MEMO/07/24
Brussels, 23rd January 2007
European year of Equal Opportunities for All – Eurobarometer on Discrimination
Are Europeans concerned about discrimination and do they feel that they, or sections of society, are discriminated against? Today's Eurobarometer survey shows that a large proportion of Europeans are of the opinion that discrimination is widespread in their country (64%). On average 51 % of Europeans think that not enough effort is being made in their country to fight discrimination and they would like to see this change. At the same time, the survey highlights that awareness of the existence of anti- discrimination laws in the EU remains quite low. Disability is the only type of discrimination which more than half of the European public knows is prohibited by law when hiring employees. The public is least aware of legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age (31%) and sexual orientation (30%). Only one third of European Union citizens (32%) know their rights should they become a victim of discrimination or harassment.
What do Europeans think are the main areas for discrimination? According to today's survey, discrimination based on ethnic origin is felt to be the most widespread (almost 2 Europeans out of 3, or 64%; however, results vary widely between countries). Around one in two Europeans considers discrimination based on disability and sexual orientation to be widespread. Discrimination on the basis of age (46%), religion or beliefs (44%) and gender (40%) are also felt to occur, albeit at to slightly lesser extent. A broad majority of European citizens believe that being disabled (79%), being a Roma (77%), being over 50 (69%) or having a different ethnic origin (62%) is a disadvantage in their society. Iin all but four Member States, a majority of citizens find that people of a different ethnic origin than the rest of the population enrich the national culture. What is the aim of the European Year for Equal Opportunities for All? The aim of the Year is to inform citizens of their right to non-discrimination and equal treatment, to promote equal opportunities for all and to celebrate the benefits of diversity. The focus will be Rights, Representation, Recognition and Respect: Rights – Raising awareness of the right to equality and non-discrimination and of the problem of multiple discrimination. The Year will make groups that are at risk of discrimination more aware of their rights and existing European legislation in the field of non-discrimination. Representation – The Year will encourage reflection and discussion on the need to promote greater participation of these groups in society, and greater involvement in actions designed to combat discrimination, in all sectors and at all levels. Recognition – The Year will emphasise the positive contribution that people, irrespective of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, can make to society as a whole, in particular by accentuating the benefits of diversity. Respect – The Year will raise awareness of the importance of eliminating stereotypes, prejudice and violence, promoting good relations between all in society, especially among young people, and disseminating the values underlying the fight against discrimination.
What will concretely happen during the Year? The Year will kick off in Berlin on January 30th 2007 at the first ever European Equality summit. One of the main initiatives of the Year, it will bring together EU leaders, Equality Ministers and senior Representatives of civil society. Overall the Year will provide a unique opportunity for people to learn about, exchanges ideas and debate the issue of diversity. The campaign will be highly decentralised and hundreds of events will be organised at local, regional, national, cross-border and European level. Because of the Year's decentralised approach activities will continue beyond the EYEO, creating a lasting impact on the ground. Activities during the Year include: diversity awards for employers, school competitions on the themes of respect and tolerance, training for media and trade unions on issues relating to anti-discrimination, sports events organised around the them of diversity. For examples of proposed projects per country, see table below.
What are the possible outcomes of the Year? A Year is by definition only made up of 12 months, but the idea of the Year is to put diversity – which is a fact of life in Europe – on the agenda of all the participating countries in 2007. This will have long-lasting effects beyond 2007 itself. To ensure this happens, the good ideas and successful results generated during the Year will be taken up and continued under the new EU employment and social solidarity programme called PROGRESS – to fund EU activities in anti-discrimination and gender equality and among others from 2007 until 2013.
Which countries will participate in the Year? The Year is open to the 27 EU Member States, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
2 What is the budget of the Year? The whole budget for the Year amounts to €15 million, covering activities at EU level on the one hand and at national, regional and local levels on the other. €7.65 million will be allocated to activities at these national, regional and local levels. As each participating country will have to match the share it receives from the EU funding with 50% of co-financing from either public or private sources, or both. Approx €16 million is expected to be spent be spent on activities at national level. The share of funding per country will divided in line with the number of votes at the Council. Bigger countries will receive in and around €600,000 and the smaller Member States are set to receive around €120,000. €5 million will be dedicated to the pan-European information campaign. For details per country see table below.
