The Financial independence and gender equality: Joining the dots between income, wealth and power Report published in May, 2024
2024
​This report presents evidence on gender inequalities in financial independence in the EU, with a particular focus on how financial independence has been defined and measured. It summarises the available data (and its limitations) and explores
different methodologies and approaches for estimating key dimensions of financial independence (income, wealth, power and control) from a gender equality perspective. You can find the PDF version here: LINKS TO THE PDF

Brussels Declaration, An European Manifesto, 2024
2024
The Brussels Declaration represents a collective effort to address gender disparities and advocate for inclusive policies and actions across all EU institutions. With this basis, we are your sparring partners when it comes to deciding the framework for Gender Equality in Europe..
here: LINKS TO THE PDF
​

The FEM ROM 2021 Final report in which WEP participated in support of ROMA and Traveller women and girls, 2023
27 July 2023
The aim of the project was to develop a strategy for the empowerment of Roma and Traveler women and girls especially after the consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic that impacted them in a much greater level. So, the main objective was to create Roma Youth Women Action policy recommendations report applicable for the realities in Greece, Belgium and Sweden.framework for Gender Equality Europe. here: LINKS TO THE PDF

​

The Gender Equality Index of 2023
2023
The Gender Equality Index for the European Union (EU) has surpassed 70 points for the first time, showing a growth of 1.6 points since 2022. This increase in the overall EU score is the highest year-on-year rise since the first edition of the Index in 2013. This was primarily due to the update of the domain oftime, the first such update since 2016, enabled by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) 2022 survey on gender gaps in unpaid care, individual and social activities.
here: LINKS TO THE PDF
Report on WISE4Challenges research presented by WEP to Copa-Cogeca Women's Committee
March 2022
​Through WISE4Challenges, WEP explores how the Green Deal can be an opportunity for promoting the economic empowerment of rural women, as well as helping Europe meet its commitment of climate neutrality.
The purpose of the research was to assess if and how women farmers and rural women entrepreneurs can contribute to the Green Deal (GD) and to the European Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
​Read our report here.

Advocacy Tool: "Strengthening Support for Women Entrepreneurs in COVID-19
​Response and Recovery"​
January 2022
The Advocacy Tool “Strengthening Support for Women Entrepreneurs in COVID-19 Response and Recovery” has been launched by the WE EMPOWER-G7 Programme – with the support of renowned women’s economic empowerment experts across the G7 and the European Union (EU) – and it aims to drive support from stakeholders within the women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem amid COVID-19. It is now available for downloading in English or French here: https://www.weps.org/resource/strengthening-support-women-entrepreneurs-covid-19-response-and-recovery-advocacy-tool 
​
The Missing Entrepreneurs 2021: Policies for inclusive entrepreneurship and self‑employment 
2021
This report examines policies to enhance entrepreneurship among underrepresented groups like women, youth, and immigrants, addressing barriers, COVID-19 impacts, and untapped potential. It includes thematic chapters on microfinance and immigrant entrepreneurs, with country-specific trends, policy issues, and recommendations for all 27 EU member states. You can access the full report on this link.
Why are Women Entrepreneurs missing out on Funding ?
June 2020
​Important questions posed by  European Investment Bank  InnovFin Advisory in their study into the availability of finance for women-owned and managed companies in Europe as compared to the United States.  
​Read their report here

Highlighting Rural Women within EU's Gender Equality Strategy 
Inequality between men and women is not only prominent in urban areas.  COPA-COGECA, the strongest interest group for European farmers, believe it is important to highlight that rural areas, and most importantly rural women, should not be forgotten in the European Union’s strive for gender equality.
​Read their report here
Oct 2020

THE COVID-19 REPORTS

As well as the toll that COVID-19 is taking on lives and health, it places unprecedented stress on the global economy.  
A selection of reports & studies about the impact of COVID-19 on Women and Women-led business is available  here
Jun 2020

A Union of Equality: Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 issued by the European Commission in 2020

The promotion of equality between women and men is a task for the Union, in all its activities, required by the Treaties. Gender equality is a core value of the EU, a fundamental right1 and key principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights2. It is a reflection of who we are. It is also an essential condition for an innovative, competitive and thriving European economy. In business, politics and society as a whole, we can only reach our full potential if we use all of our talent and diversity. PDf here: lINKS TO THE PDF

WA4E Study on Women Business Angels published!

