In 2013 EIGE started the in-depth phase of the study on ‘Gender Training in the European Union: Mapping, Research and Stakeholders Engagement’. The project is a continuation of a mapping exercise on gender training in the EU and Croatia that was completed in 2012 with the European Conference on ‘Advancing Gender Training to Support Effective Gender Mainstreaming’.

In a nutshell the findings from Phase I of the study are as follows:

  • The implementation of gender mainstreaming has been patchy in EU Member States and often there is no political will to prioritise gender equality issues.
  • Investments in gender training are not systematic and the resources are often limited because of the cuts in public spending.
  • Training programmes provided to civil servants tend to be generic and theoretical, not tailored to specific policy areas and the day to day work of participants.
  • The quality of gender training varies both within and across Member States as certification mechanisms for gender trainers rarely exist in the EU.
  • Gender training programmes are not systematically evaluated though qualitative evidence suggests that they support effective mainstreaming if they are practical and tailored to the training participants’ policy area of work and day-to-day activities.

Read the full summary of the first year's findings.

Moving to Phase II

Taking these issues into account, Phase II of the study seeks to explore:

  • The key features that contribute to effective gender training;
  • Why gender training is not always effective; and
  • The extent to which effective gender training contributes to the implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies in the European Union.

Methodologically, to investigate these issues in the in-depth phase the study team conducts case study research in five EU Member States (Austria, Germany, Greece, Finland and Sweden) as well as face-to-face and online consultation meetings with civil servants in EU institutions and Member States as well as gender trainers.

Through case studies research and stakeholder consultations the study team will examine the relationship between quality standards and effectiveness of training and make recommendations about the future of gender capacity development in Europe and how EIGE can support Member States and EU institutes in their efforts to promote equality. The Final report of the in-depth research is planned for January 2014.