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.

Themes

We invite empirical research on key constraints to women’s labor force participation and on effective policies that expand access to good jobs in Europe and Central Asia. Topics include:

• 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

Scientific Committee

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

Submission

Extended abstracts only should be submitted by January 16, 2026 to: mendthegapworkshop@worldbank.org

Early-career researchers are encouraged to apply.