Relevance and Limitations of Funding for Structural Change

Gender equality plans have a long tradition when it comes to supporting structural change in research performing organisations (RPOs). Numerous institutions have been supported through structural change projects funded by the European framework programmes. These projects have been evaluated and present an ambivalent picture of the sustainability of change achieved in the funding period. To strengthen the implementation of gender equality plans (GEPs) and increase the commitment of RPOs to pursue gender equality objectives efficiently, the European Commission plans to make GEPs an eligibility criterion for applications in Horizon Europe. If RPOs have to have a gender equality plan when submitting a proposal to Horizon Europe, they will have one. But will this contribute to structural change or will it just become another bureaucratic requirement that RPOs have to fulfil in the application process? Will it be more than just a box-ticking exercise? Which framework conditions will be necessary to ensure that it will be more than that? This paper discusses the potential impact of this approach based on experiences gained in a structural change project funded in Horizon 2020. The paper argues that a European initiative has only limited potential for innovation at national level if gender equality objectives differ at European and national level. It is therefore necessary to embed a European initiative in a political discourse about gender equality. A gender equality discourse of this kind should lead to a shared understanding of gender equality objectives and the rationale behind gender equality policies.