Women's Sustainability Platform Now Accepting Applications for 2026 'Trailblazer' Program

Abu Dhabi's Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize have opened applications for their 2026 "Women Leaders" program, marking the ninth year of an initiative that's trained over 150 women from 30+ countries in sustainability leadership. The program targets women aged 25-35 with at least two years of experience in environmental, energy, or STEM fields.

Since launching in 2018, the program has delivered more than 535 hours of workshops and 515 hours of individual mentoring sessions. But here's what makes it different from typical training programs: participants get hands-on field experience through the annual "Wiser Cares" initiative, where they work directly with local communities on real sustainability projects.

The program combines professional development with practical experience. Recent participants traveled to Indonesia to study the country's energy transition, visiting geothermal power plants and floating solar projects while attending climate finance workshops. They also participate in major global events like Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and climate conferences.

Dr. Lamia Nawaf Fawaz, who manages the program at Masdar, says the platform was built around the belief that women play crucial leadership roles in building and advancing societies. The program focuses on enabling women to contribute effectively to innovation, policy development, and solution creation in the sustainability sector.

The numbers show real impact. Program graduates now work across clean energy, technology, policy, and community development sectors. They've launched business projects and contributed to sustainability efforts in their home countries.

For many participants, the program opens doors that might otherwise remain closed. Fatima Afghan, a 2025 participant from the UAE, points out that women in early career stages rarely get opportunities to participate in high-level discussions with industry leaders about shaping the future. The program changes that dynamic.

Eduarda Zoghbi from Brazil, another 2025 participant, describes the experience as eye-opening. She gained deeper understanding of UAE culture and sustainability approaches while building her professional network through valuable workshops and mentoring sessions.

The program structure includes specialized workshops in clean energy, sustainability, leadership, and innovation. Participants also get individual mentoring from industry experts and networking opportunities with international professionals.

Applications are now open for women entrepreneurs or professionals with relevant experience in environment, energy, sustainability, or STEM fields. The competitive year-long program continues to focus on preparing the next generation of female sustainability leaders who can drive meaningful change in the energy sector and their communities.