In 2025, Luxembourg-based organisation WeSTEM+ (Women Excel In STEM) continues to grow and create a path for greater inclusion within the science and technology domains of the Grand Duchy and beyond.
Created in July 2024, after the closure of the US-headquartered non-profit organisation Girls in Tech which had run into financial difficulties, WeSTEM+ was formed by Alexandra Nastase, Patricia Souza and Vasiliki Moschou. The aim of the Luxembourg-based organisation is to support women and other underrepresented groups across all fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) by building a more inclusive community through the fostering of partnerships with local businesses and institutions, running certification programmes and hosting events designed to open up opportunities for its members.
Several events are already set to take place throughout 2025, including “BI Academy”, a twelve-week business intelligence programme designed to be a gateway for non-technical individuals, and “Robotics Rookies: Explore, Create, Innovate!”, a robotics course designed for young girls aged from twelve to eighteen.
Speaking to Chronicle.lu, WeSTEM+ members Alexandra Nastase (Co-founder and Analytics), Patricia Souza (Sponsorship and Events), Vasiliki Moschou (Operations) and Julia Khalyavko (Sponsorship Management) discussed their experiences of the challenges and benefits of operating in Luxembourg.
Chronicle.lu: With the organisation’s mission to provide an ecosystem of support and education for young girls, women and underrepresented groups, what are the challenges you have experienced in assisting and facilitating individuals at different stages of their education and/or careers?
Alexandra Nastase: Supporting others from start to finish is always a challenge, but that’s what makes our work meaningful. Women often tend to focus more on what they lack or what they don’t yet know, rather than recognising their strengths and what they bring to the table. One of our biggest challenges is helping them see and embrace their true value. This is a long-term journey - not just with themselves, but also with society and its biases.
Patricia Souza: Our biggest challenge? Resources. Whether it’s time, funding or human resources, sustaining our rapid growth has been a constant balancing act. [...] WeSTEM+ has expanded significantly, from a two-person organisation to a whole structure with more than 40 volunteers, mentors and sponsors.
Julia Khalyavko: One of our biggest challenges is accessibility, not just financial but also mentorship and networking. Many young girls and underrepresented groups lack role models in STEM, making it harder to envision a career in tech. Retention and confidence-building are also key, as imposter syndrome and stereotypes often hold participants back. For career changers, upskilling can feel overwhelming, so we provide structured, hands-on learning.
Chronicle.lu: Following on from the Girls in Tech initiative, what do you feel the WeSTEM+ spinoff can achieve on its own footing that it would not have necessarily achieved under the previous organisation’s banner?
Patricia Souza: While being part of Girls in Tech provided a great foundation, our scope and impact were inherently limited. The focus was strictly on technology and [was] exclusively for adult women, leaving little room to address the root causes of gender disparities in STEM, which often begin in childhood. With WeSTEM+, we now have the freedom to broaden our reach, both in terms of disciplines and demographics.
Julia Khalyavko: While the transition was certainly a pivotal period, WeSTEM+ builds on Girls in Tech’s foundation but expands beyond gender to include all underrepresented groups in STEM. This broader scope allows us to foster a more inclusive, diverse ecosystem. We also focus on longer-term certification programmes, ensuring tangible career impact rather than just short-term events.
Chronicle.lu: A critical part of WeSTEM+’s ability to operate is its collaboration with the Department of Media, Connectivity and Digital Policy (SMC) and their Innovative Initiatives programme and the Digital Learning Hub. What are your thoughts on Luxembourg’s governmental support schemes and how do these compare, in your experience, to what is offered in other countries?
Alexandra Nastase: What I’ve experienced in Luxembourg is very different from what I saw in other countries. The ministries here feel much closer to the people, genuinely interested in making a positive impact on the community, and more open to pivoting when necessary, all while maintaining a solid structure and fair approach to meet diverse needs. As a co-founder and technical trainer, I’m truly grateful for this approach and the support and recognition we receive for our hard work and desire to help others.
