Regional project promoting gender equality among top finalists of the 2026 GIZ Gender Awards

Efforts to close the global gender gap continue to require strong commitment and innovative solutions. According to global estimates, it could take up to 123 years to close the gender gap at the current pace, highlighting the urgent need for effective and scalable initiatives that promote gender equality.

Against this backdrop, the 2026 GIZ Gender Awards showcase impactful approaches and practical solutions that address gender inequality worldwide. Among the top ten finalists is the regional project “Social Inclusion of Disadvantaged Groups in the Western Balkans” (SoRi), which focuses on improving social inclusion and access to services for vulnerable groups across the region.

The project’s submission titled “From Evidence to Action: How to Design Social Service Through a Gender Lens” demonstrates how integrating gender equality considerations from the very beginning of project design can significantly strengthen impact. By applying a participatory and intersectional approach, the project conducted social mapping that generated valuable data used to inform policy amendments and guide the development of inclusive social services.

As a result, daycare and mobile outreach services were designed and introduced in 11 municipalities across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. These services have benefited more than 800 individuals from disadvantaged groups, including 280 children with disabilities, 300 parents, 60 adults with intellectual disabilities, and 170 elderly women and men.

Throughout the implementation, particular attention was given to the specific needs of women and girls within or connected to these groups, ensuring that gender equality remained a central element of the interventions.

Building on the achievements of SoRi, a new regional initiative titled “Advancing Socioeconomic Participation in Municipalities in the Western Balkans” (SPARK) continues these efforts. Implemented in partnership with the Network of Associations of Local Authorities in the Western Balkans, the project places women and girls at the core of its activities, translating evidence into gender responsive social services and inclusive employment opportunities across the region.

The recognition at the GIZ Gender Awards highlights the importance of evidence based and gender sensitive approaches in designing policies and services that support inclusive development in the Western Balkans.