07/11/2025 We’re proud to present the publication “From Evidence to Action: How to Design Social Services for Vulnerable Groups Through a Gender Lens,” developed by NALAS and its members within the framework of the project “Regional Cooperation for Better Social Inclusion at Local Level.”
Implemented by the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS) and the Local Government Associations (LGAs), this project provided the framework to find practical, locally driven solutions for more inclusive social services across selected municipalities. It was carried out in cooperation with the regional project “Social Inclusion of Disadvantaged Groups in the Western Balkans” (SoRi), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
This publication showcases local practices that make social services more gender-transformative — demonstrating that when we focus on those most left behind, everyone benefits.
Each example tells a story of transformation:
- From mapping community needs through participatory approaches,
- To designing new or improved social services with a clear focus on women and girls,
- And finally, to implementing these services on the ground to deliver tangible change.
Across municipalities, these initiatives have brought new life to communities — from empowering mothers of children with disabilities and creating safe spaces for elderly women, to tackling cyberbullying among youth and supporting the reintegration of returnee families.
Equality is not about treating everyone the same — real change happens when we use transformative approaches that respond to people’s real needs and actively involve them in shaping solutions.
Discover how municipalities across the Western Balkans turned evidence into action, inspiring a new generation of inclusive, gender-responsive social services.
