FRCT hosted a virtual workshop entitled “The Importance of Gender Equality Plans in European R&I Programs Funding”

The Regional Fund of Science and Technology (FRCT) hosted a virtual workshop on September 29 entitled “The Importance of Gender Equality Plans in European R&I Programs Funding” as part of the ATHENA project.

Gender Equality Plans are now required for applicants from public bodies and public or private institutions of higher education or research seeking funding from the Horizon Europe Programme.

As an ATHENA partner and research funding organization, FRCT intended to present the ATHENA project and its main objectives, as well as its Gender Equality Plan as a practical example in order to share challenges, solutions, and best practices encountered during its development.

During the workshop, the gender equality challenges in R&I from Europe to the Azores were discussed, an overview of the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 was presented and some guidelines on how to implement gender equality plans across organisations.

The team of gender experts from the University of the Azores, who scientifically accompany the FRCT in ATHENA, and the Regional Directorate for the Promotion of Equality and Social Inclusion participated in the workshop, bringing the topic closer and fostering a space for dialogue about the difficulties involved in the preparation and implementation of Gender Equality Plans within regional organisations.