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Although one might think that our society has come a long way in addressing gender-based inequalities, they still exist in many forms. Constantly flickering through decisions or situations (who is hired, who is promoted, who is safe from being assaulted, listened to, and who bears the majority of the non-physical emotional and organisational labour), they create a barrier to the lives of those affected by them. International data and research from feminist and equity-based organisations continue to show the extent of these barriers and why they persist as a serious problem, especially for women and non-binary people in even value-based and community-oriented sectors, like the Social Solidarity Economy (SSE).

This is where the idea of Égal’Asso originated. Together with our partner NGOs from France (La Maison des Associations de Tourcoing (Mda), Conseil Recherche Ingénierie et Formation pour l'Égalité femmes-hommes (CORIF)) and Belgium (POUR LA SOLIDARITÉ (PLS)), we want to improve the support for changes in internal and external gender equality practices in associations with between 0 and 25 employees. In this way, these associations will become important engines for conveying a message in favour of respect for gender equality to their users, who are the project's ultimate audience. The latter will benefit from the introduction of practices that promote equality within the structures they frequent. 

Co-funded by the European Union, the project is being implemented in Belgium, France and Greece. Our focus areas are: 

• To improve the skills and knowledge of professionals in small associations with regard to gender equality issues. 

• To encourage and facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices to improve gender equality in the internal and external operations (governance, human resources and relations with partners and users) of the associations. 

• To show associations that it is feasible and financially viable to put in place an approach to equality. 

• To improve participants' skills in raising awareness and/or supporting local players in gender equality issues. 

• To improve participants' skills in mobilising their public and partners in actions on gender equality. 

• To raise awareness and educate local decision-makers and other stakeholders about the challenges of gender equality.

Being one of the main pillars of the vision of HYP, it has always been important for us to raise awareness and take action about persisting gender-based inequalities and discrimination based on people’s gender identity to create a safer space for each and everybody. We are very happy to be part of this new project and are ready for shaping and rethinking gender in the civil society!