Picture
The study is the result of research being done in the context of the European-funded programme Women Business Angels for Europe’s Entrepreneurs WA4E. The research was led by UK Business Angels Association, the trade body for Angel and early stage investing in the UK in partnership with Angel Academe, a leading angel network focusing on investing in women in technology.
The study found that the main drivers for women to start angel investing were first supporting the local economy by supporting entrepreneurs to grow their business. Another driver was keeping up to date with business and technological innovations and developments, as well as the opportunity of meeting like-minded people and making new friends and contacts with a network. However, there was a lack of awareness of where to find and invest in quality deals, as well as a lack of confidence in the decision-making process of an investment in a small business. To find out more on the results of the survey: here. 

[EVENT] 7th Women Startup Challenge
​25 October 2018


​The 7th Women Startup Challenge, cohosted by the Office of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, will showcase and fund innovative, women-led startups from across Europe that are solving problems for people, businesses, and the planet. Applications were accepted from early stage tech startups with at least one woman co-founder who have raised less than €2.1 million. 

​

[EVENT] Women's International Networking (WIN) to hold Global WINConference
26/27/28 September 2018

This year, Women’s International Networking (WIN), an independent global women’s leadership organisation, will be holding its 2018 Global WinConference in Rome, on 26.27.28th September 2018. Gathering speakers and attendees from all over the world, the event offers plenary session, workshops, forums and networking events. To register, click here. 
​

[EVENT] EMPOWA helps women getting involved in EU program Horizon 2020
​18 September 2018


​EMPOWA, a European Commission funded project, is encouraging women to participate in Horizon 2020, a programme aiming to boost economic growth and jobs. Through its next event, on 18th September 2018, EMPOWA helps women to get involved and engage on this topic. To register, click here.

Tech leaders brought their support to the table at Digital4Her Conference
June 2018

At the end of June, under the Commission’s initiative, Europe’s corporate tech leaders signed a declaration to express their intention to achieve gender balance in their companies and equal opportunities for their human capital. This was set in stone at the Digital4Her Conference, an opportunity to promote equal working rights and a more diverse and inclusive workplace. More information here.
​

Four women entrepreneurs awarded by the European Commission
​June 2018

Last June, the Commission awarded four women entrepreneurs for their outstanding innovations. The 2018 EU Prize for Women Innovators is funded under Horizon 2020, the EU research and innovation programme, and aims to promote and encourage women entrepreneurs in Europe. It also highlights the necessity to have more women entrepreneurs who bring different assets to the table. Read more here.

[EVENT] Women in tech salon
​6 June 2018

The European Commission is organising an event on the 6th June "Women in tech salon - connecting women entrepreneurs from Mediterranean countries". The southern Mediterranean region is closely linked to the EU not only geographically but also culturally and economically. The session aims at stimulating a first-of-its-kind discussion between a mixed audience of entrepreneurs, investors, and policy makers from Mediterranean countries around the opportunities and barriers women tech entrepreneurs are facing when trying to setup/run a business in their countries. It will look into finding commonalities and differences in their experiences with the aim of identifying solutions to overcome them.
The Commission is inviting attendees to fill-in a quick SURVEY which aims at collecting some information regarding the existing initiatives and activities in the region as to help running an informed discussion. Find out more about the event...
​

The first European Women's Council
​​20 March 2018

We attended the launch of the first European Women’s Council in the European Parliament. The WEUCO was established by the European Women Alliance, and is planning on meeting twice a year and give leaders alternative measures for a fairer Europe.
​
Mairead McGuinness, Vice-President of the European Parliament gave an introductory address. She told the assembly that gender equality is a much bigger issue now that it was in the 70s. This initiative should be inclusive, and shouldn’t forget about the realities of the majorities. Heidi Hautala, also Vice-President of the European Parliament said that gender quotas have been highly successful in the elective and that there are competent women, it is just a matter of finding them. Commissioner Violeta Bulc gave a few facts. At the beginning of this Commission, there was 11% of women and now it is 36%. In DG MOVE, there are now 42% of women in senior management positions whereas 3 years ago there was only 20%. In the transport sector as a whole, there is only 32% of women. Commissioner Mariya Gabriel also gave some alarming figures on the presence of women in the digital sector. There are four times more men in the digital sector, the number of women in higher education related to the digital sector is falling and men have five times more chances of getting a job. She called the women in the assembly to support the DG CONNECT strategy of “No women, no panel”.

