Fe/male progress for coal exit and transition in Lusatia - our message to Europe!

The TRAWOS Institute with the Alliance of Lusatian Municipal Equal Opportunities Officers in Brussels

© Alexander Louvet

From October 24-27, 2023, the Alliance of Municipal Equal Opportunities Officers of Lusatia, represented by Aline Erdmann (City of Cottbus), Fränzi Straßberger (City of Bautzen), Johanna Fischer (District of Oberspreewald - Lausitz), Lisa Temesvári-Alamer (District of Spree - Neisse), Marika Vetter (District of Görlitz), Korina Jenßen (City of Hoyerswerda), traveled together with Dr. Julia Gabler and Marie Melzer from the TRAWOS Institute/University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz to Brussels at the invitation of the Saxon Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality (SMJusDEG) and the Brandenburg Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection (MSGIV). The aim was to present findings from the development of structural change in Lusatia to date as well as questions and demands on the process for a gender-equitable transformation to representatives of various European institutions and to discuss the topic of gender equality in European transformation processes.

As a strong sign of support, the alliance was accompanied by the two ministers Katja Meier and Ursula Nonnemacher, the two state secretaries Dr. Gesine Märtens and Dr. Antje Töpfer and the Brandenburg State Commissioner for Gender Equality (LGBA) Manuela Dörnenburg. Ska Keller, Member of the European Parliament, also supported the trip.

A good time for the trip

Negotiations are currently underway in Brussels on the criteria for the next European funding period from 2028 to 2034: this will set the course for what is to work in the municipalities and strengthen the regions. The right moment to contribute experiences from the municipalities.

Thekey messages were:

  1. Strengthening bottom-up processes, such as the alliance of municipal equal opportunities officers, in order to take local people seriously and incorporate their expertise into political action.
  2. Strong political commitment of the European Union to gender equality, especially in the promotion of transition regions, as it is a decisive factor for socio-economic development. This applies in particular to EU cohesion and structural policy (especially ESF Plus, ERDF, Just Transition Fund JTF).
  3. The creation of gender-sensitive structures in structural change processes is a democratic imperative. This includes equal participation formats and the gender-equitable use of public funds.
  4. Stringent implementation of gender aspects, particularly in the design of programs, the consistent application of the gender mainstreaming approach in their monitoring and stronger monitoring of operational European programs with regard to the implementation of these requirements (evaluation).
Gender equality and the socio-ecological transformation are struggling:

We will not succeed in structural change if women and men are not equally involved in its development and decision-making, i.e. if they are not able to bear responsibility.

Two days of intensive discussions - interested, focused and at eye level

These topics were discussed with representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European Committee of the Regions and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions; also how existing instruments can be further developed and used more effectively, for example to what extent the European Charter for Equality between Women and Men at local and regional level can be a helpful instrument for municipalities to translate equality into concrete measures.

All of the discussion partners emphasized the importance of communicating local experiences for their actions in Brussels.

The two-day expert exchange and the numerous personal contacts have laid the first foundations for a Europe-wide and cross-level network of stakeholders involved in structural change issues.

The municipal equal opportunities officers are lone fighters and can only work on equal opportunities aspects in their municipal administrative unit, but not how EU funds are used.
Lisa Temesvári Alamer and Aline Erdmann

Participants in the discussion:

  • Alexandra Geese, MEP
  • Eva Gerhards, Deputy Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Helena Dalli
  • Monika Hencsey, Director in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy
  • Katja Lenzing, Deputy Head of Unit in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
  • Rachel Lancry Beaumont, Head of Unit at the COTER Commission of the European Committee of the Regions
  • Dr. Claudia Schöning-Kalender, Chair of the Equal Opportunities Committee of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions
  • Karen Kühne, German Section of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions
  • Dr. Arn Sauer, Director of the Federal Foundation for Gender Equality
  • Egbert Holthuis, Head of Unit DG Employment, Social Affairs and Integration
  • Matthias Ecke, MEP 
  • Nicklas Nienaß, MEP
  • Karolin Braunsberg-Reinhold, MEP
  • Dr. Cornelia Ernst, MEP
"On the one hand, we need projects that explicitly promote female perspectives and, on the other, every project should have to take a stand on how it wants to promote gender equality. In order to apply for funding, you need time, money and networks - which is exactly what women have less of."
Fränzi Straßberger and Marika Vetter

