In 1993, EUROSTEP set up a special network on gender, within the larger network. This was the Gender Working Group (GWG). All agencies participated, sending their most committed gender activists and staff. The EUROSTEP Secretariat participated as well. The GWG provided solidarity through advocacy and networking.

The GWG met at least once a year at a seminar devoted to a current issue, such as planning from a gender perspective, gender and partnership, or capacity-building. On these occasions the agencies shared their experiences and critically assessed their practice, in order to learn lessons and improve the quality of their development interventions. Increasingly, counterparts accompanied EUROSTEP members at the meetings.

The Gender Working Group had an agenda for gender advocacy, worked towards mainstreaming gender issues into EUROSTEP's advocacy work, and aimed to integrate gender issues into the relief and development programmes of the agencies. The GWG also worked as a pressure group within the agencies to promote changes which would ensure the development and implementation of gender policies.