboration. By bringing together students, teachers, and policymakers, the project promotes the sharing of best practices, building a European network that works toward gender equality and STEM innovation.
Sustainable Impact: Through continuous evaluation and adaptation, SHERISE will ensure that its impact is lasting. The project doesn’t just focus on immediate outcomes, but aims to instill long-term skills and mindsets that will benefit the participants well beyond the project’s duration. The knowledge gained from this project will be disseminated to the wider educational community, fostering systemic change in how STEM and entrepreneurship are taught to girls across Europe.
By directly addressing the gender imbalance in STEM, entrepreneurship, and leadership, SHERISE will make a tangible difference in empowering girls across Europe.
The project takes a holistic approach by combining STEM education, entrepreneurship, leadership training, and community involvement—making it a model for other projects in the future.
The outcomes of SHERISE will be shared with schools, teachers, and policymakers across Europe, creating a ripple effect that will influence educational practices and policies long after the project ends.
SHERISE aligns directly with Erasmus+ priorities of inclusion, diversity, and the development of key competences, with a focus on STEM, entrepreneurial learning, and gender equality.
SHERISE is designed to address both the specific needs of the participating organizations and the target groups- female students, teachers, and policymakers- by creating a structured, collaborative, and impactful framework. The project aligns with the objectives of the participating institutions while directly addressing the needs of the target groups.