Exchange of good practice
The programme of exchange of good practice on gender equality aims at reinforcing mutual learning among EU countries and other participating countries. EEA countries, the associated candidate countries and countries of the western Balkans participating in the stabilisation and association process can also participate in the programme.
The programme focuses on concrete policy measures and on concrete and existing examples. It addresses both the opportunities and constraints for policy implementation and it concretely highlights the possibilities and challenges for transferability to other countries.
The Commission will organise three exchanges each year in 2011 and 2012. The exchanges will focus on the key priority areas of the Women's Charter and of the Strategy for equality between women and men 2010-2015.
The programme provides an opportunity for the stimulation of debate and exchange of experience between governmental representatives, independent experts and other relevant stakeholders. The ultimate aim is to facilitate the dissemination of good practice on gender equality in Europe.
A first set of good practice exchange seminars took place in 2008 and 2009 on childcare 
[844 KB] , parental leave, gender roles, and gender based violence.
- In May 2011 a seminar was held in Belgium focussing on the implementing gender mainstreaming. Two good practices were reviewed: one by the host country Belgium and the other by Sweden. The documents related to the exchange are available here.
- In October 2011, The Netherlands hosted a seminar on flexible working time arrangements. The good practice discussed was the Dutch Nieuwe Werken (New Forms of Work). The programme is supporting the diffusion of flexible work patterns in order to increase working time, especially among women, and to facilitate the work-life balance for women and men. The documents related to the exchange are available here.
- In December 2011, Germany hosted a seminar on ways of reducing the gender pay gap. Germany presented its Logib-D project and Austria outlined their company income reports. The documents related to the exchangeare available here.
- In February 2012, the UK hosted a seminar to discuss awareness raising activities to fight violence against women and girls. The UK and Greece presented their actions in the field. The documents related to the exchange are available here.
- In May 2012, Norway hosted a seminar focusing on ways to increase the number of women in economic decision making positions. While Norway described its policy on mandatory gender quotas on corporate boards, the UK and Denmark presented their actions in the field, focusing on voluntary mechanisms by companies. The documents related to the exchange are available here.