PLATFORMA calls for a stronger role for local and regional governments in the EU Gender Action Plan IV

As the European Union prepares its next Gender Action Plan for External Action (GAP IV), PLATFORMA is calling for local and regional governments (LRGs) to be recognised as strategic partners in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide. The new Policy Position argues that sustainable and transformative progress on gender equality can only be achieved by fully integrating the territorial dimension of development cooperation.

Gender equality and feminist policies are currently facing growing resistance globally, against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, increasing inequalities and shifting political priorities. In this context, PLATFORMA welcomes the preparation of GAP IV as a key opportunity to reinforce the European Union’s commitment to gender equality and strengthen a gender-transformative approach in external action.

Gender equality starts locally

According to PLATFORMA, gender inequalities are experienced and addressed at territorial level. Local and regional governments are responsible for many policy areas that directly shape women’s lives, including public services, care systems, housing, mobility, public safety, local economic development and access to civil documentation. As the level of government closest to citizens, they are uniquely positioned to tackle inequalities and promote women’s rights.

The policy position stresses that local and regional governments are not only implementers of development projects. They are democratic institutions with the legitimacy, capacity and political mandate to combat gender-based violence, support women’s participation in public life and build partnerships with local civil society and women’s rights organisations.

From recognition to genuine multilevel governance

GAP IV represents a key opportunity to move beyond the rhetorical recognition of local and regional governments and establish robust and structural multilevel governance. We call on the EU to institutionalise a multilevel governance approach, embed a Territorial Approach to Local Development (TALD) and build on successful initiatives such as the CEMR European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life.

Among its recommendations, PLATFORMA urges the European Commission to establish permanent territorial coordination mechanisms within Team Europe initiatives, strengthen dialogue between EU Delegations, national governments and local authorities, and ensure that territorial priorities are systematically reflected in Country-Level Implementation Plans.

Supporting gender equality in fragile contexts

The policy position highlights the crucial role played by local and regional governments in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Where state institutions are weakened, municipalities and regions often remain the most accessible public institutions for citizens, ensuring continued access to essential services and supporting community resilience.

PLATFORMA therefore calls for GAP IV to strengthen the role of local authorities in peacebuilding, recovery and resilience efforts, including through the provision of gender-responsive public services, protection of women’s housing and property rights, restoration of civil registries, and the creation of safe spaces for women and girls.

Advancing women’s political participation

Women’s representation in politics remains a major challenge worldwide. PLATFORMA underlines that local and regional institutions often serve as the first step in women’s political careers and therefore play a pivotal role in strengthening democratic participation.

PLATFORMA calls on the EU to support local initiatives that promote women’s leadership, address structural barriers to political participation and tackle violence against women in politics, including online harassment. It also emphasises the value of decentralised cooperation in strengthening women’s leadership networks and exchanging good practices between territories.

Putting gender equality at the heart of Global Gateway

PLATFORMA argues that the EU’s flagship investment strategy, Global Gateway, can only achieve lasting local impact if local and regional governments are involved throughout the investment cycle. Their responsibilities for territorial planning, service delivery and local development place them in a unique position to connect large-scale investments with community needs.

The policy position calls for stronger gender-sensitive investment planning, including comprehensive gender impact assessments and greater support for women-led businesses, local economic ecosystems and care infrastructure. Particular emphasis is placed on recognising care systems as a foundation for women’s economic participation and social inclusion.

Stronger targets and accountability

Finally, PLATFORMA stresses that gender-transformative change requires clear targets, accountability mechanisms and localised monitoring systems. We warn against any weakening of existing gender equality commitments in the future EU external financing framework.

Among its key proposals is the introduction of a benchmark requiring that at least 20% of EU external actions with gender equality as a significant or principal objective be implemented in partnership with, or channelled through, local and regional governments. The policy position also calls for stronger collection of local gender data and the development of territorial dashboards to monitor progress.

A call for a territorial feminist approach

For PLATFORMA, the next Gender Action Plan represents a unique opportunity to move beyond traditional gender mainstreaming towards a truly intersectional feminist approach to development cooperation. By placing local and regional governments at the centre of implementation, monitoring and decision-making, the EU can strengthen local ownership, improve effectiveness and deliver lasting progress for women and girls around the world.

For detailed recommendations, read the full PLATFORMA GAP IV Policy Position.