Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme 2026: Digital Training, Career Mentorship and Online Safety Education for Women and Girls

The Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme 2026 is a collaborative initiative designed to empower women and girls through digital skills training, professional mentorship, and education on online safety. The programme aims to help participants strengthen their digital capabilities, explore opportunities in technology, develop professional confidence, and learn how to recognize and respond to technology-facilitated violence.

As digital technologies continue to transform education, employment, entrepreneurship, and communication, digital literacy has become increasingly important for women seeking to participate fully in the modern economy. However, access to relevant training, professional networks, career guidance, and safe online environments remains uneven. Initiatives that combine technical education with mentorship and digital safety awareness can help address these barriers.

The Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme seeks to address these needs by bringing together technical training, guidance from experienced professionals, and practical education on navigating digital spaces safely. Its areas of focus include digital literacy, artificial intelligence (AI), digital entrepreneurship, information and communication technology (ICT), cybersecurity awareness, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and human resources (HR).

The initiative is primarily targeted at women and girls in the Western Balkans and is described as offering opportunities to participate through online and in-person formats. This approach may help participants access learning and mentorship while engaging with professionals and other women who share an interest in digital development.

For women and girls who want to improve their digital skills, understand emerging technologies, explore career possibilities, or build confidence in professional environments, the programme represents an opportunity worth investigating.

 

About the Women in Tech Mentorship Initiative

Women in Tech is associated with initiatives that encourage women’s participation, leadership, and advancement in technology and related professional fields. Mentorship is an important part of this approach because technical knowledge alone does not always provide everything a person needs to progress professionally.

Women entering or advancing in technology may also benefit from guidance on career planning, professional communication, leadership, networking, workplace challenges, and identifying suitable opportunities. Mentorship can help participants learn from people with relevant experience, understand different career pathways, and make more informed decisions about their development.

The Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme brings together this emphasis on professional development with digital skills education and online safety awareness.

Its stated objectives include:

• Building digital capabilities: Helping women and girls develop knowledge and skills relevant to participation in the digital economy.
• Supporting professional development: Connecting participants with mentorship opportunities and guidance from people working in relevant professional fields.
• Encouraging women’s participation in technology: Supporting women and girls who want to explore or strengthen their involvement in ICT, STEM, and related sectors.
• Promoting digital safety: Improving awareness of technology-facilitated violence and ways to recognize, prevent, and respond to harmful online experiences.
• Strengthening confidence and career readiness: Supporting participants as they explore professional opportunities, develop practical skills, and engage with digital technologies.
• Encouraging entrepreneurship: Introducing or strengthening skills relevant to digital business development and the use of technology in entrepreneurial activities.

By bringing these areas together, the programme addresses both the opportunities and the challenges associated with women’s participation in an increasingly digital world.

Key Details of the Women in Tech × UN Women Programme 2026

The following table summarizes the main details provided in the available programme information.

Programme detail	Information
Programme name	Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme 2026
Programme type	Digital skills training, mentorship, and online safety education
Organizing initiative	Women in Tech, in collaboration with UN Women
Primary target audience	Women and girls
Geographic focus	Western Balkans
Delivery format	Online and in-person, according to the programme announcement
Main subject areas	Digital literacy, artificial intelligence, digital entrepreneurship, ICT, cyber safety, STEM, and HR
Mentorship format	Individual and group guidance, as described in the announcement
Application deadline	November 20, 2026
Application method	Online application through the designated Women in Tech × UN Women application form
Programme duration	Not confirmed in the supplied information
Participation fees	Not confirmed in the supplied information

 

What the Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme Offers

1. Digital Skills Training

Digital skills training is one of the programme’s central components. As businesses, public institutions, educational organizations, and entrepreneurs increasingly rely on digital systems, the ability to understand and use technology is becoming essential across a wide range of professions.

Digital skills can help individuals access information, communicate effectively, complete tasks more efficiently, participate in online learning, and identify opportunities for employment or entrepreneurship.

The programme information identifies several relevant areas of learning.

Digital literacy

Digital literacy involves the ability to use digital devices, applications, and online resources effectively and responsibly. It can include navigating digital platforms, finding and evaluating information, communicating online, understanding basic digital tools, and recognizing potential online risks.

