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 EUR75.000 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 EUR1,500 to EUR3,000.

“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 Nedeljkovic, the Manager of the European PROGRES Good Governance and Social Inclusion Sector.

Project proposals should 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/pozivi/sr/

The European Union and the Government of Switzerland will support the activities of the European PROGRESS programme, which contributes to the sustainable development of the South and South West Serbia, with a total of EUR24.46 million. Approved projects will be aimed at strengthening local administration, creating a favourable environment for the development of infrastructure and economy as well as improving the implementation of social inclusion and employment policy. The programme is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The municipalities included in the programme are as follows: Novi Pazar, Ivanjica, Nova Varos, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raska, Sjenica and Tutin in South West Serbia, as well as Prokuplje, Blace, Zitoradja, Kursumlija, Leskovac, Bojnik, Vlasotince, Lebane, Medvedja, Crna Trava, Vranje, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Vladicin Han, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Brus, Aleksinac, Gadzin Han, Doljevac,vMerosina, Svrljig, Babusnica, Bela Palanka and Knjazevac in South East Serbia.

For more information please contact: Marija Radulovic, Communication Officer, European PROGRES

Cell: +381 (0)63 861 4524, E-mail: marijara@unops.org