• The tracking system

    This section gives an overview of the tracking system and provides information on when and how to apply it [1]. The CPR (Annex I, Table 7) [2] sets three codes for assessing gender equality – 01, ‘gender targeting’ (weighting of 100 %), 02, ‘gender mainstreaming’ (weighting of 40 %) or 03, ‘gender-neutral’ (weighting of 0 %) – and recommends the...

  • Ensuring gender relevance in EU Funds

    Equality between women and men is recognised by the EU as a fundamental principle, a core value of the EU and a necessary condition for the achievement of the EU objectives of growth, employment and social cohesion. Since 1996, the Commission has committed itself to a ‘dual approach’ towards achieving gender equality. This approach involves mainstreaming a gender perspective in...

  • Effective monitoring and reporting systems on the use of GRPP are in place

    Clear measures for monitoring and impact assessment are key to the successful development of the use of GRPP. This is important for identifying obstacles to and opportunities for GRPP, and to progressively increase levels of ambition. Effective monitoring and reporting require clear and simple indicators, such as the number of staff receiving training in gender issues relevant to the contract...

  • Reporting

    Contracting authorities may report on GRPP to funding bodies, gender equality bodies, national procurement authorities or others. They may also engage in public reporting. There are opportunities to link reporting on GRPP to broader policies relating to gender equality and strategic procurement. Less formal reporting, for example through the publication of case studies or news items on GRPP, can help...

  • Monitoring

    Various strategies for monitoring of public contracts exist, including periodic review meetings, inspections, reporting and third-party audits. Monitoring may be carried out by the contractor itself (including in relation to any of its subcontractors) or the public body or, in some cases, third-party audits or inspections are held (e.g. to confirm compliance with equal pay, working conditions or whistleblowing provisions)...

  • Subcontracting

    Article 71 of Directive 2014/24/EU aims to ensure visibility and accountability within subcontracting arrangements in public contracts. Depending on the subject matter of the contract, supply chains may stretch across the globe and involve many different sectors. Gender issues may be particularly relevant for contracts with a high proportion of low-paid workers in developing countries, such as those in the...

  • Use of labels/certifications

    To verify compliance with specifications or performance under award criteria, contracting authorities may request that bidders provide a third-party label or certification. In the GRPP context, certain labels may assist companies in implementing gender equality measures and in monitoring progress. For labels or certifications to be requested in tenders, they must meet certain minimum transparency standards, be based on objective...

  • Award criteria

    Award criteria determine the outcome of a tender competition and are a key tool for addressing gender issues in the delivery of public contracts. Under the EU procurement directives and financial regulation, public buyers have the freedom to define a range of qualitative criteria provided that these are linked to the subject matter of the contract and allow fair competition...

  • Preparing tender documents

    Contracting authorities must prepare tender documents for publication prior to launching the procedure. These typically comprise several documents setting out exclusion grounds and selection criteria, specifications, award criteria and contract terms, as well as the contract notice , which must be published on the Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) portal if the contract value is above the EU thresholds. In addition...

  • Reserved contracts

    ‘Reserving’ a contract means that only businesses that meet the relevant conditions can bid for that particular contract. This does not mean that public authorities can favour these businesses generally or restrict the tender to only one operator. Under EU procurement law, reservations in public procurement do not explicitly relate to women-owned or women-managed businesses. Directive 2014/24/EU allows for only...

  • Light regime for social, health and other specific services

    The 2014 EU procurement directives introduced what is known as the light regime for social, health and other specific services. The services covered include healthcare and social care, education and training, community and cultural services, and events organisation. A higher threshold and less rigid rules are applied to these services than to other fields, while contracts in some of these...

  • Dividing the contract into lots

    Dividing contracts into lots can help to ensure the participation of a wide range of bidders, including SMEs and social enterprises, and potentially including more women-led businesses. It can also facilitate the use of a reservation (see " Reserved contracts"). Division into lots does not in itself promote GRPP unless additional measures such as market engagement, reservations and award criteria...