Who decides on the activities for the Year? European-wide programmes and activities are set up by the European Commission. Activities at national level are identified by the National Implementing Bodies (NIBs) which have been designated by the participating countries. NIBs will be the administrative authorities or equivalent, with competence and proven experience in the fight against discrimination.
What are the tasks of the National Implementing Bodies? The NIBs are responsible for defining their respective national strategies and priorities for the Year, and for identifying the individual activities to be implemented to meet the objectives of these national strategies. In carrying out their tasks, NIBs must consult on a regular basis and cooperate closely with civil society. These include organisations defending or representing the interests of people potentially exposed to discrimination, and with other relevant stakeholders.
How will the European-wide Information and Promotional Campaign work? The EYEO European-wide information and promotional campaign is designed to communicate and engage with the public in all MS. It aims to achieve social change: one of the campaign’s main objectives is to promote diversity as an asset. The campaign, underway in all Member States, also aims to make people in the European Union more aware of their rights to enjoy equal treatment and a life free of discrimination. The campaign will bring the Year’s messages to a wider audience.
Where can I find the programme and funding details of activities for each country? See table below.
3 2007 - European Year of Equal Opportunities for All - A quick glance across the 30 participating countries
Austria Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Federal Ministry for Economy & EU: €215,250.00 A large national information and promotional campaign on rights Susanne Piffl-Pavelec Labour and equal opportunities Stubenring 1 [email protected] National: €215,250.00 1010 Vienna Tel.: +43 1 711 00 65 85
Department III/10 www.bmwa.gv.at
Belgium Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Centre for equal opportunities Nadine Brauns EU: €258,300.00 Rue Royale, 138 [email protected] National: €259,055.00 1. The "Universal design" week, focusing on handicap and 1000 Brussels Tel.: +32 02 212 30 00 accessibility www.diversite.be 2. Special training for teachers to deal with homophobia 3. Creation of "equal opportunities" cheques to promote small
initiatives in that field
Bulgaria Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Ministry of Labour and Social Policy Lilia Abadjieva EU: 215,250.00 2, Triaditza Str. [email protected] National: €231,130.00 1. Media campaign with representatives and actors of the 1051 Sofia Tel.: +359 2 811 94 18 communities and groups at potential risk of discrimination Dimitar Bojilov 2. Activating children and youth Parliaments [email protected] Tel.: +359 2 811 94 39
Cyprus Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Ministry of Justice & Public Order Ekaterini Andreou EU: €120,000.00 125, Athalassas Avenue [email protected] National: €120,000.00 1. Distribution of a DVD about gender inequalities in domestic life Nicosia 1461 Tel.: + 357 22 80 59 22 Fax:+ 357 22 80 59 69 2. Launch of a campaign called "Sexual orientation : myths and Christina Laoudas realities [email protected] 3. Employers Guide for the promotion of Equality and Diversity in Tel.: +357 22 80 59 46 the Workplace Fax: +357 22 80 59 69
Czech Republic Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
EU: €249,183.00 The Office of the Government of the Czeslaw Walek National: €249,183.00 1. Campaign to eliminate prejudice towards the Roma and explain Czech Republic [email protected] the principle of inclusion thanks to multicultural education at pre- Human Rights Unit Tel. +420 296 153 358 school facilities, primary and secondary schools Nábř. E. Beneše 4 Fax: +420 296 153 257 2. The project Equality is cool : focus on a youth audience with the 118 01 Prague Website: www.vlada.cz use of 15 documentary films
Denmark Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Department of Gender Equality Gorm Fogh Scherfig EU: €150,600.00 Homens Kanal 22 [email protected] National: € 939,000.00 1. Diversity in Working Life Awards for private and public 1060 Copenhagen K Tel. +45 33 92 33 11 enterprises actively promoting diversity 2. Large distribution of a "diversity calendar" that enumerates all
relevant red-letter days for various population groups
Estonia Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
