Unlock your potential: New POLICY ANSWERS free Online course launched – Gender mainstreaming in research & innovation policies
Empower yourself with the knowledge and tools to create more inclusive and gender-sensitive R&I ecosystems.
The Foundation for Management and Industrial Research (MIR) is proud to launch a free, self-paced online course on Gender Mainstreaming in Research & Innovation Policies, as part of the Horizon Europe-funded project POLICY ANSWERS – R&I POLICY making, implementation ANd Support in the WEsteRn BalkanS.
This course is designed for professionals, researchers, policymakers, and students in the Western Balkans and beyond, who are committed to advancing equality and excellence in research and innovation (R&I).
📥 Access the full course and download the learning materials here:
👉 Resources – MIR Foundation
💡 Course Overview
The course includes five comprehensive modules that guide participants from the fundamentals of gender mainstreaming to practical implementation and evaluation within R&I systems. Each module comes with downloadable learning materials, real-life examples, and actionable strategies.
🟣 Module 0 – Introductory Module: Gender Mainstreaming Concepts & Tools
Learning Objectives:
- Start building a personal reference kit for future use
- Develop a general understanding of the theories and vocabulary pertaining to gender mainstreaming
- Self-assess one’s knowledge, know-how and expectations regarding gender mainstreaming
🔵 Module 1 – Using Gender Mainstreaming in the Organisation of R&I
Learning Objectives:
- Know the steps needed to create the context and conditions for a gender-sensitive Research and Innovation policy by:
- maintaining specific programmes for gender equality in policy making and projects implementation
- developing targeted actions based on data related to existing gender gaps and challenges specific to R&I
🟢 Module 2 – Implementing Gender-Sensitive R&I Policies
Learning Objectives:
- Be able to implement a Gender equality Plan (GEP) in a research organisation in a participatory manner
- Learn how the vision and indicators of the GEP can be integrated in research projects
- Consider how to increase the outreach of our organisation thanks to the GEP
🟠 Module 3 – Monitoring a GEP & Gender-Sensitive Evaluation of Projects
Learning Objectives:
- Be able to create and use a monitoring and evaluation plan, integrated in a GEP
- Understand differences between monitoring and evaluation, targets, indicators and goal
- Use tools to ensure that the objectives, targets and indicators are relevant to the vision established for an organisation
🔴 Module 4 – Opening the Path to Future Researchers and Beneficiaries
Learning Objectives:
- Build on the evaluation of a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) to improve outreach and recruitment
- Consider potential improvements to internal communication processes
- Improve visibility of research & innovation (R&I) in my country
Why This Course Matters
Gender equality is a core value and objective of the European Research Area. Through this course, MIR supports regional actors in embedding gender perspectives into R&I policy and practice, helping create systems that are more inclusive, effective, and aligned with EU standards.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideal for:
- Researchers, academics, and R&I project managers
- Policy professionals and civil servants
- University and research institution staff
- Gender equality officers and HR managers
- Civil society and NGO professionals
- Students and early-career researchers
📢 Don’t miss this opportunity to upskill, reflect, and make a difference.
Start today—download the materials and begin your learning journey:
👉 Resources – MIR Foundation
Together, we can create a more inclusive and impactful research and innovation ecosystem in the Western Balkans and beyond.
