Results of the gender equality plans pilot compliance check

Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) in place, which meets the requirements set out in Annex B of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme, is an eligibility criterion for participation in Horizon Europe calls (with deadlines after 2022) for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions.

An ineligible organisation cannot participate in project implementation. If an organisation loses its eligibility during the project implementation, this may lead to the termination of its grant agreement(s), and the related costs may be considered ineligible as of the date eligibility was lost.

Pilot GEP checks

According to information from the European Commission, the first checks of GEPs have already started. The Commission recently completed pilot checks on a sample of 30 organisations from 18 EU Member States and associated countries of Horizon Europe. 17 organisations were considered non-compliant. Based on these findings, the European Commission concluded that it is necessary to clarify the GEP requirements and to continue supporting their implementation across organisations. On the part of the organisations, the implementation of GEPs needs to be improved.

Regular checks will be carried out using an improved methodology.

Detailed results of the pilot checks (including useful links and examples of requested documentation) are available in the European Commission's presentation.