GRB Impact Story: Bringing Women’s Voices into Budgets in South Mitrovica
The Mitrovica Women’s Association for Human Rights (MWAHR), a member of the Gender Budget Watchdog Network (GBWN) and a sub-grantee of the project “Gender Budgeting as a Transformative Budget Tool for Municipal Institutions” (2023–2024), has been at the forefront of promoting gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) in South Mitrovica (Kosovo). Through persistent monitoring, advocacy, and community engagement, […]
When Crisis Plans Miss Half the Story: Gender-Responsive Crisis Management in North Macedonia
When a crisis strikes, whether it’s a fire, a flood, or a pandemic, every second counts. But what happens when the very plans designed to keep people safe overlook the needs of half the population? In North Macedonia, this question became painfully clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency teams, task forces, and crisis management plans […]
Workshop: Mapping Opportunities for CSO participation in International Events & Planning of the Network’s Global Expansion
Between August 18 and 21, 2025, the coordinators of the Gender Budget Watchdog Network (GBWN) gathered in the green surroundings of Vučje, Nikšić, Montenegro, for a workshop dedicated to mapping opportunities for civil society organizations (CSOs) to participate in international events and planning the global expansion of the Network. The meeting brought together representatives from […]
Savka Todorovska: Where Does GRB Fit in a Lifelong Journey of Fighting for Equality
by Mersiha Jaskic I first met Savka Todorovska in 2022, in Ohrid, when she received the Gender Budget Watchdog Network Award for her outstanding contribution to advancing gender equality. Although she is 53 years my senior, her energy immediately humbled me. Over the past few years, our paths have crossed often, bound by our shared […]
PUBLIC CALL FOR HIRING INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS PRODUCING GENDER REPORTS
GBWN is looking for international experts developing 7 gender reports and one 1 methodology The selected international experts will be responsible for producing comprehensive Gender Budget Watchdog Reports that assess the planning and execution of climate-related public funds in the Western Balkans and Moldova through a gender-responsive budgeting lens. Specifically, the expert(s) will analyze how gender […]
When Care Stops Moving: The Hidden Gender Burden of Inaccessible Transport
Two recent focus groups, one in Skopje and another in Ohrid, brought to light the daily struggles of caregivers—mostly women—who juggle responsibilities for children, elderly family members, and persons with disabilities, all while navigating cities that fail to support them. Our aim was to get a micro-level, qualitative snapshot of how caregiving, mobility, and gender intersect in everyday […]
Call for Mentors: Implementing GRB Advocacy Actions at the Local and Regional Level
Gender Budget Watchdog Network is looking for 5 mentors to guide and support 20 civic society organizations (CSOs) from across Western Balkans and Republic of Moldova in the gender-responsive budgeting advocacy plans and in the consecutive implementation of local and regional advocacy actions. Capacity Building of CSOs Capacity Building within the GBWN consists of: Step 1: […]
Strengthening GBWN Through Shared Quality Standards: A Three-Day Workshop in Kruševo, Macedonia
The Gender Budget Watchdog Network gathered in Kruševo for a dynamic three-day workshop aimed at enhancing the quality, accountability, and impact of its work. Members from across the Western Balkans and Moldova came together to co-develop shared standards that will guide the Network’s ongoing efforts in gender-responsive budgeting and advocacy. Day 1: Grounding in Global […]
Join our global movement calling for better EU budgeting towards gender equality!
Join our global movement calling for better EU budgeting towards gender equality! Together with 100+ civil society organisations and experts, Gender Budget Watchdog Network is calling on the European Commission, Parliament, and Council to ensure that the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU budget, contribute to gender equality! The new MFF must: ✅ Include […]
2nd Communication Meeting in Chișinău, Moldova
From 10th to 13th of June, 2025 the Gender Budget Watchdog Network (GBWN) coordinators gathered in Chișinău, Moldova, to strengthen regional coordination around advocacy and communication across the Western Balkans and Moldova. During the meeting, we reviewed and fine-tuned the GBWN Communication Strategy to ensure full alignment with the Project Document, Network Development Strategy, and […]