EU: €100,000.00 Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia Heili Jõe National: €100,000.00 1. A two-day international conference “Religion tolerance – European Coordination and [email protected] opportunity, obligation, responsibility linked to the annual Tartu International Relations Department Tel.: +372 62 69 242 Film Festival Gonsiori 29 2. Distribution of materials on discrimination in schools
15027 Tallinn
Finland Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Ministry of Labour Sinikka Keskinen EU: € 150,600.00 1. Respect Fest, an equal opportunity festival, will be organised in Mikonkatu 4, PL 34 [email protected] National: € 150,600.00 Helsinki city centre Bus Terminal market place wit music (top 00023 Valtioneuvosto Tel.: +358 10 60 47 040 artists), NGO-desks, story tellers, etc. or +358 50 39 60 146 2. Home for Christmas –event will be organised in museums at the Website: www.equality.fi and www.mol.fi end of the year to introduce the diversity of religions and beliefs (exhibitions and other activities)
France Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
High Authority for Combating Néphèli Yatropoulos EU: € 624,000.00 1. Job orientation assistance for young migrants Discriminations and for Equality [email protected] National: € 624,000.00 2. A theatre forum will go to basic school to rise awareness on 11 rue St-Georges Tel.: +33 1 55 31 61 33 gender equality 75009 Paris Fax: +33 1 55 31 61 49 Website: www.halde.fr
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Germany Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Federal ministry for family affairs, Roland Simon EU: € 624,100.00 1. An "Equal Opportunities" Award for enterprises promoting senior citizens, women and youth [email protected] National: €808,846.00 diversity policies Department of International Affairs Tel.: +49 30 206 55 10 42 2. Diversity as Opportunity : Diversity in enterprises in Germany, a 11018 Berlin Fax: +49 30 206 55 41 042 huge one day conference National Agency "European Year of Dr. Christine Franzius Equal Opportunities for All 2007" Oranienburger Str. 13-14 [email protected] 10178 Berlin Tel. +49 30 240 89 119 Fax: +49 30 240 89 133 Website: www.bagfw.de
Greece Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
EU: €257,894,00 Ministry of Employment and Social 1. Analysis of the situation of people older than 50 by collecting Protection Katerina Chryssochoou advertisements on jobs in the local newspaper at a regional level Pireos 40 [email protected] National: € 257,894,00 101 82 Athens Tel.: +30 210 52 95 209 193 Hungary Contact Minimum funding Examples of planned projects EU: €258,300.00 1. Photos and drawing contests will be organised around the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour Endre M. Sík thematic of diversity Department of Equal Opportunities [email protected] National: € 258,300.00 2. The national Equal opportunity Network – House of Equal Alkotmány u. 3 Tel.: +361 475 79 18 Opportunities will try to build network, give legal advice, etc. 1054 Budapest Fax: +361 332 67 54
Iceland Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Ministry of Social Affairs EU: €119,774,00 Tel.: +354 545 81 00 National: €119,774,00 150 Reykjavik Fax: +354 552 48 04 Ireland Contact Funding Examples of planned projects The Equality Authority Niall Crowley EU: €150,600.00 1. Launch of a campaign called Older and bolder to fight against [email protected] National: €311.400.00 stereotypes linked to ageing and disability 2 Clonmel Street Tel.: + 353 1 417 33 30 2. Support of an institutional capacity within the public sector to Dublin 2 Fax: + 353 1 417 33 31 accommodate diversity, promote equality and combat discrimination by supporting institutions Carole Sullivan [email protected] Tel.: + 353 1 417 33 61 Fax: + 353 1 417 33 77 www.equality.ie
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Italy Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Department for rights and equal EU: €624,100.00 1. Antiracist World Cup is a five days happening of football, Silvia della Monica opportunities National: €624,100.00 basketball, music, debates, aiming to fight racism no play field , [email protected] Secretary office especially discrimination against women and girls in sports Antidiscrimination Unit - UNAR Tel. +39 06 6779 2267 2. Actions dedicated to the promotion of Roma's rights L.go Chigi 19 Fax: +39 06 6779 2272 00187 Rome www.pariopportunita.gov.it
Latvia Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Ministry of Society integration Ilze Hermane-Sipkova EU: €100,130.00 1. Development and implementation of promotional and Elizabetes iela 20 [email protected] National: € 100,130.00 educational campaign in order to increase awareness and tolerance 1050 Riga Tel.: +371 736 53 39 of the general public towards discriminated groups of the society Fax: +371 736 53 35 2. Youth Theatre Plays about Intolerance in Latvia nowdays
