Gender equality, 100% funding for SMEs

A great opportunity will soon open up for SMEs who want to obtain UNI/PdR 125: 2022 gender equality certification.

The Department for Equal Opportunities has in fact published a Notice for the creation of a List of Certification Bodies (CB) accredited for the UNI/PdR 125:2022 Gender Equality Certification scheme, in which it anticipates the possibility for SMEs, which request it within the deadlines, to obtain certification with full coverage of costs, which will be reimbursed directly to the accredited CBs and included in the ministerial list.

The budget intended to finance the costs of the certification of gender equality of SMEs is a total of € 5,500,000.00.

Only the costs for the services rendered by the CB for the issue of the first certification in favor of an SME relating to the following items are eligible and reimbursable:

• examination of the application;
• documentary verification;
• on-site verification and direct observation of the activity of the certified organization;
• issue of the certificate.

A second notice is being finalized for the management and disbursement of contributions for technical assistance services and certification accompaniment and contributions for the costs of certifying gender equality to   PMI.

For further information on the current status , it is possible to consult the proceedings of the webinar "Certification of Gender Equality. What it is, how to obtain it, the advantages" organized by UNIONCAMERE with Il Sole 24 Ore.