Fostering INCLUsive biomeDicine gEps in research and higher education institutions

Project Information

INCLUDE

Grant agreement ID: 101188452

DOI

10.3030/101188452

EC signature date 26 September 2024

Start date 1 January 2025

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System

Total cost

€ 999 890,00

EU contribution

€ 999 889,75

Coordinated by

SMART VENICE SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INCLUDE (Fostering INCLUsive biomeDicine gEps in research and higher education institutions)

Reporting period: 2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The field of biomedical research and innovation faces distinct challenges, underscoring the need for more inclusive and intersectional gender equality approaches. In response, the EU-funded INCLUDE project advances gender equality and inclusiveness by co-designing, implementing and evaluating innovative Gender Equality Plan (GEP) measures within seven public BioMedical Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) and one private Research and Technology Organization (RTO).

Through intersectional and intersectoral approaches, the project assesses existing GEPs and data collection practices to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. It maps effective practices and strengthens partners’ competencies, which inform the design and testing of 40 inclusive GEP pilot actions, aiming for a sustainale institutional change processes.

INCLUDE delivers a tailored training programme that build institutional capacity and promote knowledge sharing across the biomedical research and innovation sector. Collaborative learning activities such as the thematic hubs, 2 study visits, and a mentoring programme further support institutional learning and collaboration.

To ensure a networking and multiplying effect INCLUDE works with local innovation ecosystems and stakeholder networks, while developing practical resources such as a Toolkit, a Community of Practice and a Manifesto to support the uptake of inclusive and intersectional GEP approaches beyond the project consortium. Together, these actions contribute to sustainable structural change towards research environments that better reflect and serve diverse societies. Ensuring the integration of diverse voices in this sector will have vital repercussions for health and wellbeing in our society.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the reporting period, the INCLUDE project carried out its core analytical, methodological and capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening inclusive and intersectional Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) in biomedical research and higher education institutions (HEI).

The consortium conducted a structured assessment of existing GEPs, institutional data practices and gender- and intersectionality-related inequalities within 8 implementing partner organisations. This work resulted in a shared evidence base on institutional strengths, gaps and needs, as well as a consolidated collection of good practices and tools relevant to inclusive GEP implementation. In parallel, the project developed a common methodological framework to support the operationalisation of intersectionality in research-performing organisations.

Building on these results, INCLUDE activated a participatory co-design process in all implementing institutions. Internal stakeholders and relevant actors were engaged in designing five pilot actions per implementing partner, aimed at improving existing GEP measures and introducing new intersectional approaches. These pilot actions are now being implemented and monitored using a common monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework.

In parallel, the project delivered a comprehensive capacity-building programme, including two train-the-trainers sessions and planned a full programme of 4 thematic mutual learning hubs, 2 study visits and mentoring activities. These actions strengthened institutional competencies, supported knowledge exchange among partners and enabled the multiplication of training and awareness-raising activities within partner organisations.

Overall, the work performed during the first reporting period established the methodological basis, institutional engagement and operational structures necessary for the effective implementation, monitoring and long-term sustainability of inclusive and intersectional GEP measures to be persued in the second reporting period.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

INCLUDE has advanced the state of the art by translating intersectionality into an operational framework for Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) in biomedical research and higher education.

Deliverable D2.1 provided an evidence-based comparative mapping of GEPs and inclusion practices across eight institutions, combining policy analysis with qualitative institutional insights. This approach made visible the structural gaps between formal equality commitments and their everyday implementation within research organisations and improved understanding of gender and intersectional inequalities within partner organisations.

Building on this diagnostic baseline, D2.2 consolidated state-of-the-art knowledge, strategies and tools on intersectionality and potential adaptation to the specific context of biomedical research and innovation (R&I) and higher education (HE).

The methodology elaborated under D2.3 for the co-design of pilot actions represents the first stage in the project where intersectional approach was translated into concrete institutional measures at partner level, following an approach grounded in principles of co-design, inclusiveness, and transparency.

Together, these results provide a transferable methodological foundation for more inclusive institutional change and partner's’ pilot actions implementation, linking intersectional analysis with concrete organisational practices.

The broader uptake will rely on actions implementation monitoring and evaluation, sustained institutional commitment and mutual learning programme continuation. This work will continue under the Community of Practice, and the INCLUDE Manifesto and Toolkit.