After centrally organised training of trainers by CEV, online and offline cascaded training activities in Member States are being co-organised with CEV Members on “Gender equality in CSO leadership (Boards)”. 

 

This training session has been developed under the CERV Operating Grant Framework Agreement “REVIVE” (Revealing European Values in Volunteering in Europe) and the 2024 Specific Agreement “Volunteering, Equality, Rights and Action” (VERA 2024) as pilot training. The aim is to strengthen the capabilities of member organisations and other stakeholders in enhancing gender equality in leadership roles (Boards). By focusing on identifying barriers, exploring equity strategies, and addressing specific organisational challenges, this training seeks to support Volunteer organisations in fostering a more inclusive and effective leadership environment.  The materials have a particular focus on the increased inclusion of women, but also highlight the importance of an overall inclusive approach and encouragement to also consider the issue from a less binary position.  

Although Civil Society and Volunteering in general is often perceived as inclusive, data reveals significant disparities in participation and leadership roles. Factors such as gender, socioeconomic status, education, and social networks contribute to this imbalance, with women facing fewer opportunities for managerial positions, mirroring broader societal gender inequalities (Kristiansen, 2002; British Council, 2016).

Gender-diverse leadership can bring significant advantages to organisations. When gender equality is not prioritised, organisations miss out on the benefits of varied leadership styles, innovative ideas, and enhanced effectiveness.
Organisations that overlook the importance of gender balance in leadership roles risk reinforcing existing disparities and missing valuable opportunities. Persistent systemic challenges—such as institutional biases, inadequate mentorship, and insufficient support systems—can hinder the advancement of women into leadership roles. These issues not only affect organisational dynamics but also perpetuate broader societal inequalities.
Moreover, the lack of female representation in leadership roles affects societal perceptions of women as leaders and role models. This underrepresentation limits the visibility of women’s leadership capabilities and impacts future generations' aspirations. To address these challenges effectively, organisations need to adopt comprehensive strategies that promote gender equality and dismantle existing barriers.​​

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CEV Members implemented 31 trainings so far.

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A total of 820 participants (249 male, 561 female & 10 non-binary) in 12 countries took part:

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Romania (RO) - 13 February 2025 with 39 participants                        Slovakia (SVK) - 29 May with 20 participants

Latvia (LV) - 14 March 2025 with 11 participants                                 Ireland (IE) - 22 May with 5 participants

Malta (MT) - 29 & 30 April 2025 with 34 participants                           Croatia (HR) - 15 of April and 9 of May with 34 participants

Italy (IT) - 10,14 and 20 May with 108 participants                             Belgium (FR) - 19 of June with 21 participants

Belgium (FR) - 13 of May with 30 participants                                     France (FR) - 9 of December with 12 participants​

Hungary (HU) - 25, 26 and 27 of November with 46 participants           Hungary (HU) - 16 of September with 6 participants                ​

Ireland (IE) - 22 of May with 5 participants                                         Italy (IT) - 7 of November with 35 participants
Italy (IT) - 28 of November with 27 participants                                  Italy (IT) - 2 of December with 16 participants
Italy (IT) - 15 of November with 31 participants                                  Italy (IT) - 6 of November with 35 participants
Italy (IT) - 22 of May with 35 participants                                           Italy (IT) - 13 of June with 35 participants
Italy (IT) - 21 of June with 23 participants                                          Portugal (PT) - 17 of October with 32 participants
Portugal (PT) - 5 of June with 52 participants                                      Portugal (PT) - 19 of November with 56 participants
Spain (ESP) - 19 of September with 20 participants                              Spain (ESP) - 7 of October with 23 participants