HemaFAIR, in collaboration with the HELIOS (COST Action) network, has contributed to the public consultation launched by the European Commission on the forthcoming Action Plan for Women in Research, Innovation and Startups, providing input on a key priority for the future of the European Research Area (ERA).
The initiative aimed to address persistent gender gaps and inequalities and to make Europe “the most attractive place in the world for women in research and innovation by 2030,” by promoting inclusion, diversity and sustainable competitiveness. In this context, the consultation, concluded in February 2026, represented a strategic opportunity to gather evidence on existing barriers and emerging opportunities, ranging from women’s participation in scientific careers to access to funding for innovative startups, as well as working conditions and career progression.
The discussion highlighted ongoing challenges, such as the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions and STEM careers. It also emphasised the importance of intersectional approaches and Gender Equality Plans as key drivers of structural change.
Within this framework, HemaFAIR and HELIOS networks have actively supported awareness-raising and capacity-building activities. Through their contribution, led by Fondazione Gianni Benzi, HemaFAIR and HELIOS emphasized the need for stronger, data-driven and integrated policies capable of tackling structural inequalities, as well as issues such as bias in evaluation processes, lack of representation, and gender-based violence in research environments. In line with EU priorities, the key message is that gender equality is not only a matter of fairness, but also a crucial factor for the quality, impact and sustainability of research and innovation.
The active engagement of European projects and networks such as HemaFAIR and HELIOS confirms the essential role of the research community in co-creating more inclusive policies, contributing to the development of an ecosystem that fully values all talents. This experience also demonstrates how the integration of inclusion principles, supported by governance, training, and monitoring, can lead to tangible improvements in participation and research outcomes.
The full contribution is available here.