Gender Equality Plan

1. Our Commitment

Axivivo is committed to fostering gender equality and an inclusive working environment across all our activities. This Gender Equality Plan (GEP) has been prepared in compliance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2021/695 (Horizon Europe), which requires all organisations participating in EU research and innovation funding to have a published GEP in place.

This plan applies to all staff, collaborators, and project partners working with Axivivo on EU-funded initiatives. It is reviewed annually and updated to reflect progress and evolving best practice.

2. Scope and Application

This GEP applies to:

• All Axivivo employees and contracted staff
• Research collaborators and project partners engaged under EU-funded programmes
• Recruitment, procurement, and subcontracting activities related to Horizon Europe projects

Where Axivivo participates in a consortium, we expect partner organisations to uphold equivalent gender equality commitments.

3. Leadership and Accountability

Senior leadership at Axivivo is responsible for ensuring the implementation of this GEP. A designated GEP Officer oversees day-to-day actions, monitors progress, and reports findings annually.

Our commitments include:

• Promoting gender balance in leadership, advisory, and decision-making roles
• Setting measurable targets for underrepresented groups in management positions
• Including GEP compliance as a standing agenda item in quarterly leadership reviews

4. Recruitment and Career Progression

We are committed to fair and transparent recruitment processes that minimise bias and actively encourage applications from all genders. Our practices include:

• Gender-neutral job descriptions and person specifications
• Diverse shortlisting and interview panels
• Equal pay audits conducted at least every two years
• Transparent promotion criteria made available to all staff
• Mentoring and professional development opportunities open to all employees

5. Work-Life Balance and Organisational Culture

Axivivo supports flexible working arrangements and a healthy work-life balance for all staff. Our measures include:

• Flexible start/finish times and hybrid working as standard
• Enhanced parental leave provisions beyond statutory minimums
• Phased return-to-work support following parental or carer leave
• Active discouragement of a culture of excessive hours or presenteeism

6. Gender Dimension in Research and Innovation

Where relevant, Axivivo integrates a gender perspective into the content of its research and innovation activities, consistent with the Horizon Europe guidance on the gender dimension in R&I. This includes:

• Considering sex and gender variables in the design of technical solutions where applicable
• Ensuring that AI and data-driven products are evaluated for gender bias
• Promoting gender-balanced participation in project teams and working groups

7. Prevention of Harassment and Dignity at Work

Axivivo maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment, bullying, and any form of discrimination based on gender, gender identity, or expression. We provide:

• A confidential reporting mechanism for concerns and complaints
• Prompt and impartial investigation of all reported incidents
• Mandatory awareness training for all staff on dignity at work

8. Monitoring and Review

Progress against this GEP is monitored using the following indicators:

• Gender breakdown of staff by role level (reported annually)
• Gender breakdown of project leadership roles in EU-funded projects
• Pay gap analysis results
• Uptake of flexible and parental leave arrangements by gender
• Number and outcome of dignity-at-work complaints

This plan is reviewed annually by the GEP Officer and updated on this page. The current version was last reviewed in March 2025.

9. Contact

For enquiries about this Gender Equality Plan or our equality practices, please contact:

GEP Officer, Axivivo
Email: gep@axivivo.com