We are excited to announce the conclusion of the recruitment for the 4th edition of "Girls in the Game!" (“Dziewczyny w grze!”), our scholarship and mentoring program designed to empower young women and prepare them for careers in the video game industry. This unique initiative, created in collaboration with CD PROJEKT RED, the largest video game studio in Poland, has already become a landmark program in the Polish gaming landscape.
"Girls in the Game!" was launched to address the underrepresentation of women in gamedev, an industry that has long been stereotyped as a male-dominated field. Despite the fact that 47% of gamers in Poland are women (around 8 million), only 20% of gamedev professionals in Poland are female. This program aims to challenge these statistics and encourage high school girls, particularly from small towns, to pursue their passions for gaming and technology.
The program offers participants a year-long scholarship of 12,000 PLN, which can be used to cover educational expenses, personal development, and necessary equipment. Beyond the financial support, participants engage in a series of workshops and lectures on topics such as programming, storytelling, graphic design, 3D animation, quest design, cinematic design, and more. Each participant is paired with a mentor from CD PROJEKT RED, who guides them through practical aspects of the gaming industry and helps them develop skills tailored to their career aspirations. The program fosters a supportive community where participants can collaborate, share ideas, and build connections that last beyond the program’s duration.
The Impact So Far
Since its inception, the program has attracted immense interest. Over the past three editions, more than 3,500 applications have been submitted, leading to the selection of over 40 talented participants. Many alumni have pursued further studies in gamedev-related fields or have started their professional careers in the industry. The program has also become a platform for alumni to continue growing through initiatives like workshops at the Women in Tech Summit and other specialized training sessions.
"Girls in the Game!" is part of a broader effort to address gender disparities in STEM fields and technology industries. Dr. Bianka Siwińska, CEO of the Perspektywy Educational Foundation, emphasizes the transformative power of such initiatives: “We strongly believe in girls and their power to change the world. In the ‘Girls in the Game!’ program, we encourage them to spread their wings in an extremely exciting area – gaming. It is one of the fastest-developing industries and a showcase of Poland in the world. It’s time for the women’s voice to be heard strongly within it. This program is like the warrior princess Ciri from The Witcher. Together, we will fight to make the girls really in the game!”
Agnieszka Szamałek-Michalska, Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion Director at CD PROJEKT RED, highlights the program’s broader impact: “After three years since the program’s inauguration, we proudly observe the growing community of young women interested in gamedev. It is wonderful to see participants and alumni getting to know each other, creating a support network, and even forming friendships. 100% of our alumni express a desire to work in the gamedev industry. I believe their paths will cross professionally, and the connections they build now will help them create amazing projects in the future.”
Reflections from Alumni
The program’s impact is best captured by the experiences of its participants:
“The program is like a witcher’s journey on the path – full of inspiration, unforgettable experiences, and challenges that teach perseverance and courage. This year was my ‘Swallow’ that strengthened my skills and gave me what is most important in life – faith in myself!” (Anna Dyrcz, alumni of the 2nd edition of the program "Girls in the Game!")
“Becoming a laureate showed me that I can achieve something not only within the four walls of my home but also in the big world. I met so many exceptional and experienced people who helped me acquire knowledge, skills, and clarity about my interests and plans for the future.” (Beata Orlińska, alumni of the 2nd edition of the program "Girls in the Game!")
“The year under the guidance of a mentor was much more productive than years of self-study. What’s best is that ‘Girls in the Game!’ doesn’t end after a year. We continue to build a warm, friendly community and work on joint projects even after the finale.” (Zuzanna Kluczek, alumni of the 2nd edition of the program "Girls in the Game!")
“I met passionate individuals who shared their knowledge and experiences. Thanks to the program, I found my place in gamedev and believed that I could succeed too!” (Martyna Plutowska, alumni of the 2nd edition of the program "Girls in the Game!")
“Together with my mentor, we deconstructed games into their elements, which allowed me to see them from a developer’s perspective rather than just a player’s. I developed skills in programming and level design, which I now use daily as a Unity Developer.” (Martyna Cichosz, alumni of the 1st edition of the program "Girls in the Game!")
As we celebrate the start of this new chapter with the 4th edition’s cohort, we look forward to seeing how these young women will transform their talents into groundbreaking achievements in gamedev. Their journey is just beginning, and the possibilities are endless.
