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Description
The project aims to create a "Network of Local Authorities for Equality”, involving a partnership composed by 9 Municipalities representing different portuguese regions: Amadora, Cascais, Palmela, Vila Nova de Gaia, Mangualde, Póvoa de Lanhoso, Loulé, Aljezur e Odemira.
The Project, with the duration of 36 months, intends, as its main goals, to:
- Establish a network of municipalities to learn from each other in order to improve the equality between women and men and work life balance, identifying existing good practices and creating positive and innovative actionable measures to be incorporated by other municipalities;
- Empowering project partner municipalities to implement and validate a set of methodologies and tools to promote gender equality and work-life balance in the municipalities;
- Promote community forums, with the population and local public and private entities, in order to listen to their perceptions and needs in matters of equality and non-discrimination between women and men, and work-life balance;
- Promote a final seminar to disseminate project products and outputs.
Summary of project results
This project aimed to create a network of municipalities promoting gender equality and work-life balance. Together, they sought to test validated tools and methods to identify existing good practices and create new positive, innovative actions that could be adopted by other municipalities.
The project mobilized 31 municipalities, exceeding the original goal of 24, to participate in a network promoting gender equality. It organized 14 certified training sessions, reaching 227 local professionals from 21 municipalities, and 8 additional sessions for 115 participants from public and private organizations. The project also implemented gender equality management systems in municipalities and launched a national awareness campaign on shared family responsibilities. Additionally, the project’s impact was rigorously evaluated, involving 1,262 participants, with over 75% reporting positive changes in perceptions and behaviors. Detailed reports were produced on the training and awareness activities, ensuring comprehensive tracking of results.
The project "Network of Municipalities for Equality" aimed to reduce social disparities between women and men, benefiting both municipalities and their populations. For the 31 participating municipalities, the project impacted two key areas:
Internal/Organizational Impact: The municipalities integrated gender equality principles into their human resource policies, promoting better work-life balance and sustainability through innovative management solutions. This improved internal operations and fostered equality within their organizations.
External Impact: Externally, the project strengthened the municipalities’ role in addressing social, educational, and economic issues. The close connection with local populations made them key drivers in promoting women’s participation in political, social, and cultural life, while challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes.
Summary of bilateral results
The collaboration with the Centre for Gender and Equality at the University of Agder was crucial, highlighted by a study visit to Norway that sparked interest among partner municipalities in sharing experiences and gaining new insights. The expertise of the Norwegian partners, along with the quality of the visit''s program, played a significant role in the success of this cooperation. Additionally, a representative from Norway, Rasha Abdallah, participated in the project''s final seminar in Cascais on April 16, 2024, presenting local gender equality practices. The transnational partner also contributed to the project''s impact evaluation, emphasizing the benefits of bilateral cooperation and effective exchange of experiences, tools, and indicators for promoting equality.