Gender Equality Plan (GEP)

GTF – Initiative for Sustainable Growth (Croatia)
2025–2028

1. Introduction and Commitment

GTF – Initiative for Sustainable Growth is committed to advancing gender equality as a core principle of sustainable development. Gender equality strengthens democracy, social justice, and economic resilience. This Gender Equality Plan (GEP) formalizes our commitment to integrate gender-sensitive policies and practices across all organizational levels, in line with EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025, the European Research Area guidelines, and Croatian national frameworks.

2. Objectives

The GEP aims to:

  1. Ensure equal opportunities for women and men in leadership, decision-making, and project implementation.
  2. Eliminate gender-based discrimination and harassment.
  3. Mainstream gender perspectives into all programs, policies, and partnerships.
  4. Promote work-life balance and inclusive workplace culture.
  5. Strengthen gender-sensitive research, innovation, and data collection.
  6. Empower women and marginalized groups in sustainable growth initiatives.

3. Key Action Areas

A. Governance and Leadership

  • Introduce transparent recruitment, promotion, and evaluation procedures free from gender bias.
  • President will act as Gender Equality Officer to oversee monitoring and compliance.

B. Organizational Culture and Work Environment

  • Adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment and discrimination.
  • Develop flexible working arrangements (remote work, parental leave, adjusted schedules).
  • Celebrate International Women’s Day and relevant awareness dates through events and campaigns.

C. Gender in Programs and Research

  • Integrate gender analysis into the design, implementation, and evaluation of projects.
  • Prioritize projects that address women’s economic empowerment, climate justice, and social inclusion.
  • Ensure equal participation of women and men as beneficiaries, trainers, researchers, and decision-makers.
  • Collect and publish sex-disaggregated data in research and reporting.

D. Capacity Building and Awareness

  • Provide training for staff and partners on gender mainstreaming in sustainable growth.
  • Develop guidelines and toolkits for gender-sensitive project planning.
  • Partner with academic and civil society organizations to strengthen expertise in gender issues.

E. Communication and Visibility

  • Use gender-sensitive language and imagery in all communications.
  • Promote stories and achievements of women leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers.
  • Ensure gender balance among speakers and experts in events, conferences, and public forums.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Regular staff surveys to assess organizational culture and perceptions of equality.
  • Mid-term review (2026) to evaluate progress and adjust measures.
  • Final assessment (2028) to set new targets for the following cycle.

6. Conclusion

Through this Gender Equality Plan, GTF – Initiative for Sustainable Growth affirms its role as a leader in promoting fairness, inclusivity, and sustainability. By embedding gender equality into its governance, programs, and culture, GTF contributes not only to equal opportunities but also to more resilient and equitable pathways for sustainable growth in Croatia and beyond.