The 49 EU Agencies and Joint Undertakings that make up the EU Agencies Network (EUAN) employ over 11,600 people, making it the second largest employer in the European Union, just behind the European Commission.
It is therefore not surprising that diversity and inclusion is one of the central pillars of their strategy to promote a healthy work environment, based on mutual respect, collaboration, cohesion and efficiency.
“Diversity and inclusion is more than policies or projects. It is about respecting the unique needs, perspectives and potential of all our team members. A diverse and inclusive workplace is one that makes everyone, no matter who they are or what they do, feel equally involved and supported in all areas of the workplace An inclusive workplace not only has a diversity of people present, it has a diversity of people involved, developed, empowered and trusted by the organization,” says Olga Borissova, Chair of the EUAN Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and Chief Administrative Officer of ACER.
In this context, EUAN organized the first edition of the Diversity and Inclusion Awards, giving the opportunity to all EU Agencies and Joint Undertakings to present their best practices in the field. The award is an integral part of the EU Agencies Network’s strategic priority to position EU agencies as a model of administrative excellence.
Fusion for Energy wins first prize
Fusion for Energy (F4E) Women’s Network received the 2022 EUAN Award for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion. The winners were announced during an online ceremony which took place on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
According to Carlien Scheele, member of the jury and executive director of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), the prize was awarded for “the change that the initiative has brought, its reach and its impact , the cultural change it called for, its long term and sustainability, and for its clear co-design and internal team engagement.”
Alessia Vecchio, Chief Administrative Officer of F4E and Principal Patron of the Women’s Network, emphasized that with the Women’s Network “we are creating change; we meet, discuss and confront each other. We really hope we can make a difference for both men and women in F4E.
Launched on March 8, 2022, the F4E Women’s Network is a rich and vibrant community of approximately 150 people and a powerful voice on issues related to gender equality and awareness, as well as a safe environment to share experiences .
It also offers an opportunity for personal and professional growth, with the ambition to create an impact beyond the network itself. Although this learning takes place informally, it helps build the leadership capacity of female colleagues, which is a priority for F4E.
Eight projects competed for the D&I Awards. The F4E Women’s Network was one of eight projects competing for the award, including:
“Awareness campaigns to promote diversity and inclusion”, communication initiatives at the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
“Integrate a culture of gender equality and foster female leadership” at the European Banking Authority (EBA), to move towards gender equality without major organizational disruption.
“Towards socially sustainable procurement through gender equality criteria” by F4E which addresses gender-sensitive public procurement.
An informal working group of European Environment Agency (EEA) staff regularly discussing D&I best practices in other EU agencies and international organisations.
A diversity and inclusion clip launched by F4E in May 2022 to celebrate European Diversity Month.
A ‘women’s speed networking event to encourage women in transport’, promoted by the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) to help bridge the gender gap.
An F4E campaign “Breaking stereotypes – be yourself!”, launched on the occasion of International Men’s Day aimed at raising awareness of socio-economic, cultural and political efforts aimed at promoting positive role models, combating certain stereotypes surrounding men and to improve gender equality.
EASA’s awareness campaigns, ERA’s speed networking and F4E’s Breaking Stereotypes campaign were also awarded with a Certificate of Excellence.
Alessia Vecchio, in her role as EUAN Coordinating Agency, was “proud to say that eight initiatives have been submitted: all have a tangible and direct positive impact on the diverse and inclusive dimensions of agencies and joint ventures as an employer valuable. All initiatives are valuable, and we hope they will inspire others.”
The Diversity and Inclusion Awards Ceremony was the last major event under the F4E Presidency of the EU Agencies Network, which will officially end on February 28, 2023.
The Frankfurt-based European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) will take over the chairmanship of EUAN from March 1.
Fr
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