Liechtenstein Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Office of Equal Opportunities EU: € 95,000.00 Aeulestrasse 51 1. Babylon Slam, a mix of Ethno-Poetry-Slam and theatre Bernadette Kubik-Risch improvisation, will be organised at the Literaturhaus Liechtenstein 9490 Vaduz Tel.: +423 236 60 60 Fax: +423 236 65 60 National: € 95,000.00
Lithuania Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Office of the Equal Opportunities Indre Mackeviciute EU: € 150,600.00 1. "Diversity award" for the "Journalist of the Year" Ombudsperson [email protected] National: € 150,600.00 Šeimyniškių 1A Tel.: +370 5 2612740 2. "Diversity Junior Award" for the winner of an essay competition 09312 Vilnius Mobile +370 612 27900 on diversity organised in schools across Lithuania Fax +370 5 2612725 3. A cycle of documentary films prepared in cooperation with one www.lygybe.lrs.lt of the TV stations. The films will focus on the issues of human rights and non-discrimination (covering different aspects of all the grounds of discrimination) and be broadcasted throughout the Year.
Luxembourg Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Government Commission for EU: € 120,000.00 1. A documentary will be produced to present the contribution Foreigners Christiane Martin made to society by women refugees in Luxembourg 12-14, ave Emile Reuter [email protected] National: € 120,000.00 2420 Luxembourg Tel.: +352 478 36 10
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Malta Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Ministry for the Family and Social EU: € 120,000.00 Solidarity Philip Farrugia Randon National: € 120,000.00 Department of Social Security [email protected] 38, Ordnance Street Joyce Borg 1. Elaboration of a diversity Charter for the work place and actions Valletta CMR 02 [email protected] in that field Tel.: + 356 25 90 32 33 2. Contest among humorists to award the best sketch about Fax: + 356 25 90 32 34 diversity 3. Round table for lawyers to share the latest legislation on equal
opportunities
Netherlands Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
EU: € 279,000.00 1. The organising committee of the museum night (referred to as National: € 280,111.00 MuseumN8) will use "Equal Opportunities" as a theme for this National implementing body Tineke de Nooij year’s event and will invite five specific participating museums to Postbus 40107 [email protected] take part in this theme, preferably together with anti- 8017 JK Zwolle Tel.: +31 06 22 38 49 76 discrimination organisations Roger de Boer 2. Equal opportunity city trip Amsterdam will propose a guided tour [email protected] on the anti-discrimination thematic Tel.: +31 06 22 38 38 21 3. Workshop will be organised for opinion leaders like journalists and teachers, and religious pastors. The focus will be on equal opportunities in general and the aim is to increase their knowledge of the legal infrastructure of Equal treatment and Equal opportunities
Norway Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
The Equality and Anti-discrimination EU: € 150,600.00 Ombud Mona Dia National: € 194,140.00 1. Actions to increase women representation in sports Grensen 5-7 Tel.: +47 24 05 59 50 2. Disabled ambassadors in the primary schools P.O.Box: 8048 Dep Fax: +47 24 05 59 60 3. Equality and non-discrimination rally race for NHO members. 0031 Oslo Website: www.ldo.no (Confederation of Norwegian enterprises)
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Poland Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Department for Women Family and EU: €581,100.00 1. Media training for journalists on the subject of discrimination, its Counteracting Discrimination Monika Ksieniewicz National: € 581.100.00 symptoms, and preventive regulations which are binding in the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy [email protected] European Union. ul. Szopena 1 Tel.: +48 022 52 00 410 2.Festival of tolerance—a three-day event full of performances, 00-599 Warsaw Fax: +48 022 52 00 451 film shows, exhibitions, and panel discussions devoted to tolerance, discrimination, and human rights Paweł Czarnecki 3. An exhibition will be staged with the use of advanced audio- [email protected] visual technologies, archival documents, documentaries, and Tel.: +48 022 520 0435 presentations on the daily life of the Roma's, their tradition, custom, and history on Polish soil.
