Gender equality across 10 EU towns & countries

Women’s empowerment and gender equality are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SUBLIME SDGs project highlights that local authorities are pivotal in reaching 65% of the UN 2030 Agenda, and that gender parity is the sine qua non condition to effectively address local and global challenges. Aligning national, European, and local gender equality policies starts with raising stakeholder awareness. Local civil society organizations partnered with authorities to analyze policies using desk research and interviews. 

This report provides an overview of gender equality (GE) policy implementation, gaps, and opportunities across ten local contexts: the Municipality of Lampedusa and Linosa (Italy), Town of Msida (Malta), Straß in Steiermark (Austria), Burgas Municipality (Bulgaria), Nicosia Municipality (Cyprus), Municipality of West Lesvos (Greece), Siklós border territory (Hungary), Bela Krajina region (Slovenia), Tulcea Municipality (Romania), and Poznań District (Poland). 

It begins by outlining existing national and regional GE policies, then assesses the implementation of the Gender Action Plan III and the Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 across key policy areas. The report identifies local-level challenges, such as limited human and financial resources. It then categorises local GE initiatives and policies, which vary significantly. 

Examples include gender mainstreaming, gender budgeting, and educational or awareness-raising programmes. 

Finally, the report highlights both thematic and governance-related areas for policy enhancement, such as promoting female political leadership at local levels and strengthening collaboration with GE-focused civil society. National-level guidance, legal obligations, and funding are essential to systematically implement European GE priorities through a sustainable development lens, moving beyond ad-hoc efforts and individual commitments. Local authorities must be actively engaged for gender equality goals to become reality.

This report by ICLEI Europe compiles the research and territorial mapping conducted by the Sublime SDGs project partners. It offers background for decisionmakers and local partners on gender equality in policy and practice, focusing on small towns at Europe's periphery. The report highlights current activities, persistent challenges, and areas the Sublime SDG project seeks to address.