I never thought I’d leave home as an established professional to pursue a Master’s in Energy for Smart Cities under the InnoEnergy Masters+. Not with three children waving at me, their little minds full of questions I couldn’t answer. Not with a career I had built, a home I had nurtured, a life that felt both stable and familiar. But sometimes, we move not just for ourselves—but for a future that isn’t here yet.

The decision to return to school was not one I made lightly. The weight of responsibility to my family, the fear of breaking away from the life I had known, of disrupting routines built over the years, and the daunting prospect of navigating studies alongside younger students who may not share my journey—it was all overwhelming. The thought of funding expenses for education abroad while maintaining a household back home required meticulous planning and a supportive community to step in. But I knew that disruption breeds growth, and sometimes, you have to dare to step into the unknown.

InnoEnergy Masters+ handed me the most extraordinary gift: a participation fee scholarship for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It was a chance to reimagine my potential, challenge the limits I once thought immovable, and step boldly into a future where I am not just a mother or a mid-level professional but a changemaker. My family and friends fundraised for me in an extraordinary way to support my journey. It took a village for me to be here.

Pursuing studies across three European countries at esteemed institutions, I have had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders for valuable career mentorship.

For years, my work in Building Design, Construction, and Facilities Management had been fulfilling, but deep down, I knew the world was shifting. The call for sustainability and clean energy wasn’t just a distant buzz—it was urgent, and I wanted to be part of the revolution. But how? Where do you begin when your life is already set in motion?

That’s when I discovered EIT InnoEnergy Masters+. One click on the website of KTH Royal Institute of Technology, one moment of curiosity, and suddenly, I was introduced to an ecosystem where innovation meets purpose. A place where professionals, industry leaders, academia, and visionaries converge—not just to dream of a better future but to actively build it. It was unlike anything I had ever encountered.

Was I scared? Absolutely. Halfway into the Masters, walking into a room of brilliant, sharp-minded young peers, I often wondered if they saw me—if they understood the weight of my decision and the sacrifice it took to be here. But every hesitation was met with an even greater realisation: I belonged. Because innovation doesn’t ask for permission, and neither should we.

Every lecture, every workshop, every late-night brainstorming session at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, UnternehmerTUM in Munich, and industry visits to Stockholm Exergi, the Waste-to-Energy Plant at Uppsala, and the Stockholm Royal Seaport became chapters in my transformation. I am learning to think differently, to challenge traditional pathways, and to embrace entrepreneurship as a mindset rather than a destination. And through it all, I am discovering the power of community.

Some nights, doubt creeps in. Did I make a mistake? Should I have stayed back for bedtime stories, birthdays, scraped knees, and school projects? But then, I remember: I came here so my children could have something better. I came here so their mother could be more than just a mother. I came here to rewrite not only my own story but theirs as well.

To the men and women standing at the crossroads of change, gripped by fear and uncertainty—to those who feel the weight of responsibility and the fear of stepping into the unknown—know this: growth lies beyond comfort. It is frightening to upend everything, to sacrifice financial stability for education, to leave behind familiar faces and places for an uncertain future. But that is exactly where transformation begins. The world is evolving, and we must evolve with it.

InnoEnergy Masters+ is not just an educational programme. It is a launchpad for those who dare. It is a beacon for those ready to contribute to a smarter, more sustainable world. It is a call to action for those willing to be more, do more, and create more.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late, whether you’re too settled, or whether you can afford to dream bigger—let me tell you: the answer is YES. You can. And there is a place for you in this revolution.

By joining the InnoEnergy Masters+, I have taken a decisive step toward reshaping my future and being part of the ecosystem that is redefining the urban energy landscape. With InnoEnergy’s support, I am embracing the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to innovate solutions and redefine the future of energy for cities worldwide, in the wake of Climate and Smart City transitions.

Dare to step forward. Disrupt. Innovate. Be part of the change. Apply to the InnoEnergy Masters+ because the future isn’t waiting, and neither should you.

This blog is written by Caroline Namutosi, Energy for Smart Cities (EFSC) Masters+ student