Portugal Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
CIDM-Commission for Equality and Ana Paula Fitas EU: € 258,300.00 1. The Parliamentary Session for Equality in Diversity – Towards an Women’s Rights [email protected] National: € 260.276.00 Inclusive Society will take place in the Assembly of the Republic, Av. República, 32-1 Elza Pais coinciding with the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union. 1050-193 Lisbon [email protected] Tel.: +351 21 798 30 24 2. An initiative will award the best school Paper on multiple Fax: +351 21 797 59 99 discriminations and equal treatment and opportunities under the www.cidm.madbug.com theme “European Year of Equal Opportunities for All”, in articulation with the Ministry of Education. 3. Mobile Truck: Exhibit of pedagogic and learning materials of civic awareness of the European Year across the country (including
autonomous regions) in order to promote the social utility representation of diversity and peaceful coexistence.
Romania Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Ministry of Labor, Social Solidarity EU: € 301,300.00 and Family Andra Croitoru National: € 301,300.00 1. Organising a marathon for diversity : using sport as bridge Address: 2-4, Dem .I. Dobrescu [email protected] within people Street, Sector 1, Bucharest Marian Tanase 2. Exploring multiple discriminations during an equality week, via [email protected] thematic contests, minorities' festival, theatrical plays on sexual Tel.: +40 21 316 20 44 orientation, etc. Fax: +40 21 316 20 43
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Slovakia Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Slovak Republic Government Office Milan Vrbovsky EU: € 150,600.00 1. An action called "We are here – The days of otherness" aims at Section of Human Rights and [email protected] National: € 152,257.00 making persons with different sexual orientation more visible as Minorities Tel. +421 2 5729 5367 part of the Slovak and European society (this includes a theather Námestie slobody 1 Fax: +421 2 5729 5424 performance on the paly "Beyond Therapy" and an art competition 813 70 Bratislava 1 entitled "Coming Out-Art – accompanying event of the Euro Gay Games 2007) L'ubica Zajacová [email protected] 2. A project of the non-governmental organisation “People against Tel.: 421 2 5729 5311 Racism” plans to verify, through field testing, whether the state www.mensiny.vlada.gov.sk authorities, territorial self-government authorities, and interest associations, but also natural persons and legal entities comply with their obligations imposed by the anti-discrimination law.
Slovenia Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Cveto URŠIČ EU: € 120,000.00 Affairs [email protected] National: € 243,608.00 Kotnikova 5 Tel.: +386 1 369 75 38 1. An anti-discrimination training for Media and Equality will be 1000 Ljubljana Fax: +386 1 369 75 64 organised by the Peace Institute 2. 50 weekly programmes and 12 special monthly programmes will
be dedicated to the European Year 3. The festival “Play with me” will comprise an art competition, a competition for participating in dramatic and animation shows, a call for the participation of school and institutional musical groups of other children and adolescents, and a call for participation in a fashion show,
Spain Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Directorate-General for the EU: € 581,000.00 1. Materials for persons who are victims of discrimination in socio- Amapola Blasco Marhuenda Integration of Migrants National: € 702,656.00 professional area [email protected] C/José Abascal, 39 2. Study about the treatment of information concerning Tel.: +34 91 36 31 619 28003 MADRID immigration in Spain
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Sweden Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
The Delegation for Human Rights in Marie Stenman EU: € 215,250.00 1. Urix, an annual youth conference, will arrange platforms for Sweden [email protected] National: € 320,506 youths to meet to discuss discrimination and the goals of the 10333 Stockholm Tel.: +46 8 40 53 511 European Year 2. Lisa Syrén, one of the hosts for the popular radio programme Karlavagnen, will air two programs during 2007 with the theme human rights and discrimination
United Kingdom Contact Funding Examples of planned projects
Commission for Equality and Human EU: € 624,100 1. Engaging young people as one of the groups least involved in Rights National: € 640,000.00 local communities. Dealing with very localised conflicts between Kingsgate House rights, using human rights are a framework 66-74 Victoria Street 2. Intercultural Week will take place in Ireland, North and South London SW1E 6SW during the week 18h - 24th March 2007. The week incorporates the UN International Day against Racial discrimination.
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