Equinet Highlights 2024

2024 was a landmark year for equality in Europe. The European Union adopted two Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies, establishing the first legally binding framework to guarantee the independence, powers, accessibility, and resources of National Equality Bodies. This milestone is the result of over a decade of advocacy, and Equinet played a central role in shaping these directives and supporting their ambitious implementation across Europe.

Beyond this legislative success, Equinet advanced its mission to empower Equality Bodies through research, training, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships. Our commitment to intersectional and forward-looking equality work was reflected in our focus on emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence and climate change.

Highlights include work on:

• Supporting the implementation of the EU Standards Directives through expert workshops, national engagement, and tailored legal and civil society tools
• Ethical and strategic use of artificial intelligence in communication and equality monitoring
• Addressing the unequal impacts of climate change on vulnerable groups
• Building capacity for strategic litigation, including use of expert opinions in court and situation testing
• Strengthening cooperation through the new Leadership for Equality Hub and formalizing AI work into a permanent Working Group
• Hosting flagship events and contributing to policy development in areas such as sport and healthcare for Roma and racialised communities

Finally, 2024 was not just about achieving legislative milestones, it was about preparing the ground for their implementation and strengthening the European equality infrastructure for the years ahead. With a stronger, more connected network and the tools to face future challenges, Equinet and its Members are committed to ensuring equality for all across Europe.