Vasiliki Moschou: Compared to other countries, Luxembourg's approach feels more direct and engaged. In many places, including Greece, where I come from, government support for gender diversity in STEM is still developing. Structured governmental initiatives and widespread awareness remain limited. This makes it more challenging to drive systemic change and ensure that opportunities reach those who need them most. That said, even in Luxembourg, we still have a long way to go. The European Sustainable Development Goals set 2030 as a target for achieving gender equality yet progress remains slow.
Chronicle.lu: WeSTEM+ has garnered a number of large, Luxembourg-based businesses to provide sponsorship to your initiative and events. What have been the challenges in creating and maintaining these partnerships and do you feel that there is a growing appetite for assisting initiatives like WeSTEM+ in Luxembourg?
Alexandra Nastase: Luxembourg is a unique market that expects a lot from its NGOs [non-governmental organisations]. However, it also protects organisations that are genuinely committed and working hard to create better opportunities. It takes a great deal of effort and time to bring sponsors on board, especially when you're new to the market. Our sponsorship team has done an incredible job connecting the dots and bridging one of the most crucial gaps: the financial one.
Vasiliki Moschou: One of the main challenges is that many companies have diversity and inclusion on their agenda but may not always have dedicated resources or a clear framework for supporting grassroots initiatives like WeSTEM+. This means that while there is interest, securing long-term financial support and active engagement, such as mentorship, internships or company visits, requires ongoing effort and strong relationship-building.
Chronicle.lu: Do you feel there are any unique aspects about how Luxembourg’s institutions and businesses operate which has helped WeSTEM+ establish itself in the country
Patricia Souza: A key factor is the openness and curiosity within Luxembourg’s business community. There is a genuine willingness to engage with new initiatives, even when they are still in their early stages. We found that many business leaders were keen to learn about our mission, explore ways to collaborate and actively support projects that align with Luxembourg’s broader push for innovation, digitalisation and inclusivity in STEM.
Julia Khalyavko: Luxembourg’s close-knit business ecosystem and strong public-private collaboration have been key in helping WeSTEM+ establish itself. Unlike larger countries where bureaucracy can slow things down, Luxembourg’s agility allows institutions and businesses to quickly engage and support initiatives like ours. Additionally, companies here often have direct ties to policymakers, making it easier to align with national digital and diversity strategies. The country’s focus on innovation and tech talent development also creates a favourable environment for initiatives like ours, as businesses recognise the need to invest in a diverse, skilled workforce to stay competitive in the digital economy.
Chronicle.lu: Despite advances in representation, what hurdles do you believe still need to be overcome to reduce any disparity in the education and employment pathways for the young girls, women and groups which WeSTEM+ represents?
Alexandra Nastase: There’s still a lot of work to be done before we can truly say that young girls have equal opportunities in education, or that the business world fully embraces women in leadership and technical roles. At the current pace, we might reach 50-50 representation in about 130 years. But I believe change starts with us.
Vasiliki Moschou: A major challenge is access to opportunities. While many companies support diversity, there’s often a gap in translating this into concrete actions such as internships, job placements and career development programmes. Women in STEM frequently struggle to secure their first role, making it essential to create structured pathways between education and employment. Additionally, workplace biases still affect hiring, retention and career progression, highlighting the need for inclusive policies like flexible working conditions and unbiased recruitment.
Chronicle.lu: As WeSTEM+ continues to grow in Luxembourg, what are the organisation’s targets for the future?
Alexandra Nastase: Our commitment to the community is at the heart of everything we do, and no matter what our goals are, that will always remain the same. When it comes to growth, we’re focused on strengthening our current partnerships and sponsorships, while also building new ones.
Julia Khalyavko: As WeSTEM+ grows, our key targets include expanding educational programmes across all age groups and skill levels, from early STEM exposure for kids to career transition programmes for professionals. We aim to launch more specialised certifications, ensuring participants gain industry-relevant skills that lead to real job opportunities. To achieve this, we need increased sponsorships and funding to provide more scholarships, resources and mentorship opportunities.
Further information on WeSTEM+ can be found at: https://we-stem.org/
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