As discussions intensify on the next EU long term budget for 2028–2034, gender equality must move from political commitments to concrete results in people’s everyday lives said Sari Rautio, President of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) speaking at the conference “Gender Budgeting in the New EU Multiannual Financial Framework: Making Budgets Work for Gender Equality and Women’s Rights”, held in Nicosia
While EU level frameworks and indicators are important, she underlined that gender equality is ultimately delivered locally – through access to childcare and care services, safe and inclusive public transport, quality jobs, healthcare, digital inclusion and support for women entrepreneurs. These areas are largely planned and implemented by local and regional authorities, often with EU co financing.
“Gender equality does not happen on paper or in Brussels reporting tables – it happens in regions, cities and communities,” said Sari Rautio. “If the next EU budget wants real results, it must empower local and regional authorities as full partners, from the design of programmes to their implementation and evaluation. A gender responsive budget is ultimately about improving everyday life for people, wherever they live.”
She also welcomed efforts to simplify EU budget rules, while cautioning that simplification must not weaken accountability. Local and regional authorities will need clear guidance, training and support to apply gender budgeting effectively and consistently across territories.
The two day conference brought together representatives from EU institutions, national governments, academia and civil society to discuss how gender budgeting can be strengthened in the negotiations on the next EU budget, ensuring that public investment supports gender equality, social cohesion and inclusive governance across Europe.