Firstly addressed in the framework of the Transmediterranean Programme, launched in 1994 and then, through the Intercultural Dialogue programme launched in 2005, the North-South Centre launched in 2011, the North-South Process for the Empowerment of Women (NSPEW), as a result of the Recommendations adopted at the Conference on “Women as agents of change in in the Southern Mediterranean Region” (Rome, 24-25 October 2011).

This process is supported by the Recommendation 1996(2012) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in particular in  reference to item 8 : “The Assembly believes that the consolidated experience of the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity (North-South Centre) is an  important asset in the elaboration, implementation and evaluation of  action plans with Morocco and Tunisia, as well as  in the establishment of  co-operation with other countries in the region.”

The NSPEW is in line with the Council of Europe’s commitment to promote gender equality in Europe and beyond, namely through the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023, the Council of Europe Policy towards Neighbouring Regionsand its co-operation priorities, the recommendations of the Conference on Combating Gender Stereotypes in and through Education(Helsinki, 9-10 October 2014), and the promotion of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence(Istanbul Convention) beyond Europe.

The project is also aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular with reference to the Sustainable Development Goal 5: to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.