Gender Responsive Budgeting in a Southern European Context

Marija Risteska’s new book, "Gender Responsive Budgeting in a Southern European Context", explores how governments and civil society in Southern Europe integrate gender equality into fiscal policy and decision-making processes, and how feminist democratic innovation and gender- as well as wellbeing-responsive budgeting can transform public finance into a tool for equality and social justice.

Through its chapters, the book traces the evolution of gender budgeting from a technical exercise in expenditure monitoring to a broader agenda linking care, wellbeing, and participation in democratic governance. Case studies from Albania, Croatia, France, Italy, Macedonia, Spain, and Serbia illustrate how inclusive budgeting practices enhance transparency, accountability, and trust in institutions. The volume connects theory and practice, drawing on the experience of reformers working with ministries of finance, municipalities, and international organizations. It provides timely insights for policymakers, academics, and advocates seeking to align budgets with the Sustainable Development Goals and to build more equitable, resilient, and caring economies.

The book can be downloaded at the following link.