​MEP Anna-Maria Corazza-Bildt also spoke, calling on President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani to put in the agenda of the next Council meeting (22-23 March) the Istanbul Convention and to keep it there until some real dialogue is had with the 11 Member States who have still not ratified it. Finally, Alessia Centioni from the European Women Alliance reaffirmed that the purpose of the Women’s Council is to put forward a press ambit to partake in the EU debate. 

European Parliament Study on Gender Equality in the EU's digital and media sectors

Picture
This briefing analyzes the risks and benefits finds that new information and communication technologies can be a gateway for women and girls to access new opportunities, means of expression and participation, and a powerful tool for advancing gender equality. In employment, for example, the digital sector offers highly skilled, better-paid jobs that could help to eliminate the gender pay gap. Read more...

1 March 2018 

Co-creating WEgate - 2018 Seminar
31 January 2018

The European Commission is organising an event "Co-creating WEgate - 2018 Seminar" in Brussels on 31st January from 15:00 to 17:00. The event will gather representatives of organisations, companies or public authorities, as well as individuals who are actively engaged in promoting women entrepreneurship across Europe, with a view to foster the exchange of good practices through the European online platform devoted to women entrepreneurship "WEgate" (www.wegate.eu) Register here.
​

EU Prize for Women Innovators 2018 to be launched in ​September 2017

Following the success of the previous editions, in 2018 the European Commission will again award prizes to recognise three of Europe's most innovative female entrepreneurs and one young female innovator. Are you a women entrepreneur? Have you created an outstanding innovation and brought it to market? Can your story inspire others? Applications for the 2018 EU Prize for Women Innovators will open on 5 September 2017.  Read more...
​

European Parliament Study on Gender Equality in the Media

The European Parliament Think Tank has published a study on demand from the European Commission on 'Gender Equality in the Media'.  It examines key elements of the European policy agenda pertaining to gender equality in the media sector. It also reviews existing research on women's representation within media content and the media workforce. The study provides analysis of actions to promote gender equality in the media at both EU and Member State levels.  Read more... ​

​2017 Report on Gender Equality in EU 28

Picture


​A new report on Gender Equality in the EU-28 produced by European Commission and European Institute for Gender Equality.  The report explores six core domains: work, health, knowledge, power, time and money. The most improvement was made in the domain of power, as there was a significant narrowing of the gender gap in national parliaments and corporate boards.  Read more...

European Commission Investors Campaign for the European ​Innovation Council ​

The SME Instrument is launching a call for investment experts! The European Innovation Council will be launched next year. The aim is to provide the top quality services for the European Businesses. Therefore, to hand-pick the best candidates for the SME Instrument, high profile evaluators are seeked with an excellent reputation and unquestionable competences to participate in our pitching interview panels. They will hear out the pre-selected applicants who will need to convince the jury of high level innovation and investment professionals that their proposal is truly worth the investment. As these types of panels are generally heavily populated by men, the Commission wants to set a trend by starting off with a core of highly qualified women professionals.  Read more...

​The European Business Angels project CrossEUWBA launched a ​survey

Co-funded by the European Union, CrossEUWBA aims to facilitate funding for women entrepreneurs through female business angels. It also aims to boost private investment in Europe. The survey focusses on the main success factors and key challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and women business angels. It addresses mainly women entrepreneurs and potential women business angels, but male entrepreneurs, investors and start-up owners are also welcome to take part. The 10-minute questionnaire includes questions on managerial experience, level of awareness about angel investing, women entrepreneurship and gender balance, examples of active women business angels, interest in investing in women-owned businesses and challenges faced by women, etc. The survey’s main findings will be presented later this year. Read more...

​WEgate launched global call for social ventures empowering ​women

 ​Applications closed on 24 July for F>>LANE acceleration programme which gives the opportunities for 5 high-potential, digital impact entrepreneurs focusing on female empowerment to receive social ventures. Selected entrepreneurs are invited to work, learn and live in Berlin during the 6-week course starting October 2017. Participants receive tailored mentoring to rapidly increase their impact. This includes an assessment of the business, individual coaching and experiences to get your venture investment-ready, and a personal mentor experienced with building a business. The F>>LANE opportunity is open to participants from across the world who focus on empowering women and girls by using technology. Read more...