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DRAFT REPORT (2025/2033(INI))

On the 2024 budget – assessing the implementation of the gender mainstreaming methodology in the EU budget

CONT-PR-775770

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Marit Maij

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This draft report assesses the implementation of the gender mainstreaming methodology in the EU budget for 2021-2024. It notes the methodology's limitations and calls for a comprehensive approach to gender budgeting for the next programming period. The report calls on the Commission to develop a fully fledged gender budgeting methodology, conduct ex ante impact assessments, set legally binding spending targets, and ensure gender equality in EU institutions and external actions.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament adopt a resolution assessing the implementation of the gender mainstreaming methodology, noting its limitations, and calling for a comprehensive gender budgeting approach for the next MFF.

Key points

  1. Notes that the Commission's methodology assigns scores from 0 to 2 to interventions based on their contribution to gender equality, with 2 for principal objective and 1 for important but not main objective.
  2. Reports that in 2024, out of EUR 195 billion in commitments, 3% scored 2, 17% scored 1, 65% scored 0, and 16% scored 0*.
  3. Notes that over 2021-2024, 12% of EU budget expenditure contributed to gender equality, amounting to EUR 158.4 billion, based on the Commission's reassessment.
  4. Regrets that the methodology cannot assess administrative budgets, account for secondary or negative impacts, or influence policy design ex ante.
  5. Calls on the Commission to develop a comprehensive gender budgeting methodology for the next programming period, integrated throughout the budget cycle.
  6. Calls for ex ante impact assessments that analyze gender impacts and for no legislative proposals that would decrease gender equality to be adopted.
  7. Urges the establishment of a 'gender equality safeguard mechanism' to suspend or revise proposals that undermine gender equality.
  8. Calls for legally binding minimum share of EU budget for gender equality as principal objective and a quantitative target for the next programming period.
  9. Calls for at least 90% of EU external actions to contribute to gender equality and 25% of external financing instruments to promote gender equality as principal objective.
  10. Calls on the Commission to eliminate the gender pay gap within EU institutions by 2030 and to apply gender budgeting in male-dominated sectors.

Who is affected

  • The European Commission, which is called on to develop new methodologies and set targets.
  • EU institutions, which are urged to address gender pay gaps and improve gender balance.
  • Civil society organisations and other partners, called on to make gender budgeting a reality.
  • Sectors such as competitiveness, defence, and preparedness, which are noted for poor gender equality contributions.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 195 billion in commitments for 2024, with 3% score 2, 17% score 1, 65% score 0, 16% score 0*.
  • EUR 158.4 billion: total EU budget expenditure contributing to gender equality in 2021-2024 (12%).
  • 90% of EU external actions and 25% of external financing instruments to contribute to gender equality.
  • 2030: goal for eliminating the gender pay gap within EU institutions.

Legal basis: Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on European Union; Articles 8, 10 and 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; Articles 21 and 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights