“Interest doesn’t grow in a vacuum.”

Thank you very much for your willingness to share your expertise and time with us. For decades, we have been researching the reasons why women are underrepresented in technology. Simultaneously, we have perpetuated gender stereotypes and biases that associate technology primarily with men, leading to the loss of talent, innovation, and passion. It is difficult to generate interest in something that one is unfamiliar with or hasn’t been included in, which can be evident from the early stages of upbringing, both at home and in schools.

The Mimmit koodaa program and our corporate partnerships aim to break down these existing biases and stereotypes. This is achieved through actionable measures that align with research findings. Some of these measures include:

• Promoting technology as a field that is inclusive and suitable for everyone, rather than portraying it solely as men’s work or boys’ hobbies.
• Presenting technology as a tool and solution to problems and needs, rather than an end in itself.
• Highlighting role models, peers, and ordinary individuals who work in technology and are relatable to our target audience.
• Providing a comprehensive understanding of the diverse opportunities offered by our industry.
• Offering opportunities to experiment, get inspired, and learn.

Your participation in this collaboration aims to provide this community with low-barrier events and various activities that introduce different roles, required skills, and help individuals explore and learn. Through these experiences, enthusiasm is usually sparked, and individuals are encouraged to embrace new opportunities.

How would you like your company to be perceived?

Through the collaboration with Mimmit koodaa, the significance of technology is primarily portrayed as a tool rather than an exclusive focus. All content is designed to reduce barriers, inspire interest in technology, and cultivate an understanding that each person is or will be involved in software development in some capacity.

The challenge has been the lack of knowledge about how software is developed and the media’s portrayal of the typical IT professional, which our target audience cannot relate to. As a solution, we offer, together with your company, a concrete opportunity to try new things and learn!

What kind of expertise would you like to share?

Many volunteers are motivated by the desire to provide encouragement and expertise that they themselves lacked at some point, or because they have acquired valuable skills and now wish to help others. At the core of this effort is the individual, who, through their own example, can offer a sense of peer support or impart new abilities.

Ideas for content emerge from questions such as, ‘What am I good at? What do I know? What is important to me?’ These answers serve as a starting point for developing webinar and workshop content. Existing content can be repurposed, and events can be repeated multiple times. This approach allows us to build a brand that reflects your company’s work style and values.

All of these efforts will shape the themes that form the foundation of our collaboration and guide the creation of relevant content. We will assist you in formulating the right words, approaches, and connections as ideas evolve. Often, Instagram takeovers, for example, generate numerous ideas regarding the type of content, events, and topics that are worth pursuing!