Please note that Equinet has a new travel policy. Members are now required to go through a 2-step registration process, and to book their own flights to be reimbursed up to the cost ceiling established by the EC. Read more about the new travel policy.

Equinet is committed to providing a safe environment for its employees, members, and external partners/guests, free from harassment on any ground. Equinet operates a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment taking place during its events, treats all incidents respectfully, confidentially and seriously, and promptly react to all allegations of harassment. Read our Safer Spaces Policy for Equinet events here.

Calendar 2024

2023 saw exciting developments in the equality field, with the advances in the negotiations around the proposed legislation on Standards for Equality Bodies, and Equinet and its members played a crucial role in facilitating some of the discussions and raising the importance of the issue. 2024 will bring many changes and renewed energy to the European context with the European Parliament elections and the appointment of new Commissioners. Equinet will continue to work with our partners and will pursue and establish new and strong relationships, advocating for Equality Bodies and furnishing evidence to EU legislators of the need for strong standards and ways to monitor compliance.

The Equinet Work Plan 2024 outlines all activities planned for the upcoming year structured along main areas, in particular:

Standards for Equality Bodies

EU Equality Strategies

Exploring new and current Equality Trends

Developing equality law and the role of Equality Bodies

Relationship management, network development, and governance

For further information on any of the events, please consult our Work Plan 2024.

All times displayed are Brussels/CET for online events and local times for in person events.

Equinet Annual General Meeting: 16 October (in-person, Brussels)

NOVEMBER

High-Level Conference & Workshop - Game Changer: Sport's Role in Fighting Discrimination: 7-8 November (in-person, Rome, Italy)

Seminar - Climate Change and its Equality Implications in Focus: Tools for Equality Bodies: 20-21 November (hybrid, Brussels, Belgium)

DECEMBER

Workshop - Standards for Equality Bodies: 5 December (online)

High-Level Conference - Coding Equality in the EU AI Act: Equality Bodies rising to the Challenge: 12 December (in-person, Brussels, Belgium)

TAIEX Workshop - Protection against AI-enabled discrimination in non-EU countries:(subject to dedicated funding): Date TBC (in-person, Chișinău, Moldova)

Expert groups meetings

Staff members of Equality Bodies will continue to meet within their Working Groups or Clusters. Working Groups meet throughout the year to discuss topics related to Gender Equality, Policy Formation, Equality Law, Communication Strategies and Practices, Research and Data Collection, and Artificial Intelligence. Currently, there are ongoing Clusters on Disability and Age. Equinet staff and Members are also involved in the Project on Standards for Equality Bodies.

Learn more about Equinet's expert groups.

Communication Strategies and Practices Working Group

29 May (hybrid, Ljubljana). In conjunction with Training - Practical & Ethical Issues Surrounding the Use of AI in Communication

27 November (online)

Equality Law in Practice Working Group

19 April (hybrid, Dublin). In conjunction with Training - Equality Bodies Providing their Expert Opinion in Courts

23 October (online)

Gender Equality Working Group

10 April (hybrid, Brussels). In conjunction with Joint Meeting with AI Working Group - The Gendered Impact of AI: Mapping the Problem, Exploring

3 October (online)

Policy Formation Working Group

5 June (hybrid, Vilnius, Lithuania). In conjunction with Seminar - Equality Bodies Using Situation Testing

26 November (online)

Research and Data Collection Working Group

5 June (hybrid, Vilnius, Lithuania). In conjunction with Seminar - Equality Bodies Using Situation Testing

19 November (online)

Artificial Intelligence Working Group

10 April (hybrid, Brussels). In conjunction with Joint Meeting with Gender Equality Working Group - The Gendered Impact of AI: Mapping the Problem, Exploring

6 November (online)

Age Cluster

6 May (online)

22 October (online)

Disability Cluster

28 October (online)

Standards Project

19 March (online)

17 September (hybrid (Location TBD). In conjunction with Mini-Workshop on Standards For Equality Bodies)

Equinet Governance

Each year the General Assembly of members meets at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in order to discuss and take decisions on important issues such as the annual Work Plan, financial statements and activity reports, and adhesion of new members. Every two years, the General Assembly also votes on the Executive Board elections. The Executive Board meets once per quarter to disucss and take decisions on the development of strategic visions for the network, as well as governance issues, such as the development and implementation of yearly work plans.

Executive Board Meetings

4-5 March (in-person, Vienna)

19 June (in-person, Brussels)

12 September (online)

11 December (hybrid, Brussels and online), in conjuction with Equinet Conference Equality-Proofing AI Systems: Equality Bodies Rising to the Challenge

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

15 October (Brussels)

Equinet 2024 Events