Framework Contract: Gender and Economic Inclusion Technical Assistance. Pillar 3

Through this framework consultancy for the provision of Gender and Economic Inclusion Technical Assistance, FGB will support EBRD’s Gender & Economic Inclusion Team in reducing inclusion gaps and creating inclusive and gender-responsive services and public goods with the overall objective to promote equality of opportunities.

EBRD’s priorities on creating inclusive and gender-responsive services and public goods focus on three impact levels, responding to needs at market, company and individual level. At market level, the focus is on the strengthening of institutional and strategic frameworks in its countries of operation to ensure inclusive infrastructure service provision as well as inclusive urban design and realms, with an emphasis on reaching and connecting more disadvantaged regions, boosting local connectivity, resource efficiency and inclusive service provision for a green and digital economic growth. A particular focus is put on policy dialogue to promote the integration of equality of opportunity and inclusive measures into relevant national or regional sector strategies and addressing legal restrictions related to access to economic opportunities for underserved groups.

At company level, EBRD aims to enable infrastructure and service providers to adopt measures, standards and corporate level policies to create equal and safe access for all. This includes applying universal design principles to urban planning, connectivity, transport, energy systems and water infrastructure, tackling Gender-based Violence and Harassment (GBVH), leveraging digital solutions to reach new market segments, and introducing inclusive procurement approaches as well as sustainable value chains, creating equal access for underserved groups and ensuring community participation, and innovative infrastructure design and services provision.

At individual level, EBRD’s objective is to empower people, regardless of their circumstances, to access infrastructure (from transport to municipal and digital), use urban and public realms safely whenever they need, and access public goods that are essential to fully participate in economic, social and community life – and related opportunities.

Overall, FGB together with the leading and consortium partners will provide different services, such evaluating the impacts of infrastructure projects, promoting the use of relevant services, and developing designs for inclusive infrastructure services.