For participants who are still developing their digital capabilities, these skills can provide a foundation for more advanced learning. For those who already have some experience, improving digital literacy can support greater confidence and more effective participation in professional environments.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in fields such as administration, education, marketing, data analysis, customer service, research, and business operations. Understanding AI can help participants explore how emerging technologies are being applied in different industries.

AI-related learning may also help participants become more familiar with the changing skills demanded by employers and entrepreneurs. However, the precise AI topics, tools, and practical exercises included in this programme have not been confirmed in the supplied information.

Digital entrepreneurship

Digital entrepreneurship concerns the use of technology to establish, manage, promote, or grow a business. Digital tools can help entrepreneurs reach customers, communicate with clients, manage business operations, and explore online markets.

For women interested in entrepreneurship, developing digital capabilities can be useful when launching a business, expanding an existing venture, or identifying ways to use technology to solve practical problems.

The programme’s emphasis on digital entrepreneurship is therefore relevant to participants interested in both employment and self-employment.

2. Individual and Group Mentorship

Mentorship is another major component of the programme. Learning a technical skill can be valuable, but receiving guidance from experienced professionals may help participants understand how to apply their knowledge, identify realistic goals, and navigate professional challenges.

According to the programme announcement, mentorship opportunities include individual and group guidance from mentors working in areas such as ICT, cyber safety, STEM, and human resources.

Individual mentorship can provide a more focused setting in which a participant receives guidance relevant to her interests, development needs, or career questions. Depending on the programme’s arrangements, this type of interaction may help participants discuss professional goals, explore possible career pathways, and identify areas for further learning.

Group mentorship can create opportunities for participants to learn alongside others, exchange experiences, ask questions, and benefit from shared discussions. Group interactions can also expose participants to different professional perspectives and help them develop communication and collaboration skills.

Mentorship may be particularly valuable for women who are exploring technology careers for the first time, transitioning into a new professional field, or looking for guidance on developing their existing skills.

The exact number of mentoring sessions, mentor-matching procedures, meeting schedules, and duration of the mentoring relationship should be confirmed through the official programme information.

3. Online Safety and Technology-Facilitated Violence Education

A distinctive feature of the programme is its emphasis on online safety and technology-facilitated violence.

Technology-facilitated violence refers to harmful behaviour that is enabled, carried out, or amplified through digital technologies. It can occur through social media platforms, messaging applications, websites, digital communication tools, and other online environments.

Examples of harmful conduct can include cyberstalking, online harassment, threats delivered through digital channels, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, impersonation, and the misuse of personal information. The specific forms of harm addressed in the programme have not been individually confirmed, but these examples illustrate why digital safety education is important.

The programme’s stated focus on recognizing, preventing, and responding to technology-facilitated violence can help participants become more aware of risks associated with online participation.

Digital safety awareness is relevant to women and girls who use online platforms for education, employment, entrepreneurship, professional networking, or personal communication. Understanding online risks can help individuals make more informed decisions about privacy, account security, sharing personal information, and seeking support when they encounter harmful behaviour.

This component also highlights an important principle: expanding women’s access to digital opportunities should go hand in hand with efforts to make digital environments safer and more inclusive.

4. Exposure to ICT, STEM, Cyber Safety, and Human Resources

The programme announcement identifies mentors working across several professional areas. These fields offer different pathways for participants interested in developing their careers or broadening their understanding of the digital economy.

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT): ICT covers technologies used to create, process, store, and communicate information. It includes a wide range of roles involving digital systems, software, networks, technical support, and technology services.
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): STEM fields encompass disciplines that contribute to scientific research, technical innovation, engineering solutions, and quantitative problem-solving. Mentorship in these areas may be useful to participants exploring technical education or STEM-related careers.
• Cyber safety: Cyber safety focuses on using digital systems and online platforms safely. It can involve awareness of digital threats, responsible online behaviour, privacy, and responses to harmful online interactions.
• Human resources (HR): Human resources concerns the management and development of people within organizations. Guidance in this area may be relevant to participants interested in recruitment, employee development, workplace communication, and organizational careers.

The availability of mentors across these areas can potentially expose participants to a variety of professional experiences. Applicants should check the official programme details to determine which mentors, specializations, and learning opportunities are available to their particular cohort.

