#154 Gender balance in EU funding

Episode siteThe topic of gender balance in EU funding is more relevant than ever, and in this episode, we take a deep dive into the challenges, progress, and ongoing efforts to ensure equal access to funding opportunities. My guest, Anne-Charlotte Joubert, EU Affairs and Funding Expert at Euro-BioImaging and founder of WonderFund, shares her insights on how gender imbalances persist in the funding ecosystem and why addressing them is crucial for innovation and economic growth. From the European Commission’s early initiatives to today’s structural challenges, we explore how policies and funding mechanisms are shaping the future for female researchers and entrepreneurs.Together, we discuss the gender funding gap, the Commission’s role in promoting equality, and the initiatives making a real impact, including Anne-Charlotte’s work in supporting women entrepreneurs and researchers. With concrete data, inspiring success stories, and practical steps for change, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in diversity, inclusion, and fair access to research and innovation funding. Whether you're a researcher, policymaker, or investor, this conversation sheds light on how we can build a more equitable funding landscape.Time codes:00:02:14 Introduction00:06:04 Fly in on funding and gender00:08:06 The gender funding gab00:25:55 Work and initiatives00:45:06 Need for collaboration00:54:35 Getting involved00:56:16 The toughest challenge