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Palme Center secures new funding to strengthen gender equality in Ukraine’s reconstruction
The Palme Center has secured funding from the Swedish Institute for a new cooperation project in Ukraine. Together with the Ukrainian organisation Centre of United Actions, the Palme Center will work to strengthen gender equality in the labour market and provide Ukrainian authorities with practical tools to translate EU gender equality principles into policy and practice. The project is part of the Swedish Institute’s new initiative to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and EU integration.The war has deepened Ukraine’s demographic crisis and created major challenges for the country’s labour market. Millions of people have been displaced, while limited access to childcare and the unequal distribution of care responsibilities restrict many women’s opportunities to work and achieve economic independence. Strengthening women’s economic independence and creating better conditions for combining work and family life are therefore important parts of Ukraine’s reconstruction.
From EU principles to practical policy
Through the project INTEGRATE – People First: Building a Gender-Equal and Inclusive Demographic Future for Ukraine, the Palme Center and Centre of United Actions will strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian authorities to integrate gender equality into labour market and social policy. Among other things, the project will help national and regional authorities better assess how policy decisions on issues such as childcare, parental leave and labour market measures affect women and men.
“Even in the midst of war, Ukraine is working towards its future and EU membership. We want to help ensure that gender equality, access to employment and economic independence become integral parts of the country’s reconstruction. By combining Swedish experience with the knowledge of our Ukrainian partners, we can contribute to concrete change,” says Oscar Ernerot, Secretary General of the Palme Center.
Over the course of the 18-month project, the organisations will assess the needs of public authorities, provide training and facilitate exchanges of experience with Swedish counterparts. The project will also produce practical guidance, including methods and tools that Ukrainian authorities can continue to use. In this way, the project will support the implementation of Ukraine’s National Demographic Strategy through 2040 and contribute to the country’s alignment with EU rules and standards on gender equality, employment and social policy.
Contact: Anh Helge, Region Representative, Eastern Europe, anh.helge@palmecenter.se
The Swedish Institute has awarded a total of SEK 51 million to 26 new cooperation projects between Swedish and Ukrainian organisations. The projects will contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction, democratic development and EU integration, with a particular focus on innovation, transparency and gender equality.The Palme Center’s new project has received SEK 2 million in funding and will be implemented together with the Ukrainian civil society organisation Centre of United Actions. Read more on the Swedish Institute’s website.
