Breaking barriers, building resilience in the EU: gender equality for a future-ready workforce

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) plans to issue a procurement contract for a study titled "Breaking barriers, building resilience in the EU: gender equality for a future-ready workforce." This study aims to analyze gender equality issues in the evolving EU workforce, particularly in the context of technological, digital, and green transitions. The study's focus will include the skills and jobs that are critical for these transitions, as well as examining work conditions, societal requirements, and economic resilience related to education, health, and welfare sectors. Eligible applicants for this project are likely to include research institutes, universities, consulting firms, and organizations with expertise in gender equality and labor market analysis. The type of funding is a service contract, marking a procurement process where EIGE seeks to purchase research services from selected contractors. The opportunity does not explicitly require applicants to form a consortium, though larger organizations or collaboration might be advantageous given the complexity and scope of the project. The geographical scope of this study is the EU, with all EU member states being relevant for conducting the research. Applicants will need proficiency in accessing EU-wide comparative survey data and other necessary data sources. The study will be research-focused and is not about implementation but generating evidence to inform EU policy-making on gender equality. The procurement is classified under research and development consultancy services. While a specific funding amount is not provided, it is categorized as a "middle-value contract," indicating it likely falls within the range of hundreds of thousands of euros. The application process will be open and is expected to involve electronic expressions of interest, with a primary deadline set for August 22, 2025, and an expected launch date for the negotiated procedure on September 5, 2025. The study components will include assessing projected skill supply and demand based on methodologies like Cedefop's Skills Forecast, analyzing the effects of transitions on gender balance, and evaluating working conditions essential for a resilient workforce. Results will directly inform high-level EU policy decisions, enhancing the efficacy of gender equality initiatives. Interested organizations are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming opportunity and participate in the pre-announcement stage. In summary, this procurement opportunity represents a significant endeavor by EIGE to address gender disparities in the EU labor market, with an emphasis on evidence-based research leading to actionable policy recommendations.

This is a pre-information notice, not a call for tenders. It announces the European Institute for Gender Equality's (EIGE) intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. The procedure identifier is EIGE/VNO/2025/MVP/0009-EXA.

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) plans to award a middle-value contract for a study on gender equality for a future-ready workforce supported by relevant skills and gender-inclusive and resilient workplaces in the EU. The study aims to monitor the EU's commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action and guide the Council in making EU policies more effective in achieving gender equality objectives.

The study will provide a gender analysis of the challenges and opportunities in ensuring relevant skills and working conditions, especially work-life balance supportive workplaces, for a future-ready workforce (competitive, resilient, and inclusive) in the EU. The study will focus on the two most gender-segregated and resilience-critical areas of the economies:

1. The skills and jobs critical for the technological, digital, and green transitions.

2. The skills and jobs essential for ensuring societal and economic resilience – strong education, health, and welfare (EHW).

The study will have the following components:

1. Elaboration on the concepts of a resilient workforce and workplace, identifying key sectors, occupations, and skills relevant to the green, digital, and technological transitions. It will emphasize the role of strong EHW (education, health, and welfare) jobs and skills, which are critical for a resilient and future-ready workforce, even though STEM fields are often prioritized.

2. Assessment of projected skill supply and demand in selected EU sectors (e.g., based on Cedefop's Skills Forecast methodology). Analysis of how green, digital, and tech transitions affect gender balance or disparities within selected sectors. Testing of at least two skills projection scenarios for gender equality: one maintaining current trends and another reflecting increased women's participation in relevant fields.

3. Examination, based on literature review, of working conditions in key sectors to ensure a resilient workforce and sustainable, work-life balance–friendly workplaces. Focus on factors such as workplace culture, support systems, informal care and access to care services, mental well-being, working time, flexibility, and lifelong learning. Estimation of the impact of selected gender-responsive advancements—such as more women in managerial roles, flexible work, and quality care access—on attracting and retaining women in sectors affected by green, digital, and technological transitions.

The study is expected to draw on desk research and literature review, incorporating available quantitative and qualitative data from academia, civil society, social partners, and governmental institutions. This includes high-quality, EU-wide comparative survey data where relevant. Access to and analysis of relevant microdata is also expected.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The estimated total value is not specified. The lead contracting authority is the European Institute for Gender Equality. The main classification (CPV) code is 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 13 months. There is no framework agreement.

Milestones:

Start date for expression of interest:2025-08-07 Europe/Brussels

Deadline for expression of interest:23/08/2025 04:59 Europe/Vilnius

Indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure:2025-09-05 Europe/Vilnius

Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given below. The method of expression of interest is electronic. To express interest, click on "Express interest".

A frequently asked question is:Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is: References that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders. They are a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure. This was published on 03/10/2024 17:32.

In summary, this is a pre-information notice regarding a forthcoming opportunity from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). EIGE intends to commission a study to analyze gender equality issues within the EU workforce, particularly focusing on skills, workplace resilience, and the impact of green, digital, and technological transitions. The study will aim to inform EU policy and promote gender equality in the context of a changing labor market. Interested parties can express their interest electronically, with the expression of interest period opening on August 7, 2025, and closing on August 23, 2025. The actual call for tenders is expected to be launched around September 5, 2025. This is not a tender invitation but a notification of a future opportunity.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of the contract for a study, it is likely that eligible applicants could include research institutes, universities, consulting firms, and other organizations with expertise in gender equality, labor market analysis, and relevant social sciences.

Funding Type:The funding type is a service contract. The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) intends to award a contract for a study.

Consortium Requirement:The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. This will likely be detailed in the future call for tenders.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility is the EU, as the study focuses on gender equality and workforce readiness within the European Union.

Target Sector:The program targets several interconnected sectors: gender equality, employment, skills, education, health, welfare, digital economy, green economy, and technological transitions. It specifically focuses on skills and jobs critical for technological, digital, and green transitions, as well as those essential for ensuring societal and economic resilience through strong education, health, and welfare systems.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the EU as a whole.

Project Stage:The project stage is research. The opportunity is for a study to be conducted, implying a research-oriented project.

Funding Amount:The funding amount is described as a "middle/low value contract." While a specific range isn't provided, this suggests the contract value is likely to be in the range of tens or hundreds of thousands of euros, rather than millions.

Application Type:The application type will be a negotiated procedure. The announcement indicates the contracting authority’s intention to publish a future negotiated procedure. The first step is to express interest electronically.

Nature of Support:The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services, specifically the delivery of a study on gender equality and workforce readiness.

Application Stages:The application stages involve at least two steps: expressing interest and then participating in the negotiated procedure. There may be further stages within the negotiated procedure itself.

Success Rates:The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text, as this is just a preliminary announcement.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not specify whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This is a pre-announcement from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) regarding a future contract opportunity. EIGE plans to commission a study on gender equality in the EU workforce, focusing on skills, resilience, and inclusivity in the context of digital, green, and technological transitions. The study aims to monitor the EU's commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action and inform EU policies on gender equality. The study will analyze challenges and opportunities in ensuring relevant skills and working conditions, particularly work-life balance, in key sectors such as technology, digital, green industries, education, health, and welfare. The selected contractor will be expected to conduct desk research, literature reviews, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data from various sources, including EU-wide surveys and microdata. The procedure will be a negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. Organizations interested in participating in this future tender are invited to express their interest electronically, with the expression of interest period starting on August 7, 2025, and ending on August 23, 2025. The indicative date for the launch of the negotiated procedure is September 5, 2025. This announcement serves as an early notice to allow potential bidders to prepare for the upcoming opportunity.