Gender Equality Plan (GEP)

The Gender Equality Plan (GEP) of the Enrico Fermi Research Center (CREF) is established in line with the fundamental principles of gender equality enshrined by the European Union (Treaty of Lisbon) and the Europe 2020 Strategy, which aims to build a Europe that guarantees equality, free from gender-based violence, discrimination, and structural inequalities. The adoption of the GEP is an essential requirement for accessing funding under the Horizon Europe program and constitutes a key measure of the European Commission to promote gender equality in research and innovation.

The CREF GEP is conceived as a set of actions aimed at promoting institutional and cultural change, in accordance with the four essential requirements defined by the European Commission: Publicity, Dedicated Resources, Data Collection and Monitoring, and Training.

The plan also addresses the five thematic areas identified by the European Commission as priorities:

• Work-life balance and organizational culture: Through initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive and flexible work culture.
• Gender balance in leadership and decision-making: Promoting a balanced gender representation in leadership roles and decision-making processes.
• Gender equality in recruitment and career progression: Implementing fair and transparent selection and evaluation processes.
• Integration of the gender dimension in research and teaching content: Raising awareness of the gender perspective in research and teaching materials.
• Measures against gender-based violence, including sexual harassment: Defining policies and procedures to prevent and combat all forms of violence and harassment.

In order to further strengthen the commitment to inclusion and organizational well-being, a Single Guarantee Committee (Comitato Unico di Garanzia – CUG) has been established, which will operate in coordination with the GET to enhance their respective activities.

To initiate a structured awareness-raising and training process, CREF has awarded a three-year consultancy contract through a call for tenders to the company Dadaop, represented by Dr. Giorgia Ortu La Barbera, for a total of €6,500. The consultant will be responsible for:

• Providing consultancy for the drafting and implementation of guidelines for gender-sensitive or gender-neutral language in internal and institutional communications.
• Providing consultancy in drafting an anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy.
• Conducting specific training for the GET and the CUG on gender policies.
• Carrying out design and research activities to identify practical organizational solutions.
• Conducting training activities for CREF staff on topics such as gender equality, gender bias and stereotypes, gender representation in scientific disciplines, and inclusive language (at least 3 meetings for a total of 6 hours).
• Acting as a confidential advisor (Consigliera di fiducia), following the definition of a specific policy.
• measures against gender-based violence, including sexual harassment.

Budget:

For the drafting and implementation of the GEP, CREF has established a Gender Equality Team (GET), composed of employees with specific skills and sensitivity on the topic. Following the adoption of the GEP Plan 2022-2024, €13,000 has been allocated for its implementation, with resources renewable for the subsequent three-year period.

Personnel involved in the GEP appointed with Decree No. 48/2023 of March 15, 2023, the GET (Gender Equality Team):

• Dr. Anna Lo Piano, Technologist and coordinator of the working group; 5%
• Dr. Miriam Focaccia, Senior Researcher; 5%
• Dr. Dario Mazzilli, Researcher; 5%
• Dr. Aurelio Patelli, Researcher; 5%
• Dr. Marta Pepe, Administration Officer; 5%
• Dr. Angelica Sbardella, Researcher; 5%
• Dr. Jacopo Signorini, Administration Officer; 5%

Documents

• Gender Equality Team Permanent Working Group for – Gender Equality Plan (GEP)
• Resolution to Approve the Gender Equality Plan (GEP)
• GEP – Gender Equality Plan 2025-2027
• GEP- Gender Equality Plan 2022-2024
• GEP- Gender Equality Plan – update december 2023