eqUAlity connect

The eqUAlity connect project aims to jointly develop and implement a gender equality plan for the State Biotechnological University (SBTU) in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in cooperation with Heilbronn University. To this end, a comprehensive plan with specific targets and appropriate measures is to be drawn up, setting out how the university will promote the effective implementation of equal opportunities for women and men at all levels.

The project is being funded for two years from December 2025 by the BMFTR as part of the Equal Opportunities Plan Support Initiative (UI-Gleich).

The project is structured and based on the recommendations of the European Institute for Gender Equality. Through a series of workshops and evaluation measures, a comprehensive equality plan is to be developed and implemented that takes into account both the basic principles of gender equality and diversity within the university. 

In order to participate in Horizon Europe, universities and research institutions have been required to have an official gender equality plan since 2022. This plan must be publicly accessible, supported by the university management, and provide for sufficient resources, gender-disaggregated data collection, and regular training. In addition, the EU recommends measures on work-life balance, leadership structures, career development, gender-responsive research, and protection against gender-based violence. The equality plan is therefore a key requirement for the SBTU and other Ukrainian universities to qualify for European research projects in the future.