Gender Equality as a Cross-Cutting Priority of EU Funding in 2022

• Be published on the organization’s website

• Be signed by the senior leadership of the organization

• Be actively disseminated within the organization

• Be accompanied by dedicated resources for its implementation

• Include data collection and metrics on the gender make-up of the organization’s personnel

• Include training on unconscious gender bias and on gender equity for the whole organization or institution

In addition to the above requirements, the GEP also should address the following content recommendations:

• Promotion of work-life balance and organisational culture

• Gender balance in leadership and decision-making

• Gender equality in recruitment and career progression

• Integration of the gender dimension into research and teaching content

• Measures against gender-based violence

However, a commitment to gender equity is not limited to the Gender Equality Plan. Organizations applying for a Horizon Europe grant also need to consider gender equality in project implementation as well as in the composition of the personnel attached to the project, at all levels.

Other entities such as SMEs and non-profit organizations are exempt from the GEP requirement. At the application stage, organizations do not upload the Gender Equality Plan, but need to provide a self-declaration on its existence and characteristics by compiling an online questionnaire. The declaration must be completed by the LEAR (Legal Entity’s Authorized Representative). The GEP can be in the national language of the applying organization(s).

The Gender Equality Plan is much more than just a document. The European Commission clearly wanted to go beyond symbolic statements and included a number of concrete dimensions to the requirement. For in-depth information about the Gender Equality Plan, tools for developing it as well as examples from universities, public bodies and research entities around the EU who have already adopted it, be sure to check out the EU publication: Horizon Europe guidance on gender equality plans.

As mentioned above, this commitment to gender equality extends beyond Horizon Europe as the European Commission also included objectives related to gender equality in the guidelines for the national recovery plans. These guidelines call on Member States to evaluate how the proposed investments will impact on gender inequality, for example in terms of employment opportunities or the burden of care work. Entities seeking to benefit from EU funding, whether through direct funding programmes or investments at the national level should be prepared to address gender as a key, cross-cutting priority.

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