Conclusion and outlook

  • Cooperation across municipal and state borders is worthwhile in order to tackle difficult and complex issues for which there are no simple solutions. This is also how we have tackled the issue of gender equality in structural change - this is not just about a lot of money, but above all about the future of Lusatia.
  • The current structural change must also correct the mistakes made during the structural break in 1990: We have perceived a lot of understanding for what also went wrong in the 1990s - the great uncertainty, the many career breaks.
  • The development of sustainable jobs and socio-cultural development must go hand in hand. Small and medium-sized enterprises and social organizations must also have a real chance of accessing EU funds. After all, this small-scale nature is the reality of many women's working and living conditions. They are "agents of change" for social cohesion, often under very difficult conditions.
  • If the regions undergoing structural change are to be economically and socially successful in the long term, corrective gender equality funding from the European Structural Funds is needed. The funding instruments from 2028 onwards will require strict guidelines for the allocation of funds.
  • The creation of a specialist office in Lusatia was discussed, which takes the name "Just Transition Fund" seriously and checks whether gender equality has been sufficiently taken into account when allocating funds. The idea is to make Lusatia a model region for other transition regions as part of a pilot project.
If we do not advance gender equality, the European idea is in danger.
Alliance of Municipal Equal Opportunities Officers in Lusatia

Photo gallery

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  • Live ticker of the trip to Brussels

    +++ October 27, 2023 +++ 08:00 a.m. +++

    Departure. The trip was a complete success! Summaries, photos and results will be available soon on the F wie Kraft website.

    +++ October 26, 2023 +++ 19:00 +++

    Dinner together in a typical Belgian fish and seafood restaurant.

    +++ October 26, 2023 +++ 4:00 p.m. +++

    Susanne Müller-Hübsch takes us to Anderlecht Town Hall. In the historic meeting room, she shows us some local projects dedicated to the topic of equality (rap against sexism, graffiti against sexual harassment, etc.) and we exchange experiences, problems and solutions at municipal level.

    +++ October 26, 2023 +++ 3:00 p.m. +++

    We are welcomed by Susanne Müller-Hübsch at the Clémenceau metro station in Anderlecht. She is the Mayor for Mobility, Roads and Urban Development of the municipality of Anderlecht. Accompanied by two interpreters, we visit the Mulieris ASBL association, which runs a tailoring workshop and is committed to the professional reintegration of women. We exchange questions regarding the acquisition of funding, the target group and the organization of the association.

    +++ October 26, 2023 +++ 11:00 a.m. +++

    Event "Structural change in European regions: Why gender equality is an important prerequisite for a success story"

    The panel discussed:

    • Katja Meier, Minister of State for Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality of the Free State of Saxony
    • Ursula Nonnemacher, Minister for Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection of the State of Brandenburg
    • Eva Gerhards, Deputy Head of Cabinet to Commissioner Helena Dalli, European Commission
    • Alexandra Geese, MEP, Member of the Committee on Budgets, European Parliament
    • Monika Hencsey, Director in the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), European Commission
    • Katja Lenzing, Deputy Head of Unit in the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), European Commission
    • Rachel Lancry Beaumont, Head of Unit, COTER Commission, European Committee of the Regions
    • Dr. Julia Gabler, Head of the TRAWOS Institute for Transformation, Housing and Social Spatial Development, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences

     

    +++ October 26, 2023 +++ 09:00 a.m. +++

    Visit to the European Parliament and thematic exchange led by Ska Keller, MEP (Greens/ BB), European Parliament

    +++ October 25, 2023 +++ 18:30 +++

    We are invited to dinner at the regional organic restaurant "Les Filles". Over a delicious buffet and tasty organic wines, we will exchange views with MEPs on the topics of structural change and gender equality. We will get to know Members of the European Parliament:

    • Matthias Ecke, MEP (S&D/ SN), member of the Committee on Regional Development
    • Karolin Braunsberger-Reinhold, MEP (EPP/ ST), member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, deputy member of the Committee on Regional Development
    • Dr. Cornelia Ernst, MEP (Linke/ SN), Member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

    We ask ourselves and the parliamentary representatives how we can contribute our experiences from Lusatia to the political debate in the European Parliament, convey our experiences to the parliamentary representatives and collect ways and possibilities of participation in future debates on the subject of equality in the European Parliament.

    +++ October 25, 2023 +++ 3:00 p.m. +++

    Joint trip to the seat of the European Commission. Meeting with Joachim Ott, Head of Unit "Citizens' Dialogues/Citizens' Forums and Citizen Participation" of the Directorate-General Communication of the European Commission. Mr. Ott gives us an insight into the working methods of his unit, especially in the area of citizen participation. A discussion ensues on the possibilities of cooperation between the local and EU levels and on bringing the issue of gender equality into the European debate.

    +++ October 25, 2023 +++ 1:00 p.m. +++

    Lunch and exchange at the premises of the Representation of the State of Brandenburg to the EU.

    +++ October 25, 2023 +++ 11:30 a.m. +++

    Round table "Structural change - shortage of skilled workers - demographic change: is gender equality the answer?" with Niklas Nienaß (MEP Greens/MV) and Egbert Holthuis (Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission) and others: Is gender equality still a cross-cutting issue or is it being pushed into the corner?

    +++ October 25, 2023 +++ 10:00 a.m. +++

    Round table with Alexandra Geese (MEP Greens/NW), Dr. Claudia Schöning-Kalender (Chair of the Gender Equality Committee, Council of European Municipalities and Regions, Karen Kühne (German Section of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions) and Dr. Arn Sauer (Director of the Federal Foundation for Gender Equality). What is needed to implement the European Charter for Equality in the municipalities? A better translation of the benefits and results!

    +++ October 25, 2023 +++ 09:30 a.m. +++

    Arrival at the premises of the Representation of the State of Brandenburg to the EU. Welcome by Dr. Marcus Wenig (Head of the Representation of the State of Brandenburg to the EU and Dr. Gesine Märtens (State Secretary of the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality) and Antje Töpfer (State Secretary in the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection of the State of Brandenburg).

    +++ October 24, 2023 +++ 7:00 p.m. +++

    The hotel check-in has been completed and the evening ends in a Brussels restaurant in a relaxed atmosphere.

    +++ October 24, 2023 +++ 3:00 p.m. +++

    Aline Erdmann (Equal Opportunities Officer, City of Cottbus) and Lisa Temesvári-Alamer (Equal Opportunities Officer, District of Spree-Neisse) join the group in Cologne. The alliance of Lusatian equal opportunities officers is now complete. Dr. Gesine Märtens (State Secretary of the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality) and Manuela Dörnenburg (State Equal Opportunities Commissioner, State of Brandenburg) have also joined the group.

    +++ October 24, 2023 +++ 10:48 a.m. +++

    The journey begins. At Leipzig Central Station, Marika Vetter (Equal Opportunities Officer, district of Görlitz), Ines Fabisch (former Equal Opportunities Officer, district of Görlitz), Fränzi Straßberger (Equal Opportunities Officer, city of Bautzen), Dr. Julia Gabler (TRAWOS Institute) and Marie Melzer (TRAWOS Institute) meet Korina Jenssen (Equal Opportunities Officer, city of Hoyerswerda) and Johanna Fischer (Equal Opportunities Officer, district of Oberspreewald-Lausitz). So far, the trip has gone without a hitch. During the trip, people are busy networking, working and brainstorming.

Further information
  • Europe news for Saxony from 30.10.2023
  • Saxon newspaper from 30.10.2023
  • Press release of the MSGIV Brandenburg from 27.10.2023
  • Alliance of municipal equal opportunities officers in Lusatia (2023): Position paper - update from July 2023
  • Alliance of Municipal Equal Opportunities Officers in Lusatia (2022): Structure change - structure, we change you. Documentation of the conference of the Alliance of Municipal Equal Opportunities Officers of Lusatia on structural change on 16.09.2022 in Spremberg.
  • Gabler, Julia/Kottwitz, Anita/Kollmorgen, Raj (2016): Who's coming? Who is leaving? Who stays? A study to improve the chances of qualified women staying in the district of Görlitz. Görlitz: District administration office.
  • Gabler, Julia; Schönfelder, Sînziana (2022): On the (data) situation of women in structural change in Lusatia; ifab e.V. Institute for Applied Participation (ed.) together with TRAWOS Institute/HSZG, Spremberg.
  • Economic Region Lusatia (ed.) (2020): Women as an economic factor for Lusatia. Developed by F wie Kraft-Autorinnen-Team; TRAWOS Institute; HSZG.

The trip was commissioned by the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality (SMJusDEG) - Saxony Liaison Office Brussels in cooperation with State Secretary Dr. Gesine Märtens, Minister Katja Meier and the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection of the State of Brandenburg (MSGIV).

Contact at TRAWOS

Photo: Dr. phil. Julia Gabler
Projektleitung
Dr. phil.
Julia Gabler
J.Gabler(at)hszg.de
Faculty of Social Sciences
02826 Görlitz
Furtstrasse 2
Building G I, Room 2.21
2nd upper floor
+49 3581 374-4264
Projektmanagement
B.A.
Marie Melzer
Marie.Melzer(at)hszg.de
trawos(at)hszg.de
Institute for Transformation, Housing and Social Spatial Development
02826 Görlitz
Parkstrasse 2
Building G VII, Room 315
2nd upper floor
+49 3581 374-4459