On 6 February 2026, the Kurzeme Planning Region held the first online meeting of the stakeholders’ group of the Interreg Europe programme project No. 03C0996 “Women’s Employment and Entrepreneurship in Just Transition Territories” (Just FEMME). The meeting brought together 34 participants representing regional and national authorities, non-governmental organisations, academia, and other key stakeholders.
The meeting marked the start of structured and targeted cooperation aimed at integrating gender equality into policy instruments, with a particular focus on employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, and social inclusion in just transition territories.
During the meeting, the Kurzeme Planning Region presented the objectives, planned activities, and governance framework of the Just FEMME project. The project focuses on analysing gender inequalities in just transition labour markets, promoting gender mainstreaming in public policies, including gender budgeting, and improving women’s access to training, reskilling, and entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly in male-dominated sectors.
Special attention was given to the improvement of the Kurzeme Planning Region Development Programme 2021–2027, drawing on interregional cooperation and good practice examples. Insights from an experience-exchange event in Bulgaria highlighted key institutional barriers to gender equality and showcased effective approaches to integrating gender considerations into public policies.
A representative of the Ministry of Welfare provided an overview of the gender equality situation in Latvia and the Kurzeme region, underlining challenges related to employment, pay gaps, and social inequalities, as well as the importance of data-driven, evidence-based policymaking.
The stakeholders’ working group will operate until 31 July 2029 and will contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the Kurzeme Planning Region Development Programme 2021–2027, supporting the implementation of a sustainable and inclusive just transition in the region.
About the project
Just Femme is an Interreg Europe project involving partners from eight EU countries – Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands and North Macedonia.
Its mission is to ensure that the Green and Digital Transitions also work for women, by promoting their active participation in entrepreneurship, employment, and regional policy-making in Just Transition territories.
Information prepared by:
Viktorija Reine
Project Manager at Kurzeme Planning Region
Phone: +371 29762971
Email: viktorija.reine@kurzemesregions.lv
