European Institute of Innovation and Technology

The Client

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an EU body created by the European Union in 2008 to strengthen Europe’s ability to innovate. The EIT is an integral part of Horizon 2020, the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Within the EIT, there are eight Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) – partnerships that bring together businesses, research centres, and universities, each focusing on a different societal challenge.

The Challenge

EIT needed impartial, independent, and objective expertise to review its existing HR policies across six KICs. A thorough evaluation was needed on the existence and completeness of policies relating to recruitment, remuneration, employment practices, workplace diversity, equality, training, and career development.

As a registered expert in the expert database of the European Commission, Lisa Thomson was selected and appointed to undertake the project.

The Solution

AAB conducted a comprehensive review and gap analysis of the existing HR setup, strategies, and toolkits in place within each of the KIC’s subsidiary organisations across Europe.

A detailed report and extensive recommendations were provided to improve and align the existing policies and practice in line with the EIT’s guiding principles of transparency, diversity & inclusion, and good governance.

The Outcome

The report and recommendation provided served as a reference for implementing a clear HR strategy, thus enabling EIT to set up effective and fit-for-purpose HR frameworks across the KICs to ensure consistency and good practice.