Advancing Gender Equality in Research & Innovation: The Need for Stronger GEP Implementation
The European Commission’s report, Impact of Gender Equality Plans across the European Research Area, provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving policy landscape surrounding Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) in research and innovation (R&I). The study examines the impact of EU and national policies on the development and implementation of GEPs. The report also evaluates their influence on gender equality in ERA.
The introduction of GEPs as a mandatory requirement for receiving Horizon Europe funding marked a significant milestone in advancing gender equality in research-performing organisations and higher education institutions across the European Research Area. This shift from recommendation to obligation has driven considerable institutional changes, encouraging organisations to adopt structured gender policies.
The report highlights how these policies have legitimised efforts to address gender disparities in R&I, ensuring that gender equality is treated as a priority. The requirement has also had a wider effect: institutions outside the Horizon Europe framework adopted GEPs voluntarily.
Challenges in GEP implementation
Despite these advances, significant challenges remain. The study underscores several persistent barriers to the effective implementation of GEPs, including:
- Insufficient resources, including dedicated staff, technical support, time and funding
- Limited support faced by higher education institutions and research-performing organisations, which is often based on unfamiliarity with the issue of gender inequality,
- A lack of robust, systematically collected data that take into account intersectional aspects, which undermines the ability of institutions to fully understand their needs and monitor progress towards achieving gender equality.
Moreover, broader societal factors, such as gender stereotypes and labor market inequalities, continue to influence how gender equality initiatives are perceived and implemented within research institutions.
A number of policy actions can be taken at the EU, national or institutional levels to support the widespread implementation of GEPs in the R&I system. In addition to EU- and national-level policy actions that support the implementation of effective, inclusive and ambitious GEPs, there are influential success factors at the institutional level, such as introducing evidence-based approaches and embedding gender equality principles in policies across institutions.
The development of both internal and external networks has also been noted as a highly useful resource for organisations, as there are opportunities for sharing best practices and seeking advice on common challenges. A visible commitment from upper management can support the implementation of GEPs, particularly in contexts in which there are cultural barriers or less advanced national policy frameworks on gender equality principles.
The way forward
While the Horizon Europe eligibility criterion for GEPs has set a strong foundation, there is still work to be done to ensure sustained progress. The European Commission’s report serves as a critical reminder that policies alone are not enough—consistent implementation, dedicated resources, and a commitment to structural change are essential for making R&I truly inclusive.
By reinforcing support for GEPs at all levels, the European R&I landscape can continue its journey toward a more equitable and innovative future.
You can find the full report by EC on this link.
For a further exploration of these issues, a complementary document presents seven policy briefs that build on the findings of the main report. These policy briefs examine the role of national and EU policies, the monitoring and evaluation of the GEP eligibility criterion in Horizon Europe, and the progress made towards inclusive GEPs and policies. They also address counteracting gender-based violence in R&I, intersectional approaches to gender equality, and the role of organisational structure and leadership in GEP development and implementation. You can find it on this link.