Vienna, Austria, 21 April 2026 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) announced that its Learning and Knowledge Development Facility (LKDF), in partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, has been awarded the 4th UNIDO Gender Equality Mobilization (GEM) Award in the External category. The award recognizes the partnership’s strong contribution to women’s empowerment and its tangible results in advancing gender equality in traditionally male-dominated industrial sectors. 

The recognition highlights the growing importance of inclusive industrial skills development in addressing persistent gender gaps in the workforce. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in technical and vocational education and training, particularly in sectors such as construction, transportation and heavy industry. Structural barriers—including limited access to training, social norms and hiring discrimination—continue to restrict women’s participation in these fields. 

Through its Public-Private Development Partnerships (PPDPs), LKDF has worked to address these challenges by integrating gender-responsive approaches into industrial training systems. In collaboration with Sida and a broad network of private, public, and development partners, vocational training programmes have been adapted to create inclusive learning environments where men and women can gain the skills to find job opportunities and to help support more sustainable supply chains. These efforts range from revising curricula and training instructors to improving facilities and strengthening engagement with employers and communities. 

This approach has led to measurable results across countries and sectors.  

In Ethiopia, HDECoVA (a partnership between Sweden, the Volvo Group and UNIDO in heavy duty and industrial vehicles training), average female enrolment rate was 17.3%, surpassing Swedish rate of 14% And the MISALE Training Academy (a partnership between Sweden, the Volvo Group and UNIDO in commercial driving training) trained 358 female bus drivers which resulted in incomes increased by 50%, on average. 

In Morocco, H2O Maghreb (a partnership between USAID, the National Office for Water and Electricity (ONEE), Festo Didactic, Eon Reality and UNIDO in water management and sanitation training) resulted in 75% female graduates, 45% of whom now earn a higher salary. 

In Zambia, ZAMITA (a partnership between Sweden, the Volvo Group and UNIDO in heavy duty machinery and transportation training), saw an 13% increase in female participation, in part due to inclusive practices like the “All Female Class” initiative. 

Beyond these outcomes, the partnership is contributing to broader shifts in perceptions around women’s roles in industry. Women trained through LKDF-supported programmes are entering professions where they have historically been underrepresented, becoming trainers, mentors and role models in their communities, and demonstrating the value of inclusive skills development for sustainable industrial growth. 

The GEM Award underscores the importance of partnerships in advancing gender equality and inclusive industrial development. By bringing together public institutions, private sector actors and development partners, the LKDF–Sida collaboration offers a scalable model for addressing skills gaps while promoting equitable access to economic opportunities. 

This recognition forms part of UNIDO’s broader efforts to promote women’s participation in industry, including its Global Observance of the International Day of Women in Industry. 

As industries continue to evolve, ensuring equal access to skills and opportunities for women will remain essential to building resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies. 

For more information, please contact LKD-Facility@unido.org or visit lkdfacility.org