Ex-ante publicity notice for procurement procedure (€60 000.01 – Directive threshold) Financial independence and gender equality in the EU

Description of the contract

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) envisages awarding a middle-value contract for a study on financial independence and gender equality in the EU.  This study aims at monitoring the EU commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) in area F ‘Women and the Economy’ with a particular focus on women’s financial independence. The study is shaped by EU priorities and can guide the Council in making EU policies more effective in achieving gender equality objectives.

Description of the requested services

EIGE launches this call for tender in order to contract a professional service provider that will carry out a study. The BPfA acknowledges that there are considerable differences in women’s and men’s access to and opportunities to exert power over economic structures in their societies. Legal and cultural barriers to ownership of or access to income, capital, credit or technology as well as gender pay gap, contribute to impeding the economic progress of women (Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing 1995 (un.org)).

Thriving in a gender equal economy is a strategic priority of the EU gender equality strategy 2020-2025. It underlines that women and men in all their diversity should have equal opportunities to thrive and be economically independent, be paid equally for their work of equal value, have equal access to finance and receive fair pensions.

Firstly, the study will explore gender inequalities in financial independence, including income, consumption, wealth. The main objective of this part is two-fold:

1. to define a multidimensional concept of financial independence
2. to propose measurement of financial independence and present available EU wide statistical data/indicators reflecting the proposed measurement.

Secondly, the study will look at income pooling and income sharing within the household from gender equality perspective. This part of the study will critically assess different methodologies, approaches and evidence on income pooling and sharing in the household and propose a few gender-sensitive measures of individual disposable income, which would account for intra-household income inequality. Thirdly, the study will summarize the evidence on the impact of tax systems and social protection measures on gender inequalities in financial independence across EU Member States. Finally, the consequences of financial independence for gender equality will be discussed.

The study is expected to draw on desk research, both quantitative and qualitative, as well as available quantitative and qualitative data originating from academia, civil society, social partners and governmental institutions, including EU-wide high quality comparative survey data where relevant. Access to and analysis of relevant microdata is expected.

Description of the procedure

This ex-ante publicity is the first stage of the negotiated procurement procedure through which EIGE may award the above-mentioned contract.

All parties interested in providing the services described above should express their interest 400 words maximum, by e-mail, to procurement@eige.europa.eu with the subject reference: EIGE/2022/OPER/03, before 21 July, 2022, 12:00 Vilnius time.

Economic operators who do not express their interest before the deadline and to the address above will not be invited to submit an offer. The latter restriction will not apply to the minimum of five economic operators directly invited by EIGE.

Tender documents will be sent by e-mail.

This publication constitutes no obligation for EIGE to launch the mentioned procurement procedure.

We look forward to receiving your declaration of interest.