The 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, Founder and CEO 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 Introduction

00:06:04 Fly in on funding and gender

00:08:06 The gender funding gap

00:25:55 Work and initiatives

00:45:06 Need for collaboration

00:54:35 Getting involved

00:56:16 The toughest challenge