Steps to assess and analyse gender inequalities and needs

When designing EU Funds' OPs, a range of tools can be used, such as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT ) analysis for analysing needs and setting strategic goals.

For the step-by-step toolkit, a general model for integrating the gender equality perspective in EU Funds was developed. However there are substantial national differences in terms of the implementation system, such as the following.

  • Programme-based. Some Member States or regions develop programmes out of the overall thematic priorities defined in the OPs. These programmes are often run by different ministries or departments of ministries.
  • Based on action plans. Other Member States develop action plans based on the OPs, which are executed in the regions of the Member States.
  • Based on tendering. A third version of implementation is the tendering of calls for projects directly from the OP priorities with no intermediate bodies (for instance ministries) in between.

These different procedures and systems could mean that implementation requirements are formulated not in a programme or an action plan but in other documents steering the implementation. However, the general principles and requirements set out in the step-by-step toolkit can be used regardless of implementation system.

Follow these steps to ensure the accurate, relevant analysis and assessment of gender inequalities and needs.