Gender component – GEFF Western Balkans III - Baseline study

To effectively promote equal access to green finance within the framework of GEFF WB III, the objective of this assignment is to generate gender baseline assessments at the country level. These assessments will serve as the basis for evidence-based recommendations, aiming to ensure equal opportunities for both women and men as sub-borrowers seeking access to green finance. Phase I will focus on conducting gender baseline assessments for three countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. The results and recommendations from these gender baseline assessments will be presented and discussed at multi-stakeholder events held in each respective country. The subsequent gender activities of GEFF WB III with PFIs and sub-borrowers will be informed by the findings of these studies and the outcomes of the associated multi-stakeholder events.

The evaluation will encompass the following components:

1. Derived from a thorough examination of secondary sources:

a) Summarize the macroeconomic setting, residential and public sectors concerning their potential for investing in green technologies, along with an overview of the financial institution landscape.

b) Outline country-specific climate-related issues, climate projections, adaptive capacity, and available assets and services for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation.

c) Provide a brief overview of gender relations in terms of income, employment, household decision-making power, inheritance laws, and gendered differences in land ownership.

d) Describe the horizontal and vertical segregation of the labor force in GEFF WB III target sectors, gender ratios in sectors most and least affected by climate change.

2. Derived from a Questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs):

a) Analyze modes of access to information and assess men and women's understanding of climate change, as well as their awareness and strategies for adaptation, mitigation, and climate resilience.

b) Identify the differentiated vulnerabilities of men and women to climate change risks, including coping strategies and the use of climate technologies in diverse climatic contexts.

c) Identify barriers faced by women and men at the household level in accessing finance and green technologies.

d) Identify opportunities for policy dialogue activities to address issues limiting women's ability to adopt climate technologies financed under the program, such as access to finance and lack of collateral.

3. Present and discuss the findings of the needs assessment in a multi-stakeholder workshop at the national level.

4. Formulate recommendations to enhance women's access to climate finance within the program, covering aspects such as 

(i) outreach through marketing and awareness raising; 

(ii) capacity building of women sub-borrowers; 

and (iii) adaptation of PFIs lending methodologies, delivery mechanisms, and financial products to effectively reach women sub-borrowers.

Type of Services provided:

• Primary and secondary research
• Quantitative and qualitative research
• Market level assessment and/or segmentation study
• Develop an engagement plan for key stakeholders
• Draft Stakeholder map
• Organise high-profile visibility events
• Create Knowledge products such as summary note, infographic and/or multimedia product

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