Workshop on the Implementation of EU Criteria on Gender Equality Podgorica, November 2013 Sara Slana European Institute for Gender Equality

REGULATION on establishing a European Institute for Gender Equality (2006) Article 3 (tasks) EIGE shall provide information to the Community Institutions on gender equality and gender mainstreaming in the accession and candidate countries. Article 19 The Institute shall be open to the participation of countries which have concluded agreements with the European Community by virtue of which they have adopted and apply Community legislation in the field covered by this Regulation.

EIGE's Cooperation with candidate countries and potential candidates In 2013, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) was asked to participate in the Instrument for Pre- accession Assistance (IPA)

Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) project: “Preparatory measures for the participation of candidate countries and potential candidates in EIGE’s work” Establish contacts, assess the needs and expectations of the enlargement countries Explore ways/forms of further cooperation with EIGE in the area of gender equality Strengthen the capacity of enlargement countries to comply with the EU policies in the field of gender equality

Objectives of the project supporting relevant authorities in aligning standards and practices with those applied in the European Union, to promote a harmonised approach in the field of gender equality and gender mainstreaming; boosting expertise and institutional capacity to properly implement and enforce obligations that will arise from EU policies; providing officials from state administrations with technical knowledge of the EU gender equality policy; including information collected into EIGE’s research projects; enhancing communication and information sharing between candidate countries and potential candidates, EIGE and the EU Members States

- Technical meetings to identify in coordination with the beneficiary countries the needs and expectations towards further cooperation with EIGE in the area of gender equality. - In-country events on specific subjects identified on the basis of the needs expressed by beneficiary countries - Participation of national experts from candidate countries and potential candidates in specific meetings, conferences and study visits organised by EIGE Main activities

First Meeting With Officials From Candidate Countries And Potential Candidates (12 June 2013 in Brussels) 2nd Meeting Of Officials From Candidate Countries And Potential Candidates, Istanbul, Turkey (6 November 2013 in Istanbul) – hosting by Turkey International High-level Meeting “Progress In Women’s Human Rights In The 3rd Year Of The Istanbul Convention” (7 November 2013 in Istanbul) – organized by Turkey Events

Launch Conference of the Gender Equality Index (13 June in Brussels) Experts’ Forum Meeting (30 September 2013 in Vilnius) Opening of the Resource and Documentation Centre (1 October 2013 in Vilnius) Conference on Eliminating Violence Against Women in Europe ( November 2013 in Vienna) Events

Official visits to support recognition and integration of gender aspect into country strategy papers and other accession strategies and programs

FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Mr Fatmir Besimi, Deputy Prime Minister For European Affairs REPUBLIC OF TURKEY Mr Egemen BAĞIŞ, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Official visits

REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO Mr Aleksandar Pejović, the State Secretary and Chief EU negotiator REPUBLIC OF SERBIA Ms Tanja Miščević, the Chief Negotiator for Negotiations on Accession to the European Union Mr Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Official visits

REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO Agency For Gender Equality REPUBLIC OF TURKEY Directorate General on the Status of Women, Ministry of Family and Social Policies REPUBLIC OF SERBIA Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Unit, Office of the Minister for European Integration Study visits

Collecting policy documents, “grey literature”, books and other relevant publications on gender equality in candidate countries and potential candidates in the physical library in Vilnius Europe House (visible and accessible to general public) and in EIGE’s online catalogue of digital resources Other Activities

Relevant stakeholders were invited to join EIGE’s European Network on Gender Equality (EUROGENDER) and to participate in future online discussions to facilitate dialogue among different stakeholders from Europe and beyond, enabling them to share information, knowledge, resources and data, to develop joint projects with relevant partners and analyse topics on gender equality. EUROGENDER

White Ribbon Campaign Officials launch of the campaign: Friday 29 November (12.30 EET) More information: More information:

Exchange of good practices on female entrepreneurship during the Greek presidency (27-28 February 2013) new IPA project in additional funding for EIGE (written proposals to be send until Monday, 9 December 2013 – PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Contacts Virginija Langbakk – Director Thérèse Murphy –Head of Operations Sara Slana – Gender Equality & EU Enlargement Countries Agent More information about EIGE’s cooperation with Enlargement countries: candidates European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) Giedimino pr. 16 LT Vilnius Lithuania Switchboard: