Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Promoting Work-Life Balance & Domestic and Gender-based Violence; Let’s give (wo)men a chance

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? Although equality between men and women has long been recognised by the Czech Government as a fundamental right and priority, inequalities persist both in private and public spheres of society. These disparities manifest themselves in the lower participation of women in public and political life, the persistence of gender stereotypes in education and media, as well as a significant pay gap of more than 20%. In addition, domestic and gender-based violence remain serious and widespread problems in the Czech Republic. Women and girls from minority communities face additional obstacles in seeking support and protection from such violence. What will the programme achieve and who are the beneficiaries? The programme promotes gender equality through addressing key obstacles to the equal treatment of women and men. Measures to promote women’s participation in decision making bodies, to improve the balance between work and family life through the provision of child care facilities, and the protection of victims of domestic and gender-based violence are supported under the programme. How will it be achieved? The programme consists of a call for proposals and a small grants scheme and will result in the following:

• The introduction of flexible working arrangements for employees in 20 organisations;

• The establishment of 10 new child care facilities;

• Gender analyses of public policies on national and regional levels;

• Information campaigns to sensitise and raise awareness of equality issues; and

• The introduction of new support services for victims of trafficking, domestic and gender-based violence, including helplines and counselling.

How will bilateral relations be strengthened? Gender equality, the empowerment of women and efforts to tackle domestic and gender-based violence are important priorities both for Norway and for the Czech Republic. The programme will strengthen cooperation and encourage dialogue through project level partnerships between Czech and Norwegian entities. Who can apply for funding under this programme? Public entities on local, regional and national levels, intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and companies are eligible for funding under the programme. Only entities registered in the Czech Republic are eligible as project applicants. The project size will range from €250,000 to €604,839 under the calls for proposals. There will be one call for proposals to be launched in the second half of 2013. A small grants scheme will provide grants ranging from €5,000 to €249,999, and will launch two calls, one in end-2013, and one in 2014. What are the partnership opportunities? The programme is well suited for bilateral project partnerships, and the programme will encourage and support project level partnerships between entities in the Czech Republic and Norway, through facilitating the search for relevant partners. A match making seminar to facilitate the search for partners will be held in 2013, and the programme will make available funds for bilateral cooperation.