EU appeal: Women's power for Europe's research

The Enterprise Europe Network informs:

26.01.2026

The European Commission is calling for active participation to help shape the first Action Plan for Women in Research and Startups. The aim is to establish Europe as the world's most attractive location for female talent in these fields by 2030.

Ekaterina Zakharieva, Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation, underlines the importance of the initiative:

"We want women in research, innovation and start-ups to see their future in Europe. That is why we are making Europe the place where their ambition is best supported."

Focus on concrete measures

The plan goes beyond mere declarations of intent. The Commission is planning a package of various levers:

• Financial support: targeted funding and investment.
• Legal certainty: support for the implementation of EU regulations, such as pay transparency or protection against violence in the workplace.
• Structural change: Building safe and inclusive work environments to reduce the gender gap - especially in STEM professions.
• Facts & figures: Better collection of data on equality to make progress measurable.

Integration into the EU strategy

The initiative builds on successes such as the gender equality plans in the Horizon Europe funding program. It is closely linked to the new Roadmap for Women's Rights and the Choose Europe initiative. The aim is not only to attract top talent, but also to keep them in Europe in the long term by offering very good working conditions.

Your feedback can be submitted directly via the online portal Your Opinion Counts until February 23, 2026.

Source: European Commission