UN Women in Ukraine launched a school of experts on gender-responsive budgeting – GRB LAB

The GRB LAB was organized by UN Women in Ukraine in partnership with the Higher School of Public Governance at the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service (NAUCS). It was part of a short-term training program titled "Gender-Based Approach in the Budget Process: From Analysis to Implementation." Additionally, the program received mentoring support and coordination from the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. 

The establishment of the GRB LAB was made possible through the generous financial contributions of the governments of Denmark and Sweden.

GRB LAB is a specialized training program aimed at representatives from central executive bodies who are involved in reviewing state budget expenditures. The program focuses on shaping the content of budget programs and integrating a gender perspective into the budget process. 

The training session welcomed over 35 participants, including members of the gender budgeting expert community and representatives from 12 ministries that are part of the interdepartmental working groups for the 2025 spending review.

During the four days of the GRB LAB, participants: 

• Discussed innovations in budget legislation and explored the experiences of other countries. 

• Learned about methods for conducting gender analysis of budget programs. 

• Worked on case studies from various sectors, including healthcare, environmental protection, the labor market, and social services. 

• Analyzed the characteristics of program-based budgeting methods. 

• Gained tools for participating in gender-sensitive expenditure reviews. 

• Collaborated on ideas for creating a manual titled “Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) in Action: Recovery and Resilience.”

Kateryna Levchenko, the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy, welcomed the participants and highlighted the progress made in establishing gender policy in Ukraine. She specifically mentioned the adoption of amendments to the Budget Code, which mandate the integration of a gender perspective at every stage of the budget process. Levchenko emphasized that the restoration of the state following the war must be grounded in the principles of equality and that gender-responsive budgeting is an essential tool for achieving this objective.

During the opening of the GRB LAB, Yuliia Lykhach, the Director of the Higher School of Public Administration, highlighted the significance of incorporating a gender perspective into the training and professional development of civil servants. She mentioned that the GRB LAB serves as a prime example of a contemporary partnership training model, effectively blending policy, analytics, and practical efforts to facilitate institutional change.

Ermira Lubani, the GRB Programme Specialist at UN Women Europe and Central Asia, emphasized that successfully implementing a gender-focused approach in recovery efforts requires not only political will but also practical analytical skills. It is essential to foster partnerships between government bodies, civil society, and international organizations. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of institutionalizing gender budgeting as a permanent aspect of the budget process.

The GRB LAB represents a significant advancement in the reform of Ukraine's budget process. This program is grounded in recent legislative changes, particularly the integration of a gender perspective into the Budget Code through the adoption of Law No. 4225-IX. Additionally, it aligns with the Cabinet of Ministers' Order No. 348-р, dated April 15, 2025, which mandates reviews of budget expenditures in specific areas.