Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AGRIGEP (Assessment and implementation of Agriculture and Life Science Universities’ first Gender Equality Plans in widening countries)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-01-01 al 2025-12-31
During Years 2–3 of AGRIGEP, the project shifted its focus to strengthening GEP implementation, assessing sustainability and embedding Gender Equality Plans into institutional structures at partner universities.
Partner institutions systematically implemented their first GEPs and applied a dedicated self-monitoring tool to track outputs, outcomes and long-term sustainability, providing a foundation for continued institutional monitoring beyond the project. Sustainability was assessed through two structured assessment rounds (late 2024 and mid-2025) using the Gender Equality Plan Capacity Assessment Model, evaluating progress in leadership commitment, governance, data systems, resources, transparency and organisational culture.
Capacity-building activities—including workshops, mutual learning sessions, webinars and bilateral consultations—supported partners in addressing resistance to change, engaging stakeholders and strengthening internal gender equality expertise. Institutional governance and support structures were reinforced or newly established, such as gender equality officers, equality committees, focal point networks and improved procedures related to recruitment, career progression, work–life balance and well-being.
Data collection and accountability were strengthened through improved sex-disaggregated and, where feasible, intersectional data systems, supporting evidence-based decision-making. Gender equality objectives were increasingly integrated into core institutional strategies (e.g. HR, quality assurance, wellbeing), complemented by tailored sustainability roadmaps. In parallel, multilingual training materials were developed to support the integration of gender equality into research and teaching.
Overall, Years 2–3 consolidated the transition from project-based GEP actions to sustainable institutionalisation, significantly strengthening partners’ capacity to maintain gender equality reforms beyond the project’s lifetime.
Partner institutions systematically implemented their first GEPs and applied a dedicated self-monitoring tool to track outputs, outcomes and long-term sustainability, providing a foundation for continued institutional monitoring beyond the project. Sustainability was assessed through two structured assessment rounds (late 2024 and mid-2025) using the Gender Equality Plan Capacity Assessment Model, evaluating progress in leadership commitment, governance, data systems, resources, transparency and organisational culture.
Capacity-building activities—including workshops, mutual learning sessions, webinars and bilateral consultations—supported partners in addressing resistance to change, engaging stakeholders and strengthening internal gender equality expertise. Institutional governance and support structures were reinforced or newly established, such as gender equality officers, equality committees, focal point networks and improved procedures related to recruitment, career progression, work–life balance and well-being.
Data collection and accountability were strengthened through improved sex-disaggregated and, where feasible, intersectional data systems, supporting evidence-based decision-making. Gender equality objectives were increasingly integrated into core institutional strategies (e.g. HR, quality assurance, wellbeing), complemented by tailored sustainability roadmaps. In parallel, multilingual training materials were developed to support the integration of gender equality into research and teaching.
Overall, Years 2–3 consolidated the transition from project-based GEP actions to sustainable institutionalisation, significantly strengthening partners’ capacity to maintain gender equality reforms beyond the project’s lifetime.
During the implementation period, the project focused on strengthening and sustaining the implementation of Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) at widening-partner agriculture and life sciences (ALS) higher education institutions (HEIs), using established analytical frameworks to support long-term institutional change. Core activities included repeated self-assessments using validated tools to analyse progress across key impact drivers, including leadership commitment, governance, data systems, resources, transparency, and organisational culture.
Based on these assessments, targeted support, training and mentoring were provided to refine existing measures and develop second-generation GEPs (GEP2.0) shifting from isolated actions to structural and procedural change. Gender equality objectives were increasingly embedded in institutional strategies, HR procedures, governance frameworks and quality assurance processes. Institutional data systems were strengthened through improved sex-disaggregated and, where feasible, intersectional data collection, reinforcing evidence-based decision-making. Capacity-building activities, including workshops, mutual learning and bilateral consultations, enhanced partners’ ability to address inequalities, manage resistance and design sustainable interventions. Sector- and institution-specific training materials were developed in English and translated into national languages and made openly available across the CEE region. A comparative sustainability analysis identified institution-specific strengths and risks, resulting in tailored recommendations and roadmaps to support long-term institutionalisation beyond the project. By the end of the AGRIGEP project, partners achieved strengthened capacity to design, implement and sustain GEPs through GEP2.0 development; operational monitoring frameworks; improved evidence-based governance; deeper institutional anchoring of gender equality; increased readiness for long-term structural change; and accessible training materials supporting GE integration in research and education.
Based on these assessments, targeted support, training and mentoring were provided to refine existing measures and develop second-generation GEPs (GEP2.0) shifting from isolated actions to structural and procedural change. Gender equality objectives were increasingly embedded in institutional strategies, HR procedures, governance frameworks and quality assurance processes. Institutional data systems were strengthened through improved sex-disaggregated and, where feasible, intersectional data collection, reinforcing evidence-based decision-making. Capacity-building activities, including workshops, mutual learning and bilateral consultations, enhanced partners’ ability to address inequalities, manage resistance and design sustainable interventions. Sector- and institution-specific training materials were developed in English and translated into national languages and made openly available across the CEE region. A comparative sustainability analysis identified institution-specific strengths and risks, resulting in tailored recommendations and roadmaps to support long-term institutionalisation beyond the project. By the end of the AGRIGEP project, partners achieved strengthened capacity to design, implement and sustain GEPs through GEP2.0 development; operational monitoring frameworks; improved evidence-based governance; deeper institutional anchoring of gender equality; increased readiness for long-term structural change; and accessible training materials supporting GE integration in research and education.
In the medium to long term, the project results are expected to support sustainable structural change towards more inclusive research and higher education environments, improve the quality and fairness of research careers in agriculture and life sciences, reduce gender inequalities in leadership, career progression and organisational culture, and strengthen alignment with European Research Area (ERA) objectives and Horizon Europe requirements, particularly in widening countries.
By the end of the project, AGRIGEP delivered validated tools for GEP assessment and sustainability analysis at widening institution partners, strengthened institutional governance frameworks for gender equality, improved gender-sensitive data systems and evidence-based policy capacity, and enhanced organisational readiness for long-term structural change. The project also produced agriculture- and life science–focused GEP2.0 models, a comprehensive methodology for developing sector-specific GEPs in widening countries, and training materials supporting gender equality integration in research, education and the prevention of gender-based violence.
By the end of the project, AGRIGEP delivered validated tools for GEP assessment and sustainability analysis at widening institution partners, strengthened institutional governance frameworks for gender equality, improved gender-sensitive data systems and evidence-based policy capacity, and enhanced organisational readiness for long-term structural change. The project also produced agriculture- and life science–focused GEP2.0 models, a comprehensive methodology for developing sector-specific GEPs in widening countries, and training materials supporting gender equality integration in research, education and the prevention of gender-based violence.