The GenderSAFE Community of Practice

The Community of Practice (CoP)

GenderSAFE is establishing a Community of Practice (CoP) open to all those involved in addressing gender-based violence in higher education and research institutions, including equality, diversity and inclusion officers, human resources and administrative staff, institutional leadership, national government representatives, representatives of trade unions and gender equality organisations, researchers, teaching staff, students, activists and GEP team members. Please note that the GenderSAFE CoP is targeting participants from EU and Associated Countries. 

Building on the knowledge and tools developed by the UniSAFE project, the GenderSAFE CoP is designed to promote exchange and mutual learning among participants from different universities and research organisations on institutional policy frameworks on gender-based violence. 

Specifically, the CoP aims to engage in a strategic exchange on current gaps in institutional responses, using a trauma-centred approach and addressing the continuum of violence. The ultimate goal is to develop and tailor a model policy framework, including a Code of Conduct, to foster a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence in universities and research organisations. 

The CoP will also foster empowerment by inspiring and supporting participants to introduce or improve gender-based violence policies in their institutions through facilitated peer learning, training and testing of tools produced by the project.   

The GenderSAFE CoP will be active from September 2024 to December 2026. 

Structure of the CoP

The structure of the GenderSAFE CoP is organised on two levels:  

• the General CoP level,
• the Thematic Circles level.

Depending on their interest and capacity, participants can choose to join the CoP only at the General level or additionally in one or more of the Circles. 

The General CoP level is for members who wish to engage in discussions on how to implement a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence with a broad focus and covering different aspects. The General CoP level is open to all participants. 

The Thematic Circles are for members who also wish to have more focused and in-depth discussions on specific topics. Currently, the following ones have been established:

• Legal aspects of gender-based violence: how to navigate the legal aspects of gender-based violence policy making from a victim/survivor-centred approach
• Intersectional power relations and gender-based violence: how to ensure that gender-based violence policies address the inequalities faced by different groups
• A Central and Eastern European perspective on gender-based violence: how to address the specificities and challenges of gender-based violence policymaking in CEEs countries in the current context of rising populism and anti-gender movements in the region

At least two other Circles will be formed at a later date, with the topics to be decided according to the priorities of the participants and the issues that will emerge in the discussions.

Join the CoP, be part of the change!

As a participant, you will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in the launch of the CoP (one-and-a-half-day face-to-face meeting) on 15-16 October 2024 in Rome.
• Participate in face-to-face and online meetings scheduled every four months throughout the project to share experiences, engage in mutual learning, and discuss key issues, gaps, and barriers to tackling gender-based violence at the institutional level.
• Contribute to the discussion and development of co-created content on a dedicated online platform.
• Meet with experts in the field and participate in training sessions on how to best develop and implement a comprehensive institutional policy to prevent and counteract gender-based violence.

Participation is voluntary and informal. However, we welcome active participation and engagement, which is essential to achieve the goals of the CoP. The working language is English.

How to apply

If you are interested in participating in the GenderSAFE CoP, please complete the following application form:

The deadline for applying is 16 June 2024. You will be notified of your acceptance by e-mail after the deadline.

Please note that – to foster optimal engagement within the CoP – it may not be possible for the CoP to accept a large number of requests. Should selection be necessary, the following criteria will be used in addition to the ‘first-come, first-served’ basis: 

• Applicants should meet the profile described above (see section ‘Community of Practice’). 
• Priority will be given to participants from widening countries. 
• A maximum of two participants per university/organisation will be accepted in the CoP.
• Only one participant from each university/organisation can be accommodated in each CoP Circle.

The opportunity to participate may be reopened at a later date and new members could join the CoP during the GenderSAFE project if more places become available. We encourage those who are interested to apply at their earliest convenience.

Interested in applying?

Register for the CoP Info Session on 11 June 2024, 10.00 – 11.00 am, where you’ll be able to find out more and ask your questions.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Travel grants

For the three planned face-to-face meetings, including the CoP launch in Rome on 15-16 October 2024, a limited number of grants are available to cover travel and accommodation costs. Participants who are interested in joining the CoP but have limited resources to travel are invited to e-mail cop@gendersafe.eu with a short presentation and motivation for applying for a travel grant.

A question?

In case you have a question regarding the CoP, please email cop@gendersafe.eu