As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive innovation under the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters,” REMEDIES is proud to co-organize two specialized training workshops within the CAREvolution project — an EU-funded initiative promoting gender equality, work-life balance, and mental health in research and professional environments.
These workshops, titled “CAREvolution: Gender Equality as an Opportunity for Research Excellence,” are designed to equip researchers, project leaders, and professionals across Mission Ocean projects with practical tools to integrate gender equality principles into their work, enhance well-being, and create more inclusive and innovative research cultures.
Workshop 1: CAREvolution Gender Equality Action Plan
22 October 2025 | 09:00 – 12:00 (CET)
Join the free workshop here.
This interactive training will explore how gender equality can strengthen research excellence and innovation. Participants will gain an understanding of key gender concepts, such as gender mainstreaming, intersectionality, and gender identity, while also learning about European funding requirements related to gender equality under Horizon Europe, ERC, and MSCA frameworks.
Through practical exercises, attendees will work on drafting a Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) for their own research groups or organizations, guided by good practices and proven tools that can be applied immediately.
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand how to integrate the gender dimension into research projects.
- Identify opportunities for improvement in their organizational environment.
- Develop actionable proposals for gender equality measures.
Trainer:
Kaja Primorac, Director of the Institute for Gender Equality Studies (IPES) and co-founder of the GEMA (Gender Equality Management Assessment) certificate — the first corporate social responsibility certification for gender equality in Slovenia. With extensive experience in national and international equality policy, Kaja brings a practical and strategic perspective to embedding equality in research and organizational structures.
Workshop 2: Recognizing and Addressing Unconscious Bias
18 November 2025 | 13:00 – 15:00 (CET)
Join the free workshop here.
The second workshop will focus on understanding how unconscious biases shape decisions, teamwork, and innovation in research environments. Participants will explore why and how these biases form, analyze real-life scenarios (interviews, promotions, collaborations), and learn effective strategies for recognizing and mitigating them.
Through interactive discussions and exercises, the training will empower participants to foster more inclusive, creative, and fair research cultures by:
- Understanding the impact of unconscious bias on collaboration and decision-making.
- Recognizing their own biases and behavioral patterns
- Applying practical methods to reduce bias and improve inclusivity in teams and organizations.
Trainer:
Barbara Zupančič, Director of the Diversity Charter Slovenia, brings over 20 years of expertise in vocational rehabilitation, inclusion, and diversity management. She has worked extensively on European projects addressing equal opportunities, mental health, and workforce inclusion, and currently advises companies on building inclusive cultures. As a member of the European Platform of Diversity Charters at the European Commission, she co-develops tools and publications promoting diversity across Europe.
Why Participate?
Because gender equality is not just a social goal — it’s a strategic advantage for research and innovation.
- It enhances creativity and research excellence.
- It drives fairer and more innovative work environments.
- It is a requirement for participation in major European funding programmes.
- It lays the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable research community.
These workshops are an opportunity for all Mission Ocean partners and research organizations to gain new insights, exchange good practices, and strengthen their capacity for equality-driven innovation.
About CAREvolution
CAREvolution – Revolutionizing gender-responsive work-life balance through employee well-being and mental health is a two-year project (November 2024 – October 2026) funded by the European Commission (DG Justice and Consumers) under the CERV-2024-GE – Call for proposals to promote gender equality (LUMP SUM Grants).
- Coordinated by the Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor (https://www.ff.um.si), the project brings together key partners including:
- Institute for Gender Equality Studies (IPES Maribor) (https://ipes.si), Slovenia
- Diversity Charter Slovenia (DCS) (https://diversitycharter.si), Slovenia
- Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development (HRPSOR) (https://www.hrpsor.hr), Croatia
- Foundation Forum for International Communications (FIC), Romania
The initiative addresses the gender care gap by promoting inclusive and family-friendly workplace policies that encourage men’s involvement in caregiving roles and support better work-life balance.
Its main goals are to:
- Equip employees with tools to challenge gender stereotypes and support family-friendly policies.
- Help employers create equal opportunities and well-being-oriented workplaces.
- Empower managers, social partners, and authorities to design inclusive frameworks.
- Raise public awareness of the impact of gender stereotypes on equality and well-being.
Expected outcomes include stronger gender awareness, greater male participation in caregiving, improved use of work-life balance measures, and enhanced dialogue between social partners and policymakers.
