FADA Project 2024
In 2024 Equinet took part in a project funded by the German Federal Anti-discrimination Agency (FADA) with the aim of supporting National Equality Bodies in ensuring a successful transposition of the newly adopted Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies to the national level.
Through the project, Equinet dedicated specific resources to support its Members and other key stakeholders in their contribution to transposition, implementation and even monitoring of the Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies. To be in a strong position to favourably influence the full transposition of the Directives, National Equality Bodies as well as allies need a common and comprehensive understanding of the Directives. For this reason, the outputs presented below were produced.
Understanding the New EU Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies
As part of the FADA Project 2024 and in collaboration with the Equal Rights Trust, three outputs will be launched to strengthen National Equality Bodies’, Civil Society Organisations’, and equality stakeholders’ understanding of the Directives, providing them with the tools and information needed to meaningfully engage in the implementation process and advocate for ambitious transposition at the national level:
Understanding the New EU Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies: Legal Digest
Drafted by Equal Rights Trust and funded by the German Federal Anti-discrimination Agency, with input from an advisory committee and Equinet secretariat, “Understanding the New EU Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies: Legal Digest on Standards for Equality Bodies” aims to assist States and Equality Bodies in transposing and implementing the new Directives on Standards.
The resource offers an in-depth legal analysis of the Directives, examining the Articles, recitals, preparatory materials, existing legal instruments, and authoritative recommendations from ECRI and the European Commission. It explains the provisions of the Standards Directives, offering practical guidance for implementation by assessing them in light of the purposes clause and core principles for interpretation. By setting minimum requirements for independence, powers, and resources, the Directives empower Equality Bodies across Europe to combat discrimination and promote equality more effectively. It emphasizes the importance of ambitious national transposition strategies, enabling Equality Bodies to operate with greater independence, broader mandates, and enhanced resources to support victims of discrimination, ensure justice, and address the root causes of inequality.
Understanding the New EU Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies: Key principles derived from the Legal Digest on Standards for Equality Bodies
Drafted by Equal Rights Trust and funded by the German Federal Anti-discrimination Agency, “Understanding the New EU Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies: Key Principles derived from the Legal Digest on Standards for Equality Bodies” offers crucial insights into the transformative potential of the New EU Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies and synthesises the key principles identified in the Digest for understanding, transposing and implementing the Directives. The Key Principles highlighted in this publication include:
- Purpose & Mandate: Clarifying the essential roles and responsibilities of Equality Bodies in combatting discrimination and advancing equality.
- Independence: Ensuring that Equality Bodies operate free from external influence, enabling them to act effectively in promoting equality.
- Resources: Addressing the need for adequate funding and resources to empower Equality Bodies in fulfilling their mandate.
- Powers: Expanding the range of powers, including promotion, prevention, and access to justice, to enable more proactive measures in combating discrimination.
- Accessibility: Enhancing access to services and support for all individuals, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the protections offered by Equality Bodies.
- Implementation & Monitoring: Highlighting the importance of effective transposition and monitoring of the directives to guarantee their successful application.
Understanding the New EU Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies – Advocating for a successful transposition: Civil Society Toolkit
Authored by Equal Rights Trust in collaboration with the Equinet Secretariat, “Understanding the New EU Directives on
Standards for Equality Bodies – Advocating for a successful transposition: Civil Society Toolkit” introduces the new EU Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies and it is designed to empower civil society organisations (CSOs) to advocate for the full implementation of standards which ensure Equality Bodies are equipped with the mandate, independence, resources, and powers needed to combat discrimination and promote equality effectively.
Key features of the toolkit include:
- Overview of Key Principles: Simplified insights derived from the detailed analysis of the Directives.
- Practical Guidance: Actionable strategies for CSOs to engage in the transposition process.
- Advocacy Resources: Essential materials to push equality and anti-discrimination to the forefront of policymaking.
Developed through consultations with European-wide Civil Society Networks, this resource offers a clear roadmap for CSOs to influence national transposition strategies and hold governments accountable.