 

Eligibility Criteria for the Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme 2026

Understanding the eligibility criteria is an important step for anyone considering applying to the Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme. Applicants should establish whether they meet the programme’s intended audience and any country-specific requirements before completing the application form.

The information currently available identifies women and girls as the target audience, with a primary geographic focus on the Western Balkans. However, the supplied announcement does not provide a complete official eligibility policy. The following sections distinguish the information stated in the announcement from requirements that applicants still need to verify.

1. Gender and Target Audience

The programme is designed for women and girls who are interested in developing digital skills, receiving mentorship, and improving their understanding of online safety.

Potentially relevant participants include:

• Women interested in beginning a career in technology.

• Girls seeking opportunities to develop digital literacy and explore STEM-related subjects.

• Women who want to improve their existing digital skills.

• Participants interested in artificial intelligence and digital entrepreneurship.

• Women exploring careers in ICT, cyber safety, STEM, or human resources.

• Women seeking professional guidance, career development support, or exposure to technology-related opportunities.

• Participants interested in learning about online safety and responding to technology-facilitated violence.

These examples describe audiences who may find the programme relevant; they are not a confirmed list of formally eligible applicant categories.

The announcement does not specify a minimum or maximum age. Applicants should therefore check the application form for any age restrictions, parental consent requirements for younger applicants, or other conditions relating to participation by minors.

2. Country of Residence and Nationality

The programme is described as primarily targeting women and girls across the Western Balkans.

This geographic focus is an important consideration because an online application format does not necessarily mean that the programme accepts applicants from every country.

Applicants should check whether eligibility is determined by nationality, current country of residence, or both. They should also confirm which Western Balkan countries and territories are included in the programme.

For prospective applicants living outside the target region, eligibility remains unconfirmed. Women based in other parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, or elsewhere should not assume that they qualify solely because they can participate online.

 

3. Educational Qualifications

The available announcement does not specify a minimum educational qualification.

It does not confirm whether applicants must have completed secondary school, be enrolled in a university, hold a bachelor’s degree, or possess a particular technical qualification.

This means that no specific academic requirement should be assumed without checking the official application instructions.

Applicants should look for information about whether the programme welcomes:

• Secondary school students.

• University and college students.

• Recent graduates.

• Women with technical or non-technical educational backgrounds.

• Women pursuing professional development outside formal education.

These are categories to check against the official criteria, not a guarantee that every category is eligible.

4. Previous Experience in Technology

The programme covers digital literacy, AI, digital entrepreneurship, and mentorship across several professional areas. However, the available information does not establish whether applicants need prior work experience, coding knowledge, or formal training in technology.

Women who are new to technology may find the programme’s digital skills component relevant, while those who already have experience may be interested in its mentorship and career development elements.

Nevertheless, applicants should confirm whether the programme is intended for beginners, intermediate learners, experienced professionals, or a combination of these groups.

If the application asks about existing skills or experience, applicants should provide accurate information about their background, interests, and learning goals.

5. Interest in Digital Skills, Mentorship, and Online Safety

The programme’s stated focus suggests that applicants should have an interest in at least some of its core areas.

These include developing digital capabilities, learning about emerging technologies, exploring entrepreneurial opportunities, receiving professional guidance, and understanding online safety.

Applicants may find it useful to reflect on the skills they want to develop and the challenges they hope the programme will help them address.

For example, one applicant may want to understand how AI tools can support her work, while another may be interested in exploring a technology career or learning how to respond to online harassment. A participant interested in entrepreneurship may want to understand how digital platforms can support a business.

The precise selection criteria and the extent to which applicants must demonstrate these interests have not been confirmed.

6. Availability and Participation Format

The programme announcement identifies online and in-person participation formats. However, it does not explain whether every participant can choose between both formats or whether availability depends on location, activity, or cohort arrangements.

Applicants should check whether they are expected to attend scheduled sessions, participate in individual or group mentorship, complete learning activities, or attend any in-person events.

For online participation, practical considerations may include access to a suitable device, a reliable internet connection, and sufficient time to engage with programme activities. These are general considerations rather than confirmed formal eligibility requirements.

Programme Structure, Duration, Location, and Fees

The Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme combines several areas of development rather than focusing exclusively on technical instruction.

Programme format

The announcement describes the programme as available online and in person. The exact arrangements for each format, including the locations of in-person activities and whether remote participants can access every component, remain unconfirmed.

