The European PROGRES development programme has published its Public Call for Proposals in support of local Gender Equality Mechanisms (GEMs). The European Union and the Swiss Government have earmarked 75.000 Euro for grants supporting up to 25 projects to be implemented in the local self-governments. These projects are to contribute to the improvement of the social status of women, their economic empowerment and greater involvement in decision-making, as well as to promote the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life and introduce gender responsive budgeting.
“The European Union and Swiss Government have continuously supported the improvement of gender equality. Through European PROGRES, they have already helped all 34 local self-governments in the Programme’s Area of Responsibility (AoR) establish and empower their local Gender Equality Mechanisms and adopt or update their relevant Local Action Plans,” Graeme Tyndall, the Manager of the European PROGRES programme, underlined.
Only the GEMs in the 34 local self-governments that have adopted and have valid Gender Equality Local Action Plans are eligible to apply. Each successful GEM will be awarded a grant ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 Euro.
“Our goal is to help the local GEMs be active and capable of advocating gender equality issues. This Call for Proposals provides them with the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired and reaffirm their roles in their local self-governments, as well as to achieve visible results contributing to the improvement of the status of women,” said Ana Nedeljković, the Manager of the European PROGRES Good Governance and Social Inclusion Sector.
Project proposals must be submitted by 10 October 2016. More information on the Call for Proposals and the requisite documents are available on European PROGRES’ website: http://www.europeanprogres.org/konten/en/526/Suport-to-Local-Gender-Equality-Mechanisms-in-Implementation-of-Activities-from-GE-LAPs/.
