Gender-smart innovation can strengthen Europe’s economy and competitiveness
EIT Community Supernovas has launched Making Gender-Smart Innovation Happen: A Handbook of Good Practices in Gender Mainstreaming Across the EIT Community, a new publication highlighting how gender equality can strengthen Europe’s innovation performance, competitiveness and long-term economic growth, while showcasing initiatives already delivering measurable results across the EIT Community.
Released during European Diversity Month 2026, the handbook draws on initiatives implemented across the EIT Community between 2022 and 2025. Designed for organisations, policymakers and ecosystem actors, the publication showcases tested approaches that can be adapted and replicated across innovation ecosystems.
Europe is leaving innovation potential untapped
The stakes are significant. Despite gradual progress, women account for only around 14% of founders in deep tech, while more than 80% of European venture capital funding continues to flow to all-male founding teams. These figures highlight persistent inequalities as well as significant untapped innovation and economic potential across Europe.
The publication highlights broader findings from the European Institute for Gender Equality, which estimate that advancing gender equality could increase EU GDP per capita by between 6.1% and 9.6% by 2050, equivalent to between €1.95 trillion and €3.15 trillion.
Proven initiatives delivering measurable impact
The handbook showcases initiatives delivering measurable results across the EIT Community, going beyond participation targets alone. These initiatives demonstrate practical approaches already being implemented across Europe, from gender-responsive innovation calls and inclusive deep-tech training to mentorship programmes, leadership development, gender-balanced expert representation and entrepreneurship support tailored to women innovators.
Examples include:
- Girls Go STEM engaged more than 58 000 girls across 35 countries between 2021 and 2024, helping to strengthen the pipeline of women entering STEM and innovation careers.
- EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative exceeded its participation targets, reaching 36% women learners and training one million deep-tech talents by March 2025.
- WE Lead Food supported more than 600 women professionals across more than 60 countries, strengthening women’s leadership in agrifood innovation.
- STRADA brought together participants from 25 nationalities to advance women’s leadership and visibility in manufacturing sectors.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate that inclusion and excellence are mutually reinforcing, and that scalable and replicable models already exist across Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
Recognition at European level
The EIT’s leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion has also received broader European recognition. In both 2023 and 2025, the EIT received the EU Agencies Network Diversity and Inclusion Award, recognising its sustained commitment to fostering inclusion across Europe’s innovation landscape.
A strategic roadmap for Europe’s future competitiveness
The handbook positions gender-smart innovation as a core pillar of Europe’s long-term competitiveness strategy. Regions with higher levels of gender equality consistently rank among Europe’s strongest innovation performers, while companies with diverse leadership teams generate up to 19% more innovation revenue.
As Europe seeks to strengthen its global position in deep tech, entrepreneurship and sustainable industry, the handbook delivers a clear message: inclusion is not a trade-off with excellence. It is a prerequisite for long-term innovation and competitiveness.
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