1. Introduction and Commitment

CityLab is committed to promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion across all levels of our organisation. While a GEP is not a mandatory requirement for private companies under Horizon Europe, we voluntarily adopt this plan to strengthen our culture of fairness, attract diverse talent, and contribute to the European Research Area objectives.

2. Objectives

Our GEP focuses on four key objectives:

1. Ensure equal opportunities in recruitment, career progression, and pay.
2. Promote gender balance in leadership and decision-making.
3. Support work–life balance for all employees.
4. Foster an inclusive workplace through awareness and training.

3. Actions and Measures

3.1 Recruitment & Career Development:
- Ensure job postings use inclusive language.
- Maintain gender-balanced shortlists for hiring when possible.
- Apply transparent criteria for promotions and evaluations.

3.2 Leadership & Decision-Making:
- Encourage women and underrepresented groups to apply for leadership positions.
- Monitor gender balance in project leadership roles.

3.3 Work–Life Balance:
- Offer flexible working arrangements (remote work, flexible hours).
- Encourage use of parental leave by both men and women.

3.4 Awareness & Training:
- Provide annual training on unconscious bias and inclusive leadership.
- Celebrate International Women’s Day and other awareness events.

4. Monitoring and Accountability

- Data Collection: Track workforce composition by gender (recruitment, pay, promotions, leadership roles).
- Annual Review: HR will review progress annually and update this GEP as needed.
- Transparency: Results will be shared with staff and, if relevant, project partners.

5. Resources

- HR is responsible for implementation.
- Budget allocated for training and awareness-raising activities.
- Management endorses and monitors this plan.

6. Conclusion

This Gender Equality Plan is a living document. By embedding equality measures into our policies and practices, CityLab commits to building a diverse and innovative workforce aligned with European values and Horizon Europe objectives.