Evaluation of ESF support to Gender Equality ESF EVALUATION PARTNERSHIP MEETING WORKING GROUP ON ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BRUSSELS, 18-19 NOVEMBER 2010

PURPOSE Assess ESF support to gender equality on the basis of programming documents and evidence from first stages of implementation Examine “gender sensitivity” of programmes Check attention to specific gender equality aspects Identify Member States’ approaches Test European Added Value

QUESTIONS To which extent was gender equality taken into consideration during the programming process (and in particular the dual approach of gender mainstreaming and specific action)? To which extent is a gender equality policy integrated into the ESF implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes? Have the ESF interventions generated, or are they expected to generate, European Added Value as far as gender equality is concerned?

DELIVERABLES 27 country reports 6 thematic reports Synthesis report (i) Access to employment (vulnerable groups) (ii) Vertical segregation (iii) Horizontal segregation (iv) Work-life reconciliation (v) Enterprise creation and growth (vi) Education and training Synthesis report

COUNTRY REPORT STRUCTURE Gender disparities in country Gender equality in ESF programming ESF funding for gender sensitive actions Gender equality in ESF implementation Attention to gender issues in ESF monitoring and evaluation Emerging good and promising practices European Added Value Conclusions and policy recommendations Intervention Logic Table

THEMATIC REPORT STRUCTURE Introduction (definition; focus; EU policy relevance; basic facts) Situation and policy debate in EU 27 in relation to the issue The theme in ESF programming Gender sensitive measures and actions of this theme in ESF Identification of interesting practices with impact potential Conclusions

THE SYNTHESIS REPORT Same structure logic as for country/thematic reports Gives the general picture for the EU27 Highlights similarities and differences amongst MS Conclusions by evaluation question Recommendations on current and next programming period to Member States and to the European Commission

SELECTION OF PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS ON EVALUATION QUESTION 1 Importance attributed to gender equality varies according to country situation (GEI ranking; policy tradition) budget capabilities outside EU contributions Decreased funding for specific actions (but not result of shift to mainstreaming) Greater reliance on gender mainstreaming means that success depends on how well “gender mainstreaming” is understood and applied. Subject of concern! Poor understanding (only definition of targets, content and selection criteria) Dedicated support in programming stage not secured as permanent function Staff training needs No specific operational strategy Fears for formal compliance only

SELECTION OF PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS ON EVALUATION QUESTION 1 Focus on employability objective (increasing labour market participation and reconciliation); implies poor understanding of multidimensionality of the gender equality objective Focus on supply-side approach because of misperceptions on actual causes that perpetuate inequalities However, advancement in a few countries in respect to gender equality objectives and strategies (e.g. work to directly target change in the way policy is conceived)

SELECTION OF PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS ON EVALUATION QUESTION 2 Slow progress of implementation especially in gender equality actions resources shifted because of economic crisis difficulty to implement strategy into action lower priority to this policy Gender equality representatives in all Monitoring Committees gender equality interests not automatically guaranteed potential leverage to discuss relevant themes advise and channel important information to MA opportunity to foster gender equality during implementation Considerable attention to GE theme in evaluation activities an important learning opportunity

SELECTION OF PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS ON EVALUATION QUESTION 3 Overall, a positive judgment on European Added Value Mostly due to previous programming phase Currently reinforcing existing national/regional strategies and some innovation But a compromised potential because of not addressing certain aspects insistence on supply-side ESF losing its innovative drive limited understanding of mainstreaming strategic and operational implications Generation of significant European added value depends on whether important progress is made in the realm of gender mainstreaming

PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS ON CURRENT PERIOD Member States should strengthen implementation Permanent structure/function on GE issues, where not yet in place Clear picture on gender mainstreaming implementation self-assessments; evaluations; structured reflection… Actions to encourage participation of suitable applicants European Commission should reinforce attention to GM request strategic reporting on gender mainstreaming implementation carry out evaluation on how GM has been implemented in MS

PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEXT PERIOD Category of expenditure for gender specific spending Formally defined space for experimentation and innovation Rebalancing the dual-approach Define purpose of specific and mainstreaming approaches Define a framework for the dual-approach Mainstream the employability objective Specific actions for more difficult objectives

FINALISATION OF EVALUATION End of November – Beginning of December 2010