Centre of excellence on inclusive gender equality in Research & Innovation

As having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) in place is becoming an eligibility criterion for legal entities applying to Horizon Europe, and, as the new European Research Area Communication of 30 September 2020 is foreseeing stronger measures to promote inclusive gender equality plans, there is a strong need for expert policy and knowledge support for inclusive GEP implementation, in research and innovation (R&I) organisations (including research funding and performing organisations, incl. companies and SMEs) across EU Member States. In order to adapt to different national and local situations, and help foster effective transformation in countries and institutions less advanced in the field of gender equality in R&I, a first European centre of excellence on inclusive gender equality in R&I will be created.

Building on projects and actions supported through Horizon 2020, including projects ACT, GE Academy, GENDERACTION, and the pilot European knowledge and support facility for fostering institutional change through gender equality plans funded under the SwafS work programme 2020, as well as on initiatives developed by existing national or regional centres of excellence and knowledge centres on gender equality in R&I in Europe, and by European R&I stakeholder umbrella organisations, proposals are expected to cover the following:

• Establish a sustainable European Centre of Excellence and think tank to advance and disseminate knowledge on inclusive gender equality policies in R&I, addressing three levels of inclusiveness, i.e.: the intersectional level, considering intersecting social categories such as ethnicity (including migration and refugees), disability, sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTIQ issues) or else social origin; the sectorial level, to better address innovation and the private sector; and geographical inclusiveness. This Centre could work as a single entity or as core centre and network of hubs in different Member States, and should involve experts from different Member States, including widening countries.
• Provide expertise and support to Member States, R&I organisations, and the European Commission, in the design, implementation and assessment of institutional change through inclusive gender equality plans, including through the design and delivery of tailored training activities on inclusive gender equality in R&I, and the development of an enhanced Community of Practice on gender equality and diversity in R&I organisations, including R&I performing and funding organisations.
• Provide expert support for the collection of pan-European data on gender equality in R&I and the development of new indicators, including on intersectionality. Collected data should cover also information on the uptake and implementation of gender equality plans in EU Member States and Associated countries, and contribute to the She Figures[[https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/she-figures-2018_en]] publication.