Supported by the European Union, Global Gateway, German Cooperation and GIZ, with WePOWER, the World Bank and Devtale Partners Shoktikonna logo

About Shoktikonna

We're raising a generation of women who power the green transition.

Since 2022, Shoktikonna has helped young women in Bangladesh step into the energy sector with the skills, confidence and networks to lead. Four cohorts later, it is a community of 175 graduates and more than 200 network members.

Shoktikonna participants, partners and guests on stage at the Green Skills Summit 2025, IAB Center, Dhaka
Green Skills Summit 2025, Dhaka
Rows of personalised Happy Graduation caricature cards for each Shoktikonna graduate
A card for every graduate
A participant raising her hand to ask a question during a live session
Every voice counts
Launched
2022
Cohorts
4
Graduates
175
Network members
200+

Why Shoktikonna, why now

The energy transition is hiring. Women are still under-represented.

South and Southeast Asia are shifting fast toward green energy, backed by commitments such as COP29's pledge to mobilise US$300 billion a year by 2035 for climate action in developing countries. Smart grids and digital technology are opening up new green jobs, yet women remain concentrated in administrative roles.

~20%of the global energy workforce are women
32%of renewable energy jobs are held by women
19%of senior or board roles in renewable energy are held by women

Sources: IEA, World Energy Employment 2025; IRENA, Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective (2025).

That gap is the opportunity. We believe women have a key role in leading the energy transition into the future.

Shoktikonna challenges gender biases in science, technology and energy by building women's skills, confidence, visibility and agency through mentorship, innovation exposure and community.

  1. 01

    Promote an inclusive energy transition agenda, with gender equity at its centre.

  2. 02

    Increase women's participation in technical, policy and leadership roles.

  3. 03

    Bring more resources, networks and employment to women entering the sector.

What the name means

Shokti energy Konna daughter

A popular TV series in this region, Shaktimaan, reinforced the idea that only a man can do extraordinary work. For decades, that stereotype has put barriers in front of women trying to access skills, jobs and ambitions in energy careers.

Shoktikonna turns the story around. Our heroine, cape flying and fist raised in front of the sun, stands for every young woman ready to lead the green transition.

  • 5Gender equality
  • 7Clean energy
  • 10Reduced inequalities
  • 13Climate action
The Shoktikonna heroine logo

Our journey

From one cohort to a movement

  1. 2022

    The first cohort

    Shoktikonna launches with World Bank support. In November, four Shoktikonnas join the 3rd WePOWER Regional Conference in Bangkok.

  2. 2023

    The second cohort

    More than 500 women from across Bangladesh apply for a place in the cohort.

  3. 2025

    The third cohort

    The Green Skills Summit connects participants with employers, and the cohort graduates in Dhaka in November.

  4. 2026

    Cohort 4 and beyond

    Shoktikonnas learn at wind farms in Sri Lanka with WePOWER, and applications open for the fourth cohort.

Partners

Made possible together

Four partners bring Shoktikonna to life, each adding its own strength: policy, technical expertise, a regional network and on-the-ground delivery.

  • European Union

    The European Union in Bangladesh supports Shoktikonna through Global Gateway, its strategy for smart, clean and secure investment, as part of its work on women's empowerment, youth participation and the green transition.

  • German Development Cooperation

    Germany's development cooperation with Bangladesh supports the cohort, which is implemented by GIZ Bangladesh through its Energy Cluster.

  • The World Bank

    Has backed Shoktikonna since its first cohort through WePOWER, the network of women professionals in South Asia's energy and power sector, whose partners have completed more than 1,400 gender activities.

  • Devtale Partners

    A research and advisory firm that designs and runs the program, bringing researchers and innovators together to solve social challenges through policy, research and innovation.

Organizing team

The people behind the program

A cross-partner team from the European Union Delegation, GIZ, the World Bank and Devtale Partners guides each cohort.

  • Portrait of Labiba Fairuz Hassan Devtale

    Labiba Fairuz Hassan

    Analytics and Community Lead

    Devtale Partners

  • Portrait of Ananya Rubayat GIZ

    Ananya Rubayat

    Advisor, Communication

    GIZ Bangladesh

  • Portrait of Tanzina Dilshad EU Delegation

    Tanzina Dilshad

    Programme Manager, Energy and Environment

    European Union Delegation in Bangladesh

  • Portrait of Pranav Vaidya World Bank

    Pranav Vaidya

    Social Specialist, Energy and Social Sustainability

    The World Bank

  • Portrait of Tamara-E-Tabassum GIZ

    Tamara-E-Tabassum

    Project Manager

    GIZ

Private sector partners

Companies opening doors for Shoktikonnas

Our industry partners host interns, welcome cohorts on site visits, join the Green Jobs Summit and hire graduates. Together, they turn learning into careers.

  • Energypac Engineering
  • Engineering Resources International
  • Flow Water
  • Grameen Shakti
  • Solarland
  • SOLshare
  • Omera Solar
  • Raach Solar
  • Rahimafrooz Solar
  • Solar EPC Development
  • Super Star Solar
  • Solaric
  • Urmi Group
  • B-Trac Engineering
  • Bright Green Energy FoundationBright Green Energy Foundation
  • Crown Micro Global Bangladesh
  • Cynergy
  • Dana Group

Become a private sector partner

Host an intern, open your site for a visit, sponsor the Solve-A-Thon or meet future talent at the Green Jobs Summit.

Partner with us
The fine print Terms and conditions 10 things you agree to when you apply · 2-minute read

By submitting the application form, you agree to the following. We've kept them short and plain.

  1. 01

    Only eligible candidates are considered in the review process.

  2. 02

    All information in the application must be true and complete. If any false information is found, the application is cancelled immediately.

  3. 03

    Essays and video responses must be your own work. Applications written entirely with AI tools may not be considered.

  4. 04

    If selected, you agree to take part in every component of the program: online courses, live classes, the bootcamp, the Solve-A-Thon and other cohort activities.

  5. 05

    Graduation depends on completing the full curriculum and submitting modules and assignments on time.

  6. 06

    You commit to contributing to the program's goals: an inclusive energy transition and more women in the green workforce.

  7. 07

    By applying, you allow Shoktikonna to store, process and use your data to communicate with you and to review your application. In relevant cases, data may be shared, in part or in full, with stakeholders and partners.

  8. 08

    By taking part, you allow Shoktikonna to photograph and film you during program activities and to use these photos and videos internally and publicly.

  9. 09

    International learning and networking opportunities depend on available funding and necessary approvals.

  10. 10

    Shoktikonna may update the program format, schedule or these terms where needed, and will tell participants about significant changes.

Your privacy matters. We collect only what we need to run the program, never sell personal data and never publish your contact details.

Read the privacy policy