The new Unit at the "Athena" Research and Innovation Center, Started its operation which will implement the strategies and activities of the "Innovation Centre for Women-GIL4W-". GIL4W(Greek Innovation lab for Women) was created on the initiative of the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, responsible for Demographic Policy and Family Affairs, Maria Syrengela. The aim is to support and promote women's research, innovation and entrepreneurship issues in Greece.

The "Innovation Center for Women" is a partnership of 20 institutions, Ministries, Research Centers, Academic Institutions, Chambers and the private sector. In collaboration with the Ministry of Development and Investments and the Deputy Minister Christos Dimas and under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation, the distinct Unit at the "Athena" Research and Innovation Center has as its mission the support and realization of the objectives and strategies of the partnership nationwide.

Objectives and actions of GIL4W

Through a comprehensive Action Plan, created by all partners of the partnership, will be implemented a series of interventions that will help women in Greece take advantage of the opportunities created by the 4th Industrial Revolution. Among the main actions of the "Innovation Center for Women" will be the strengthening of STEM fields in education. This will give young girls the opportunities to choose professions related to the new highly skilled areas such as Artificial Intelligence or Bio-technology. The aim is also to highlight funding opportunities for innovative Greek women's business plans.

Its operating model will also be based on examples and good practices from countries with a tradition of female innovation and entrepreneurship, such as Norway. To this end, international collaborations have already been secured with bodies such as the ECWT- European Centre for Women and Technology.

Maria Syregela, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Maria Syregela

"Our initiative is taking shape today. The "Innovation Centre for Women-GIL4W" will be fully supported by the new Athena Unit. The aim is to encourage women to engage in disciplines in which men have traditionally been predominant.

We plan actions:

• to address the underrepresentation of women in science,
• to attract more girls to STEM studies,
• to encourage them to pursue and achieve their goals."

As the Deputy Minister said, "we are creating the conditions for equal opportunities in the fields of research and innovation as well".

Christos Dimas, Deputy Minister for Development and Investment, responsible for Research and Technology

"The role of women in research and science has been crucial for centuries. There are notable examples of women pioneering and excelling in many scientific fields. These are the standards we are trying to highlight more and more because they are a source of inspiration for the younger generations. I would like to congratulate the "Athena" Research Center, but also the competent Deputy Minister for her perseverance and initiative to create the new Unit of "Athena", the Innovation Center for Women. Good start."

Professor Ioannis Emiris, president and general manager of ''Athena'' research center

"This initiative is one of the Centre's priorities.. Because it enhances innovation and helps to pass on research results to society and the economy. Our Center focuses on all areas of new information management technologies, computational methods and communication. As in a variety of applications from digital culture and language technologies to bioinformatics and robotics. The specific targeting of the new Unit on female entrepreneurship is a very important choice of the Ministries that support the project, as women have a lot to give in this direction. The Unit we are starting today is a decisive step for the Future!"