Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Funding through CERV programme aims at protecting rights and values enshrined in the EU treaties in order to sustain open, democratic and inclusive societies.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) in accordance with the 2026-27 Work Programme, the call for proposals “Call for proposals to gender equality” – CERV-2026-GE, has opened for the submission of proposals.
The objective of this call is to support, advance and implement comprehensive policies to promote women’s full enjoyment of rights, including work-life balance, women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming, and combat gender violence.
The call covers the following topics representing 4 call priorities:
- Priority 1- Topic 1: Supporting work-life balance, equal share of care responsibilities, family-friendly policies among employers and the value of care sector jobs – CERV-2026-GE-WORK-LIFE.
- Priority 2- Topic 2: Promoting and supporting the implementation of the provisions of the Pay Transparency Directive and respect of equal pay for equal work and work of equal value – CERV-2026-GE-PAY-TRANSP-DIR;
- Priority 3- Topic 3: Supporting equal participation and representation of women and men in economic and political decision-making – CERV-2026-GE-EQUAL-PART-REP;
- Priority 4- Topic 4: Tackling gender stereotypes in media and advertising – CERV-2026-GE-GENDER-STEREO;
Detailed Call Description
The expected results for Topic 1:
- Increased awareness of policy measures, particularly those set out in the Work-Life Balance Directive, and a higher number of good practice examples by companies and public authorities that contribute to gender equality in the workplace and balanced work-life integration;
- Better identification of barriers to gender equality, including obstacles to equal sharing of care and domestic work, and challenges in accessing family leave and family-friendly working time arrangements;
- Increased knowledge of working conditions in care work and the value of care work;
- Improved awareness of policy measures and good practice examples that lead to more sustainable working conditions in care work and that address gender segregation in the care sector;
- Improved work-life balance for all genders over the life course, reduced gender care gaps, and greater gender equality.
The expected results for Topic 2:
- Increased awareness of the Pay Transparency Directive and its benefits for the EU economy and workers’ rights;
- Improved national and organisational capacities to report on the gender pay gap;
- Increased capacity of social partners to negotiate and revise collective agreements in line with the requirements of the Pay Transparency Directive;
- Increased capacity and empowerment of workers, equality bodies and civil society organisations to negotiate fair working conditions and defend their rights;
- More transparent pay systems and better detection of indirect pay discrimination related to the undervaluation of jobs typically done by women and those in correctional facilities;
- Increased awareness of the purpose and benefits of gender-neutral job evaluations and classification systems.
The expected results for Topic 3:
- Contribution to the achievement of equal representation of women and men in governments and national/regional/local parliaments and assemblies;
- Improved design, implementation and monitoring of policies at national, regional and local level to ensure balanced gender representation in decision-making roles across politics, public life and corporate leadership and management;
- Increased capacity of national, regional and local authorities and their associations, civil society organisations (in particular women’s CSOs) and the media to overcome barriers to women’s representation in politics, public debate and management positions in the corporate sector;
- Strengthened cooperation and increased networking and exchange of information between Member State governments, local and regional authorities and their associations, equality bodies, civil society organisations, in particular women’s organisations, the media and academics;
- Increased awareness and better implementation of the Women on Boards Directive in Member States.
The expected results for Topic 4:
- Counter gender stereotypes and negative gender roles in media, including social media, and in advertising by raising awareness and training those who are in daily contact with the target groups, especially young people;
- Shifts in attitudes and behaviour towards gender roles among the general population and particular groups, e.g. relevant professionals, witnesses and bystanders, vulnerable groups;
- Empowerment of individuals – particularly children and young people – through positive gender portrayals that promote self-worth and freedom from restrictive expectations.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
90%
The total indicative budget of the present call is €23.000.000. Requested grant amounts cannot be lower than € 100 000 and higher than €500.000 in all priorities.
For topic 1: CERV-2026-GE-WORK-LIFE the budget is €7.000.000.
For Topic 2: CERV-2026-GE-PAY-TRANSP-DIR the budget is €5.000.000.
For Topic 3: CERV-2026-GE-EQUAL-PART-REP the budget is €6.000.000.
For Topic 4: CERV-2026-GE-GENDER-STEREO the budget is €5.000.000.
The grant awarded may be lower than the amount requested.
The grant will be a lump sum grant. This means that it will reimburse a fixed amount, based on a lump sum or financing not linked to costs. The amount will be fixed by the granting authority on the basis of the estimated project budget and a funding rate of 90%.
Projects must range between 12 and 24 months.
Thematic Categories
- Education and training
- Social Affairs & Human Rights
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Educational Institutions
- Legal Entities
- NGOs
- Other Beneficiaries
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies), established an EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)) or countries associated to the CERV Programme or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature (list of participating countries). Organisations which are profit-oriented may apply only in partnership with public entities or private non-profit organisations. Activities must take place in any of the eligible countries. The project can be either national or transnational.
Applicants targeted: National, local and regional authorities and their associations, social partners (workers and business representatives), labour inspectorates, equality bodies and civil society organisations, in particular women’s rights organisations.
Consortium composition
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 2 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities nor associated partners), which complies with the following conditions:
- the beneficiaries must be public entities or private organisations, duly established in one of the eligible countries, or an international organisation. Organisations which are profit-oriented must submit applications in partnership with public entities or private non-profit organisations.
Other conditions: The lead applicant (i.e.“Coordinator”) cannot submit more than one application under this call for proposals, across all priorities/topics. In case of multiple proposals submitted by the same lead applicant, all the proposals will be rejected and will not be evaluated further.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Organization for European Programmes and Cultural Relations
Head of CERV Contact Point
Nenad Bogdanovic
Email: nb@epcr.org.cy
Website: www.epcr.org.cy