Equinet Highlights 2023

In 2023, the European Union legislative process was set in motion to provide a crucial legal framework for Equality Bodies’ independence and effectiveness in helping victims of discrimination and ensuring equality for all. In cooperation with and informed by our Members, a key priority of our work was to support the legislative process and advocate for the highest standards for Equality Bodies in all European Countries.

Beyond working to strengthen Equality Bodies institutionally, Equinet continued building the capacity of staff members and promoting their work. This was done mainly through actions that focus on the powers and activities of Equality Bodies in three main areas: assistance to victims, advice and policy work, prevention and promotion.

Highlights include work on:

• the adoption of EU legislation on Standards for Equality Bodies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Climate Change
• Intersectional and multi-ground discrimination
• Equality Bodies supporting de-institutionalization from a multi-ground perspective
• Enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation
• Equality Bodies tackling harassment
• Equality Bodies making recommendations
• Equality Bodies working towards gender equality in employment

Finally, central to Equinet mission in 2023 was empowering members and strengthening the European equality architecture  in line with Equinet Strategic Plan (2023-2026). Through targeted capacity-building activities, Equoinet equipped National Equality Bodies with the tools and knowledge necessary to tackle online and offline harassment, make recommendations to policy-makers and legislators, and ensure gender equality in employment. In parallel, we contributed to the discussion on how to ensure comprehensive enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation.