On 5 May 2026, the Gender Budget Watchdog Network (GBWN) brought its expertise into a key European policy space through participation in the INCLUDE Strategic Gender Budgeting Hub meeting. This was the 3rd session of the Smart Venice Thematic Hub on Strategic Gender Budgeting, titled “Gender Responsive Budgeting in Research Funding Organizations“, as part of Horizon Europe INCLUDE project. This session marked the final meeting of the Thematic Hub dedicated to Strategic Gender Budgeting.
Representing GBWN, Nicole Farnsworth from the Kosovo Women’s Network joined leading experts, researchers, and practitioners to discuss how gender-responsive budgeting can be strengthened within research funding and broader public finance frameworks.
This engagement highlights the growing role of civil society networks in shaping high-level policy debates as well as the importance of ensuring that gender equality remains at the core of future European investments.
Risks in the Next EU Budget
During the session, Nicole presented critical insights on gender budgeting in the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034. While the proposed budget reaches nearly €2 trillion and introduces new priorities and flexibility, it also raises serious concerns from a gender equality perspective. There is a worrying trend: gender equality is at risk of being sidelined. The current proposal weakens commitments by removing strong provisions for gender mainstreaming, lacks dedicated funding for gender equality, and limits its integration across key programmes. Instead of shaping funding priorities, gender considerations risk being reduced to a reporting exercise, which is undermining their transformative potential.
Furthermore, monitoring systems remain insufficient, with limited indicators that fail to capture real progress on gender equality. Without stronger commitments, there is a high risk that gender-responsive budgeting becomes symbolic rather than impactful.
In response, GBWN calls for concrete improvements to ensure that the next EU budget truly delivers for all:
- Binding gender equality objectives across all funding programmes
- Dedicated and earmarked funding for gender equality and women’s rights
- Stronger monitoring, evaluation, and accountability mechanisms
- Systematic integration of gender across the entire budget cycle—from design to implementation
These recommendations reflect years of experience from GBWN members working across the Western Balkans and beyond, advocating for budgets that respond to the real needs of women and men.
Beyond the policy messages, the meeting demonstrated something equally important: the power of networks.
GBWN’s participation in this space underscores how regional networks can amplify local expertise and influence global agendas. By connecting grassroots realities with EU-level discussions, GBWN ensures that gender equality is not treated as an afterthought, but as a core principle of public finance.
Join the Movement: Invest in What Matters for People
We invite you to support the campaign “Invest in What Matters for People!” – the initiative calls on EU institutions to place gender equality, care, and social priorities at the heart of the next EU budget. The campaign reflects a broader collective effort—bringing together civil society organisations, networks, and advocates across Europe to demand a budget that works for people, not just for markets.
Sign the petition and support a gender-responsive EU budget: https://form.jotform.com/260853624523356
Join the INCLUDE Community of Practice, (more info on the CoP here)
