From AREA and World Refrigeration Day:
8th May 2026 — The European refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) sector is once again spotlighting its future leaders as the European Rising Stars – Women & Youth in Cooling Video Competition enters its final judging phase.
Now in its fourth edition, the competition—organised by the AREA in cooperation with World Refrigeration Day—has become a recognised platform for celebrating technical excellence, diversity, and the next generation of talent across Europe’s cooling sector.
A European showcase of emerging talent
This year, seven finalists from France, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom have been selected across two categories:
- Category A – Youth Best Practice (under 25)
- Category B – Women in Cooling Excellence
Their submissions reflect the reality of modern cooling—where skill, judgement, and experience come together in real-world situations to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable systems.
International judging panel
An international panel of experts is now evaluating the finalists, bringing together:
- The AREA Board of Directors
- AREA Working Group Human Capital and Task Force Skills
- AREA representatives within the International Network for Women in Cooling (INWIC)
- The World Refrigeration Day Secretariat
Winners will be announced at the AREA General Assembly Dinner in Madrid on 21 May 2026.
Promoting inclusion across borders
A distinctive feature of the competition is its commitment to true inclusiveness across Europe.
Participants are encouraged to present their work in their native language, with judges instructed not to penalise linguistic differences. Automatic subtitle translation tools are used to ensure accessibility—recognising that skill and understanding go far beyond language.
Real skills, shared across the sector
The competition highlights the practical expertise that underpins the sector’s contribution to the green transition, including:
- Installation and commissioning
- Leak testing and refrigerant recovery
- Brazing and troubleshooting
- Energy efficiency best practices
- RACHP system design and innovation
This is where it comes to life. These are everyday decisions—getting systems right, solving problems properly, and adapting to real conditions on site. Through this competition, those skills are made visible.
At the same time, it reflects something broader. Across Europe, AREA members are actively involved in training, judging, mentoring, and promoting the next generation—working together to raise standards, support diversity, and strengthen the future workforce. In that sense, the competition is a simple but powerful example of “Cool Intelligence” in action—not just in how systems are designed and delivered, but in how the sector comes together to share knowledge, develop people, and move forward.
A platform for role models
Marco Buoni, Past President of AREA with responsibility for International Affairs, highlighted “The European Rising Stars competition has grown far beyond a contest. It is a platform that brings visibility to the outstanding work carried out every day by women and young professionals in our sector. These participants are not only highly skilled—they are role models and ambassadors for best practice, safety, and energy efficiency across Europe.”
Building the future workforce
Since its launch, the competition has gained increasing international recognition, helping to address one of the sector’s key challenges: attracting, developing, and retaining skilled talent.
By highlighting real achievements and creating space for new voices, the initiative supports a more inclusive and capable workforce—ready to meet the growing demand for sustainable cooling
More information and previous competition entries: https://area-eur.be/competitions
Media enquiries:
Marco Buoni – buoni@centrogalileo.it