Mend the Gap in Economic Opportunities in Europe and Central Asia: Second Edition

We invite submissions of one-page extended abstracts that will include the objectives, the research question, a brief description of the methodology, preliminary findings, author names and affiliations, and contact email for corresponding author.

We welcome empirical papers on key constraints to women’s labor market participation and on effective policies to expand women’s access to good jobs, with particular relevance for the economies of Europe and Central Asia (ECA). Topics of special interest include (but are not limited to!):

• Women’s employment and earnings
• Social norms and unpaid work
• Technology, AI and digitalization
• Education, skilling, and school-to-work transitions for young women
• Gender gaps in firm behavior and workplace practices
• Female entrepreneurship and access to finance
• Aging, pensions and care
• Migration, displacement and cross-border mobility
• Regional disparities in gender outcomes

Proposals can be submitted to: mendthegapworkshop@worldbank.org

Selected papers may be considered for publication in a special issue of LABOUR: Review of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations. Early-career researchers are encouraged to apply.

Scientific Committee

• Manuel Bagues, Warwick
• Kathleen Beegle, World Bank
• Gaia Dossi, EIEF
• Markus Eberhardt, University of Nottingham
• Anna Fruttero, World Bank
• Joao Monteiro, EIEF
• Lucia Rizzica, Bank of Italy
• Almudena Sevilla, LSE
• Franco Peracchi, EIEF
• Paola Profeta, Bocconi University