Programme duration

The programme’s total duration has not been specified in the available information. No confirmed start date, end date, number of training sessions, or weekly time commitment has been provided.

Applicants should consult the application form or an official programme announcement for these details.

Programme fees and financial support

The supplied information does not confirm whether participation is entirely free, whether any registration fee applies, or whether financial support is available for attending in-person activities.

Applicants should verify the fee policy directly before making financial commitments. They should also check whether travel, accommodation, internet access, or other participation-related expenses are covered if applicable.

Certificates and other benefits

The available information does not confirm whether participants receive a certificate, qualification, stipend, internship placement, or employment opportunity upon completion.

Although mentorship and skills development may support professional growth, applicants should not assume that participation guarantees a job, funding, certification, or a particular career outcome.

The primary stated benefits are access to digital skills learning, mentorship, and online safety education.

How to Apply for the Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme 2026

Applicants interested in the Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme should follow the official application instructions and submit their information before the deadline.

The programme announcement identifies an online Women in Tech × UN Women application form. The following steps provide a practical guide to preparing an application; the exact questions, documents, and submission requirements should be taken from the live form.

Step 1: Review the Programme Information

Before applying, read the available programme announcement carefully.

Pay particular attention to the geographic focus, target audience, digital skills training, mentorship opportunities, and online safety component. Confirm that the programme aligns with your interests and that your country and applicant category are eligible.

Step 2: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check the application form for official eligibility requirements relating to:

• Country of residence or nationality.

• Minimum and maximum age, if applicable.

• Educational background.

• Existing digital skills or professional experience.

• Availability for online or in-person participation.

• Any additional conditions specified by the organizers.

If a requirement is unclear, seek clarification from the programme organizers before submitting your application.

Step 3: Identify Your Learning and Career Goals

Consider what you hope to gain from participating.

You may want to develop foundational digital skills, explore artificial intelligence, learn about digital entrepreneurship, receive guidance on entering the technology sector, or improve your understanding of online safety.

Having a clear explanation of your goals can help you answer application questions about your motivation and the relevance of the programme to your development.

Step 4: Complete the Online Application Form

Access the designated application form through the programme’s official application channel.

Read each question carefully and provide complete, truthful answers. If the form asks about your background, interests, current skills, or reasons for applying, use specific examples where appropriate.

Avoid claiming technical experience or qualifications you do not possess. If you are a beginner, explain what you want to learn and why the opportunity is relevant to you.

Step 5: Review Your Application

Before submitting, check that all required fields have been completed and that your contact information is accurate.

If supporting documents are requested, ensure they meet the stated requirements. The information provided does not confirm that a CV, academic transcript, identification document, recommendation letter, or portfolio is mandatory, so applicants should not assume that any particular document is required.

Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline

The stated application deadline is November 20, 2026.

Submit your application well before the deadline to allow time to resolve any technical difficulties or incomplete fields. If the form specifies a closing time or time zone, follow that instruction rather than assuming applications will remain open until midnight in your location.

After submission, retain any confirmation message or reference number provided by the platform. Monitor the email address used in your application for any communication from the organizers.

Important Dates for the 2026 Programme

The most important confirmed date in the supplied announcement is November 20, 2026. Applicants should check the official application form for any updates to the deadline and for details about selection notifications and programme commencement.

Apply for the Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme 2026

The Women in Tech × UN Women Digital Skills and Mentorship Programme 2026 offers a combination of digital skills development, professional mentorship, and online safety education for women and girls. Its focus on digital literacy, artificial intelligence, digital entrepreneurship, and technology-facilitated violence addresses several important aspects of women’s participation in the digital economy.

For aspiring technology professionals, students exploring digital careers, and women interested in entrepreneurship or professional development, the initiative may provide a valuable opportunity to strengthen existing skills, explore new areas of learning, and connect with experienced professionals.

However, prospective applicants should confirm their eligibility, particularly the programme’s geographic restrictions, because the announcement primarily targets women and girls in the Western Balkans. Details such as educational requirements, fees, programme duration, and selection dates should also be verified through the application channel.

Interested applicants should review the available information and complete their applications before the November 20, 2026 deadline, subject to confirmation of the current deadline by the organizers.

 

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