• Step 1. Collect information and disaggregated data on the target group

    Consider using disaggregated data to inform any analytical exercises. This means that statistics on the target group are disaggregated by characteristics such as sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic status, education level, employment in different sectors, entrepreneurship in different sectors, salary levels, and other relevant factors. When collecting this data, remember some key principles. It is important that data...

  • 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...

  • Additional resources

    Picture credit: EIGE Learn more on the EU’s work and policies on gender equality by visiting: Gender equality in the European Union European Institute for Gender Equality Consult the Commision's proposal for 2021-2027 regulations: Common Provision Regulation (COM(2018) 375 final) ESF+ regulation (COM(2018) 382 final) ERDF and Cohesion Fund regulation (COM(2018) 372 final) CAP/EAFRD regulation (COM(2018) 392 final) European Maritime...

  • EU Funds’ enabling conditions

    Linked to the overall policy objective of ‘A more social Europe by implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights’, Annex IV of the CPR specifies the need for a “National strategic framework for gender equality” as the enabling condition applicable to the ERDF, ESF+ and Cohesion Fund (according to the proposed CPR, Article 11(1)). This must be fulfilled only if...

  • Concrete requirements for considering gender equality within the EU Funds

    The European Commission’s proposal for 2021-2027 regulations defines a number of concrete requirements and duties for Member States and managing authorities when programming and implementing EU Funds programmes. These form the minimum requirements for considering gender equality in the EU Funds. However, these can also be used as anchor points to go even beyond basic requirements on fully implementing the...

  • Legislative and regulatory basis for EU policies on gender equality

    The European Union is based on the rule of law. This means that every action taken by the EU is founded on treaties that have been approved voluntarily and democratically by all EU Member States. Treaties are binding agreement between EU member countries that sets out EU objectives, rules for EU institutions, how decisions are made and the relationship between...

  • Tool 5: Defining partnerships and multilevel governance – identifying relevant partners, the role of gender experts and the composition of monitoring committees

    This tool can be used by managing authorities to ensure: that relevant actors, especially those with gender expertise, are included in EU Funds' programming and monitoring processes; that all organisations involved in the design and implementation of EU Funds' programmes integrate gender analysis in their practice. EU Funds' partners guide programming and implementation, supervise programme performance, and approve project selection...

  • Tool 11: Reporting on resource spending for gender equality in the EU Funds

    Tracking budget expenditures that promote gender equality is an important element of gender budgeting. For this, Tool 8 can be used. However, although tracking budget allocations according to their categorization as done in Tool 8 is a way forward, the process of tracking expenditures is much richer. The process of tracking expenditures that advance gender equality has to be based...

  • Tool 10: Integrating a gender perspective in monitoring and evaluation processes

    This tool can be used by managing authorities and monitoring committees to establish an evaluation plan, including for mid-term and ex post evaluations. An evaluation plan outlines how a programme will be evaluated, including in terms of its gender objectives and indicators. The plan includes the regular evaluation of programmes – intended to improve implementation quality and inform the design...

  • Tool 9: Mainstreaming gender equality in project design

    This tool will guide you to translate gender objectives and indicators in Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes to the project level. It should be used by managing authorities at the national and subnational levels during the planning, implementation and monitoring stages of a project. It can also be used by managing authorities to offer guidance and support to local actors...

  • Tool 7: Defining gender-sensitive project selection criteria

    This tool can be used by managing authorities and monitoring committees to support the elaboration of gender-sensitive projects, and to set gender equality criteria for the selection of projects. This support from managing authorities is vital for ensuring that gender equality is integrated as a horizontal principle in all EU Funds' activities. As Article 67 of the CPR stipulates: The...

  • Tool 6: Developing quantitative and qualitative indicators for advancing gender equality

    This tool [1] will support you in two tasks. Define specific quantitative and qualitative indicators for advancing gender equality, expanding on already defined common indicators for each fund. This will allow Member States and the EU to follow up on the funds’ contributions to gender equality Align these indicators for advancing gender equality with national equality priorities. This will allow...