EIGE Director Carlien Scheele leads the launch of EIGE’s EU-Level Gender Mainstreaming Helpdesk during the 10th meeting of the thematic network on gender mainstreaming.
Good morning everyone,
It is a pleasure to welcome you today.
We have two very important reasons for being here.
First, we are celebrating an important milestone: the 10th meeting of the Thematic Network on Gender Mainstreaming. And we are launching our EU-level Gender Mainstreaming Helpdesk.
For me, the two fit very naturally together.
Launching the Helpdesk during this meeting is especially meaningful in the spirit of exchange.
Because this network brings together key actors from the Member States and EU institutions to turn shared experiences into better practice. It’s a valuable space to strengthen collaboration through our mutual interests and work at a time when evolving EU priorities impact the future of gender mainstreaming.
We know that gender equality is a fundamental value of the European Union and a long-standing policy commitment. We also know that the EU’s gender equality framework calls for a gender perspective to be integrated across policies, programmes and budgets.
But what we also know is that commitments only take us so far.
Gender mainstreaming is about turning commitments into practical results.
Which means a lot in the world we are living in right now. The EU is responding to evolving priorities and challenges: to list just a few, the EU is focused on competitiveness, the digital and green transitions, preparedness, security and resilience.
In every one of these areas, policies need to reflect the specific needs and experiences of women and men in all their diversity.
And Gender mainstreaming is what helps make policy more inclusive and more effective. In other words, the results of gender mainstreaming reach real people.
At the same time, we know that implementing gender mainstreaming in practice can be challenging and not always straightforward. Institutions often need targeted evidence. They may need expert advice, methodological guidance or support with a specific policy question.
This is why EIGE has developed the EU-level Gender Mainstreaming Helpdesk.
The Helpdesk provides short-term, tailored technical support to selected EU institutions and Member States on gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting. Its purpose is simple: to help users address concrete challenges and integrate a gender perspective into their work.
Over the past months, we have already put the Helpdesk to task with real requests from users. Working with these real requests has helped us understand what institutions need in practice, to then refine the kind of support we can offer.
And today, you will see exactly how the Helpdesk works through a live showcase with examples of support that have already been delivered. You will hear from users who engaged with the service during the pilot phase. and explore how the Helpdesk can support your own work and institutional priorities.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the development and testing of the Helpdesk.
Aside from that, I also hope today’s discussion helps us look ahead. Europe’s priorities are changing quickly. The way we support institutions has to keep up with the pace of change to ensure that our efforts to advance gender equality stays on course – no matter the challenges that come our way.
As I come to a close, I hope today gives you a clear picture of what EIGE's Helpdesk offers. I also hope it inspires new ideas and opportunities for strengthening gender mainstreaming in your work – and encourages you to use the support available.
Thank you.