{"id":19822,"date":"2025-12-22T13:41:26","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T12:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gbwn.net\/?p=19822"},"modified":"2025-12-22T13:51:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T12:51:18","slug":"gbwn-annual-meeting-of-members-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gbwn.net\/en\/gbwn-annual-meeting-of-members-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"GBWN Annual Meeting of Members 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

12th December 2025, Skopje: GBWN Annual Meeting provided a dedicated space for members to reflect more deeply on the Network\u2019s future direction and strategic priorities. Building on our achievements, discussions focused on strengthening global, regional, and local advocacy\u2014particularly on gender-responsive climate finance, domestic resource mobilization, transport, green jobs, circular economy, agriculture subsidies, and women\u2019s entrepreneurship and access to finance. With the guidance of our mentors in the open group discussions on advocacy priorities, the members highlighted the importance of reinforcing GBWN\u2019s watchdog role with institutions, advancing inclusion (including disability rights), and expanding work on financial literacy, social enterprises, and crisis management from a gender perspective. The meeting also explored practical pathways for sustainability, including diversified funding sources, partnerships as well as new models for membership and expertise monetization. The openness, strategic thinking, and shared commitment of our members once again demonstrated the strength of GBWN as a collective force shaping more gender-equal and resilient public policies.<\/p>\n

The group discussions at the GBWN Annual Meeting highlighted a strong convergence around the need to deepen GBWN\u2019s role as a regional watchdog, knowledge hub, and advocacy actor<\/strong>, while diversifying thematic focus and strengthening financial sustainability.<\/p>\n

Across all groups, participants emphasized that advocacy must operate simultaneously at global, regional, national, and local levels<\/strong>. EU institutions, UN agencies, and international donors remain key agenda-setters, but local governments and municipalities were identified as the most accessible and impactful entry points<\/strong> for gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) and climate finance advocacy. Municipal budget cycles, local development plans, resilience strategies, and Gender Action Plans provide concrete opportunities where CSOs can exert \u201cwatchdog pressure\u201d and influence real allocations. At national level, advocacy remains more challenging due to limited transparency and selective consultation practices, underscoring the importance of coordinated, evidence-based pressure.<\/p>\n

Participants agreed that GBWN\u2019s strongest comparative advantage lies in its evidence-based reporting, GRB expertise, and credibility with institutions<\/strong>. Gender-responsive data, combined with human stories from women, rural communities, persons with disabilities, and women entrepreneurs, were seen as the most persuasive advocacy tools. Framing gender equality as a solution that improves efficiency, resilience, and public spending outcomes<\/strong>\u2014rather than as an obligation\u2014was consistently identified as the most effective messaging approach. Regional alignment around core advocacy messages is feasible, while national advocacy requires tailored framing based on political context, dominant climate risks, and sectoral priorities.<\/p>\n

In terms of future thematic priorities<\/strong>, members highlighted the importance of expanding beyond climate finance to include:<\/p>\n