Fondazione Gianni Benzi participated in the COST Connect – Gender Equality Plans in COST Actions event, held in Brussels on 13 May 2025. The initiative, organised by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), represented an important opportunity for dialogue among COST Actions members committed to promoting gender equality in research and innovation.

The Foundation was invited to participate in the event due to its responsibility for gender equity and inclusiveness activities in the framework of the COST Action HELIOS, in which it is an active partner. The HELIOS project aims to promote the principles of gender equality and inclusivity, thereby contributing to the development of more equitable, inclusive, and effective scientific research.

The event addressed various aspects related to the planning and implementation of Gender Equality Plans (GEPs), offering practical insights and operational strategies for their enhancement.

The programme also included round table discussions which enabled a fruitful exchange of experiences among participants. The activities carried out, planned and ongoing in relation to the topics of gender equality and inclusiveness in the HELIOS Action were shared during the event and their relevance was recognised by the participants. In particular, the adoption and implementation of a Gender Equality and Inclusiveness Plan for the Action and the creation of a dedicated working group were considered examples of best practice.

This experience confirmed the strong commitment of Fondazione Gianni Benzi to promoting gender equality in research, in line with the European principles of inclusiveness, equity, and responsible innovation.

Discover HELIOS’s GEP here. Fondazione Benzi also has its own GEP, available here.