Research and innovation thrive when diverse perspectives are included. Yet across Europe and beyond, policymakers, research funders and innovation organisations continue to face challenges in translating gender equality commitments into long-term systemic change.
A new European initiative, GENDERACTIONplus2027, aims to address that gap. Running from 2026 to 2028 and funded through Horizon Europe, the project brings together public authorities, research and innovation funders and specialist organisations from across Europe to develop knowledge, tools and working methods that support more inclusive research and innovation systems.
Moving from policy ambition to practical implementation
GENDERACTIONplus2027 builds on the results of an earlier European collaboration and focuses on making gender equality work within research and innovation policy more inclusive, coordinated and easier to monitor.
The project's partners will work together to strengthen cooperation between countries, develop practical approaches to gender mainstreaming, and create mechanisms for tracking progress over time.
At a time when many countries are looking for evidence-based approaches to diversity and inclusion in research and innovation, the initiative provides a platform for collective learning and policy development across borders.
Sweden contributes experience and expertise
Sweden's innovation agency, Vinnova, is leading one of the project's key collaboration groups, a Community of Practice that brings together research and innovation funders from several European countries.
The group will focus on exchanging experiences, building expertise and developing methods and tools that support gender equality and inclusion across funding systems.
Through our role, Vinnova can contribute to shaping future European working methods and recommendations for research and innovation funders. At the same time, we have the opportunity to highlight Swedish experiences and perspectives in the development of the European Research Area, says Sophia Ivarsson, who leads the work on behalf of Vinnova.
The participation also gives Swedish actors access to international networks, emerging knowledge and new approaches that can inform future work within Sweden's research and innovation ecosystem.
Strengthening collaboration across Europe
A central feature of the project is the creation of two European collaboration groups. One brings together national authorities, while the other focuses on research and innovation funders.
Through joint learning and practical testing, participants will develop, refine and evaluate the project's results. The ambition is not only to strengthen coordination between countries but also to create longer-term impact through shared methods and evidence.
The project will work to:
Strengthen networks and coordination between countries
Develop knowledge and methods for inclusive gender equality work
Create tools for gender mainstreaming in research and innovation
Monitor progress and support long-term results
A European partnership
GENDERACTIONplus2027 is coordinated by the Centre for Gender and Science at the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
Project partners include:
Institute of Sociology, Czech Academy of Sciences (Czech Republic)
University of Southern Denmark (Denmark)
Yellow Window (Belgium)
National Information Processing Institute (Poland)
Higher Education Authority (Ireland)
Vinnova, Sweden's innovation agency (Sweden)
JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (Austria)
Institute for Advanced Studies (Austria)
Looking ahead
As countries seek ways to build research and innovation systems that draw on the widest possible range of talent and perspectives, international collaboration is becoming increasingly important. GENDERACTIONplus2027 offers a platform for European partners to learn from one another, test new approaches and contribute to a more inclusive innovation landscape.
For organisations interested in how research funding, innovation policy and gender equality intersect, the project is one example of how cross-border cooperation can help turn shared ambitions into practical action and long-term change.