The general purpose of equality work is to promote equality between people and to prevent all discrimination on grounds of gender, age, ethnic origin, religion, conviction, sexual orientation, disability or other such grounds.
Gender equality issues are regulated by EC directives on equality, which are binding member states through national legislation.
Promotion of gender equality and non-discrimination is needed in research and innovation actions in all steps of the processes, i.e. in grant review, decision making, preparation as well as in staff recruitment. This is part of the European Commission Gender Equality Strategy for 2020-2025.
In R&I calls, each project proposal should also include information on how the project will promote equality and non-discrimination within itself or in society at large. Each beneficiary organisation needs to show on its website a gender equality plan that is according to the rules of Commission.
