Motivated by the International Day for Women in Science, Youthopia organized an event on February 9, 2019 at the city of Heraklion, Crete to address the issue of gender equality in Science. Dr Panagiota Fatourou, Chair of the Greek ACM-W Chapter, gave a presentation about our Chapter at the event.

• Prof. Maria Vamvakaki (female), Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, and Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas.
• Dr. (female) Panayiota Poirazi, Research Director, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas.
• Dr. Evangelia Dormousi (female), Marie Curie Researcher, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas.
• Prof. Panagiota Fatourou (female), Department of Computer Science, University of Crete and Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas.
• Prof. Emeritus Eleftherios Economou  (male), Department of Physics, University of Crete, and Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas.

"Youthtopia” is a newly established non-formal youth group of people in the city of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, whose members already have prior experience in the topic of Erasmus+ Projects, youth exchanges and trainings. Youthtopia's aim is the activation of youngsters in the local society and the development of their soft skills through volunteerism, learning by doing, organizing events and participating in youth activities. Through our actions we want to achieve people to grow by taking the initiative in their lives, searching, learning and developing skills applicable not only in a specific field but to every aspect of their life. Through Erasmus+ projects our goal is to enhance international cooperation, broaden the horizons, strengthen the cooperation of organisations with the same visions as well as cultivate friendship among different nations, understanding people’s differences, minimize discrimination, and support people into discovering things about themselves and life and learn through non-formal education.

The members of “Youthtopia” come from different backgrounds, having taken part in multiple Erasmus+ programmes concerning soft-skills, empowering of the youth and have gained valuable skills that have put in action on different occasions. Some of the members have either been team members in Erasmus+ projects (by delivering or engaging in non-formal educating methods), or are part of the organising team who sends people in them and have also written projects.  All of them have organised events to activate the local society in Heraklion mostly concerning the young people of the city such as a scientific treasure hunt, lectures with scientists and a summer camp. More details for some members are described in the following question.