Gender-based violence is a pervasive issue that encompasses a continuum of behaviours, from microaggressions to physical and sexual violence. The EU-funded GenderSAFE project seeks to establish safe, inclusive, and respectful environments in research and higher education institutions by introducing zero-tolerance policies against gender-based violence, aligned with the Zero-Tolerance Code of Conduct (European Commission, 2024).Based on the initial studies published by the project, this first policy brief provides higher education and research institutions and other stakeholders with insights into existing policy approaches on the zero-tolerance approach (Bondestam et al., 2024) and the needs of people in specific at-risk positions and situations (Michlová et al., 2024). Structured along the main components of the Zero-Tolerance Code of Conduct (European Commission 2024), it provides actionable recommendations for institutions to develop cultures that recognise the structural nature of gender-based violence and take seriously all forms of gender-based violence, enforce compliance, foster trust, and by doing so, encourage a culture where victims/survivors feel supported to come forward.