With International Women’s Day approaching on 8 March, the EU’s €110 billion investment in gender equality takes center stage. Through cohesion policy, these funds support women’s employment, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion, driving regional development across Europe.

As International Women’s Day approaches on 8 March, it is the perfect time to reflect on the crucial role EU cohesion policy plays in advancing gender equality. For the 2021-2027 period, the EU has allocated €110 billion — more than 30% of total cohesion policy investment — to support this cause. Gender equality is not only a cornerstone of fundamental rights and functioning democracies, but also a vital driver of economic growth, particularly in less developed regions. Studies estimate that greater gender equality could increase EU GDP per capita by up to 9.6% by 2050.

Addressing Structural Barriers

Despite progress, true gender equality still faces numerous obstacles. One of the most pressing issues is the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work carried by women. In the EU, 94% of employed women perform unpaid care work several times a week, compared to 70% of employed men. This imbalance contributes to women’s lack of free time and financial independence. Furthermore, women’s hourly earnings remain on average 13% lower than those of men — a gap that has changed little over the last decade.

Women’s exclusion from economic opportunities and decision-making also remains a challenge. Female entrepreneurship has grown steadily, yet women still represent only 29% of EU entrepreneurs. The gender employment gap is also significant, with 78.5% of men and 67.7% of women in work. Political representation also lags behind, with women making up only 35% of municipal councillors in the EU.

Cohesion Policy’s Role in Promoting Equality

EU cohesion policy actively works to eliminate these disparities by promoting gender equality at all stages of its programmes. Member States must establish national gender equality policy frameworks and ensure compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Funding under cohesion policy is tied to these commitments, with gender tracking mechanisms monitoring expenditure and its impact on equality.

Funding Channels and Investments

Of the €110 billion dedicated to promoting gender equality, €105 billion supports gender mainstreaming. Denmark and Sweden lead the way, using 85% of their cohesion policy investments for both targeted and mainstreaming actions, while Austria dedicates 18% solely to targeted measures.

For 2021-2027, EU legislation governing cohesion policy has strengthened the gender dimension of all three relevant funds: the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the largest contributor to cohesion policy funding for gender equality; the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); and the Just Transition Fund (JTF).

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) plays a leading role, supporting work-life balance, women’s employment, and access to affordable care. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) complements these efforts with investments in research, SME growth, and renewable energy. The Just Transition Fund (JTF) helps address gender-related challenges in the transition to climate neutrality, promoting women’s participation in upskilling, entrepreneurship, and workplace representation.

Concrete Actions and Success Stories

Across the EU, numerous projects showcase the impact of cohesion policy on gender equality. In the Île-de-France region, the Women and Construction project has been training women for jobs in the construction sector for 30 years, with over 60% of participants securing employment. The Women Business Hub in the Croatian-Serbian border region fosters female entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, helping women start their own businesses.

Austria’s 100 Percent project works to close the gender pay gap by providing consultancy services to companies, promoting transparent pay structures and broader opportunities for women in the workplace. In Poland, cohesion policy funding supported the establishment of a breast unit at the Lower Silesian Oncology Centre in Wroclaw, providing vital diagnostic and treatment services while creating 19 jobs, 17 of them for women.

Efforts to combat gender-based violence are also a key focus. In Murcia, Spain, a project supports survivors’ social inclusion and labour market integration through training and childcare grants, helping around 220 women annually achieve economic independence.

A Collaborative Approach for Lasting Change

Recognising the importance of integrated efforts, seven cities — including La Rochelle, Frankfurt, and Barcelona — formed the Genderedlandscape network to make their policies and services more gender-equal. Umeå, Sweden, leads the way with innovative approaches like guided bus tours examining urban planning from a gender perspective, inspiring other cities to adopt similar strategies.

By addressing gender disparities across diverse sectors, EU cohesion policy not only promotes equality but also strengthens regional development and economic resilience. Through continued investment and collaboration, Europe moves closer to building an inclusive and equitable future for all.