Türkiye and Albania exchange gender-responsive budgeting experiences during high-level study visit

A high-level delegation involving several Turkish institutions recently conducted a five-day study visit to the Republic of Albania to learn about best practices and exchange experiences on gender-responsive budgeting (GRB). This unique opportunity to learn and share experiences face-to-face was made possible through the Implementing Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting in Turkey project, which is co-financed by the European Union and UN Women.

“Our visit included a range of national and local institutions. In this sense, we didn’t only seize the opportunity to learn about how Albanian institutions integrate gender-responsive budgeting into their processes but also witnessed ongoing efforts at different institutional levels,” said Zeliha Ünaldı, Deputy Country Director of UN Women Türkiye, who participated in the study visit alongside project partners.

The delegation members included chairs of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the Plan and Budget Committee, and the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men. Also, the General Director, Deputy General Director, and other high-level officials from the Ministry of Family and Social Services General Directorate on the Status of Women. The delegation also involved the Presidency of Strategy and Budget General Directorate of Budget, Sectors and Public Investments, Plans and Programmes, as well as senior executives from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the General Directorate of Public Financial Management and Transformation and Union of Municipalities of Türkiye.

The high-level delegation visited the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, the Ministries of Finance and Economy, Health and Social Protection, and Agriculture and Rural Development. They also traveled to the municipalities of Tirana and Durres, with one visit to a local civil society organization working on women's empowerment.

The three-year Implementing Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting in Turkey project is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Presidency of Strategy and Budget of Türkiye. The project supports the creation of a society where gender equality is achieved and women, men, girls, and boys enjoy equal rights, services, and opportunities. The approach enables budgeting and planning processes to incorporate a gender perspective at all levels and to meet the different needs and priorities of everyone in Türkiye.