Charles University honoured with EU Award for Gender Equality Champions
03 February 2026
The Coimbra Group warmly congratulates its member Charles University on receiving the EU Award for Gender Equality Champions in the “Newcomer” Category, presented during the 4th edition of the award ceremony held at the Berlaymont in Brussels on 3 February.
The award was handed over by European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, in the presence of MEP Lina Gálvez Muñoz. Both highlighted the European Union’s continued commitment to gender equality as a cornerstone of research and innovation excellence.
Gender Equality Champions are European academic and research organisations recognised for their outstanding results in driving lasting change in gender equality through the implementation of Gender Equality Plans (GEPs).
Charles University was honoured for its ambitious and comprehensive strategy, which includes measures going far beyond compliance requirements and demonstrate a clear institutional commitment towards making the university into an inclusive and safe environment for all. Key achievements include the creation of an Equal Opportunities Board, the appointment of a full‑time Ombudsperson, dedicated staff for GEP implementation and strong horizontal cooperation across faculties and units.
At the ceremony, Lenka Henebergová, Iveta Bayerová and Adéla Jiroudková (Chair of Coimbra Group Research Support Officers Working Group) highlighted the essential role of community-wide engagement, institutional embodiment and international collaboration, particularly through their membership in the Coimbra Group and their active participation in its Equality & Diversity Working Group (co-chaired by Iveta Bayerová) which fosters peer learning, exchange of good practices and a shared ambition to advance gender equality.
Lenka Henebergová, Vice-dean for internationalisation at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport and outgoing the Rector’s Board for Social Affairs and Sustainable Development, reminded participants that “gender equality is a core component of a democratic and safe Europe where shared values matter”.
This recognition makes Charles University the second Coimbra Group member to enter the EU Gender Equality Champions Hall of Fame, following Trinity College Dublin’s award in 2022, whose staff has since described the European recognition as “a major catalyst that galvanised” the university’s work in this area.
Speakers at the ceremony emphasised that gender equality is not just a matter of justice or fairness, but is fundamental to research excellence. Commissioner Zaharieva praised the five awarded research organisations for “leading by example” and reaffirmed that “excellence and inclusion go hand in hand”.
MEP Lina Gálvez stressed the importance of ensuring that GEPs remain a pillar of future framework programmes beyond 2027, warning against reducing them to mere tick-box exercises. Leadership commitment, accountability and measurable progress were highlighted as fundamental to achieving sustained and tangible change.
Congratulations once again to Charles University and all those involved in this outstanding accomplishment!
