Strengthened HRS4R process - from PROGRESS to QUALITY Implementation of the European Charter for Researchers & the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers

The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) has developed a Further Improved Action Plan (FIAP1) for 2024-2027 to maintain its 'HR Excellence in Research' award. This plan follows a series of previous action plans (2015-2023) and is based on a 2023 internal GAP analysis. The FIAP1 focuses on four strategic objectives: ensuring a safe and vibrant workspace, developing a labour framework for excellence, improving internal structures for sustainability and fairness, and contributing to personal and professional development. Key initiatives include updating the Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) policy, developing a new Equality Action Plan for 2024-2027, and establishing a formal labour framework for rights and responsibilities.

• BC3 experienced significant organizational growth between 2022 and 2023, with a growth rate of approximately 37% in total employees.
• The 2023 internal assessment identified that principles related to 'Working conditions and Social Security' were rated lower than other sections, necessitating a focus in the 2024-2027 plan.
• The Further Improved Action Plan (FIAP1) for 2024-2027 is organized around four strategic objectives: ensuring a safe workspace and vibrant environment, developing a labour framework for excellence in policies, processes, and people, improving internal structures for a sustainable and fair workspace, and contributing to personal and professional development.
• BC3 is updating its Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) policy to align with the centre's strategy and current needs, as identified in the 2023 OTM-R Checklist.
• The centre aims to develop a new Equality Action Plan for 2024-2027, which includes activities such as an external evaluation of the Harassment Protocol and the promotion of inclusive language and non-sexist communication.
• BC3 intends to establish a formal labour framework to define the rights and responsibilities of its staff, as well as regulate work-life balance measures and a disciplinary regime.
• The centre is working to improve professional development through the update of the Professional Career Development plan and the implementation of 'Development Talks' within teams.
• BC3's HR Excellence Group, which monitors the FIAP1, is a mixed team consisting of 43% Administration department and 57% Research Department staff, with women representing 71% of the group.

APA

Basque Centre for Climate Change (2024). Strengthened HRS4R process - from PROGRESS to QUALITY Implementation of the European Charter for Researchers & the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. https://www.bc3research.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/00_hr_excellence_strategy_and_improved_action_plan_2024.pdf

Chicago

Basque Centre for Climate Change. Strengthened HRS4R process - from PROGRESS to QUALITY Implementation of the European Charter for Researchers & the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. 2024. https://www.bc3research.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/00_hr_excellence_strategy_and_improved_action_plan_2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Basque Centre for Climate Change |title=Strengthened HRS4R process - from PROGRESS to QUALITY Implementation of the European Charter for Researchers & the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers |date=February 2024 |url=https://www.bc3research.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/00_hr_excellence_strategy_and_improved_action_plan_2024.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{basquecentreforclimatechange2024strengthened, author = {{Basque Centre for Climate Change}}, title = {{Strengthened HRS4R process - from PROGRESS to QUALITY Implementation of the European Charter for Researchers \& the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers}}, institution = {Basque Centre for Climate Change}, year = {2024}, month = feb, url = {https://www.bc3research.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/00_hr_excellence_strategy_and_improved_action_plan_2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }