MEMO/07/24
Brussels, 23rd January 2007
[Graphic in PDF & Word format]
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.
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.
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 & Labour Susanne Piffl-Pavelec EU: €215,250.00 A large national information and promotional campaign on rights and equal opportunities Stubenring 1 Susanne.piffl-pavelec@bmwa.gv.at National: €215,250.00 1010 Vienna Department III/10 Tel.: +43 1 711 00 65 85 www.bmwa.gv.at Belgium Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Centre for equal opportunities Rue Royale, 138 1000 Brussels Nadine Brauns EU2007@cntr.be Tel.: +32 02 212 30 00 www.diversite.be EU: €258,300.00 National: €259,055.00 1. The "Universal design" week, focusing on handicap and accessibility 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 2, Triaditza Str. 1051 Sofia Lilia Abadjieva l.abadjieva@mlsp.government.bg Tel.: +359 2 811 94 18 EU: 215,250.00 National: €231,130.00 1. Media campaign with representatives and actors of the communities and groups at potential risk of discrimination Dimitar Bojilov 2. Activating children and youth Parliaments dbojilov@mlsp.government.bg Tel.: +359 2 811 94 39 Cyprus Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Ministry of Justice & Public Order 125, Athalassas Avenue Nicosia 1461 Ekaterini Andreou eandreou@mjpo.gov.cy Tel.: + 357 22 80 59 22 Fax:+ 357 22 80 59 69 EU: €120,000.00 National: €120,000.00 1. Distribution of a DVD about gender inequalities in domestic life Christina Laoudas 2. Launch of a campaign called "Sexual orientation : myths and realities claoudas@mjpo.gov.cyTel.: +357 22 80 59 46 3. Employers Guide for the promotion of Equality and Diversity in the Workplace Fax: +357 22 80 59 69 Czech Republic Contact Funding Examples of planned projects The Office of the Government of the Czech Republic Human Rights Unit Czeslaw Walek walek.czeslaw@vlada.cz Tel. +420 296 153 358 EU: €249,183.00 National: €249,183.00 1. Campaign to eliminate prejudice towards the Roma and explain the principle of inclusion thanks to multicultural education at pre-school facilities, primary and secondary schools Nábř. E. Beneše 4 118 01 Prague Fax: +420 296 153 257 Website: www.vlada.cz 2. The project Equality is cool : focus on a youth audience with the use of 15 documentary films Denmark Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Department of Gender Equality Homens Kanal 22 1060 Copenhagen K Gorm Fogh Scherfig lige@lige.dk Tel. +45 33 92 33 11 EU: €150,600.00 National: € 939,000.00 1. Diversity in Working Life Awards for private and public 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 Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia European Coordination and International Relations Department Heili Jõe heili.joe@sm.ee Tel.: +372 62 69 242 EU: €100,000.00 National: €100,000.00 1. A two-day international conference “Religion tolerance – opportunity, obligation, responsibility linked to the annual Tartu Film Festival Gonsiori 29 15027 Tallinn 2. Distribution of materials on discrimination in schools Finland Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Ministry of Labour Mikonkatu 4, PL 34 00023 Valtioneuvosto Sinikka Keskinen sinikka.keskinen@mol.fi Tel.: +358 10 60 47 040 EU: € 150,600.00 National: € 150,600.00 1. Respect Fest, an equal opportunity festival, will be organised in Helsinki city centre Bus Terminal market place wit music (top artists), NGO-desks, story tellers, etc. or +358 50 39 60 146 Website: www.equality.fi and www.mol.fi 2. Home for Christmas –event will be organised in museums at the 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 Discriminations and for Equality 11 rue St-Georges 75009 Paris Néphèli Yatropoulos nepheli.yatropoulos@halde.fr Tel.: +33 1 55 31 61 33 Fax: +33 1 55 31 61 49 Website: www.halde.fr EU: € 624,000.00 National: € 624,000.00 1. Job orientation assistance for young migrants 2. A theatre forum will go to basic school to rise awareness on gender equality Germany Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Federal ministry for family affairs, senior citizens, women and youth Roland Simon Roland.Simon@bmfsfj.bund.de EU: € 624,100.00 National: €808,846.00 1. An "Equal Opportunities" Award for enterprises promoting diversity policies Department of International Affairs 11018 Berlin Tel.: +49 30 206 55 10 42 Fax: +49 30 206 55 41 042 2. Diversity as Opportunity : Diversity in enterprises in Germany, a huge one day conference National Agency "European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007" Dr. Christine Franzius Oranienburger Str. 13-14 christine.franzius@bag-wohlfahrt.de 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 Ministry of Employment and Social Protection Katerina Chryssochoou EU: €257,894,00 1. Analysis of the situation of people older than 50 by collecting advertisements on jobs in the local newspaper at a regional level Pireos 40 ypergdkp@otenet.gr National: € 257,894,00 101 82 Athens Tel.: +30 210 52 95 209 193 Hungary Contact Minimum funding Examples of planned projects Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour Endre M. Sík EU: €258,300.00 1. Photos and drawing contests will be organised around the thematic of diversity Department of Equal Opportunities Alkotmány u. 3 eselyev2007@szmm.gov.huTel.: +361 475 79 18 National: € 258,300.00 2. The national Equal opportunity Network – House of Equal 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 Tel.: +354 545 81 00 EU: €119,774,00 National: €119,774,00 150 Reykjavik Fax: +354 552 48 04 Ireland Contact Funding Examples of planned projects The Equality Authority Niall Crowley ncrowley@equality.ie EU: €150,600.00 National: €311.400.00 1. Launch of a campaign called Older and bolder to fight against stereotypes linked to ageing and disability 2 Clonmel Street Dublin 2 Tel.: + 353 1 417 33 30 Fax: + 353 1 417 33 31 2. Support of an institutional capacity within the public sector to accommodate diversity, promote equality and combat discrimination by supporting institutions Carole Sullivan csullivan@equality.ie Tel.: + 353 1 417 33 61 Fax: + 353 1 417 33 77 www.equality.ie Italy Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Department for rights and equal opportunities Secretary office Silvia della Monica antidiscriminazioni@pariopportunita.gov.it EU: €624,100.00 National: €624,100.00 1. Antiracist World Cup is a five days happening of football, basketball, music, debates, aiming to fight racism no play field , 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 Elizabetes iela 20 1050 Riga Ilze Hermane-Sipkova ilze.hermane@integracija.gov.lv Tel.: +371 736 53 39 Fax: +371 736 53 35 EU: €100,130.00 National: € 100,130.00 1. Development and implementation of promotional and educational campaign in order to increase awareness and tolerance of the general public towards discriminated groups of the society 2. Youth Theatre Plays about Intolerance in Latvia nowdays Liechtenstein Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Office of Equal Opportunities Aeulestrasse 51 9490 Vaduz Bernadette Kubik-Risch Tel.: +423 236 60 60 EU: € 95,000.00 1. Babylon Slam, a mix of Ethno-Poetry-Slam and theatre improvisation, will be organised at the Literaturhaus Liechtenstein Fax: +423 236 65 60 National: € 95,000.00 Lithuania Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson Indre Mackeviciute inmack@lrs.lt EU: € 150,600.00 National: € 150,600.00 1. "Diversity award" for the "Journalist of the Year" Šeimyniškių 1A 09312 Vilnius Tel.: +370 5 2612740 Mobile +370 612 27900 2. "Diversity Junior Award" for the winner of an essay competition on diversity organised in schools across Lithuania Fax +370 5 2612725 www.lygybe.lrs.lt 3. A cycle of documentary films prepared in cooperation with one 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 Foreigners Christiane Martin EU: € 120,000.00 1. A documentary will be produced to present the contribution made to society by women refugees in Luxembourg 12-14, ave Emile Reuter Christiane.Martin@fm.etat.lu National: € 120,000.00 2420 Luxembourg Tel.: +352 478 36 10 Malta Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity Department of Social Security 38, Ordnance Street Valletta CMR 02 Philip Farrugia Randon pip@onvol.net Joyce Borg josephine.a.borg@gov.mt EU: € 120,000.00 National: € 120,000.00 1. Elaboration of a diversity Charter for the work place and actions in that field Tel.: + 356 25 90 32 33 Fax: + 356 25 90 32 34 2. Contest among humorists to award the best sketch about diversity 3. Round table for lawyers to share the latest legislation on equal opportunities Netherlands Contact Funding Examples of planned projects National implementing body Postbus 40107 8017 JK Zwolle Tineke de Nooij c.de.nooij@agentschapszw.nl Tel.: +31 06 22 38 49 76 EU: € 279,000.00 National: € 280,111.00 1. The organising committee of the museum night (referred to as MuseumN8) will use "Equal Opportunities" as a theme for this year’s event and will invite five specific participating museums to take part in this theme, preferably together with anti-discrimination organisations Roger de Boer r.de.boer@agentschapszw.nl 2. Equal opportunity city trip Amsterdam will propose a guided tour 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 Ombud Grensen 5-7 P.O.Box: 8048 Dep 0031 Oslo Mona Dia Tel.: +47 24 05 59 50 Fax: +47 24 05 59 60 Website: www.ldo.no EU: € 150,600.00 National: € 194,140.00 1. Actions to increase women representation in sports 2. Disabled ambassadors in the primary schools 3. Equality and non-discrimination rally race for NHO members. (Confederation of Norwegian enterprises) Poland Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Department for Women Family and Counteracting Discrimination Ministry of Labour and Social Policy ul. Szopena 1 00-599 Warsaw Monika Ksieniewicz Monika.Ksieniewicz@mps.gov.pl Tel.: +48 022 52 00 410 Fax: +48 022 52 00 451 Paweł Czarnecki pawel.czarnecki@mps.gov.pl Tel.: +48 022 520 0435 EU: €581,100.00 National: € 581.100.00 1. Media training for journalists on the subject of discrimination, its symptoms, and preventive regulations which are binding in the European Union. 2.Festival of tolerance—a three-day event full of performances, film shows, exhibitions, and panel discussions devoted to tolerance, discrimination, and human rights 3. An exhibition will be staged with the use of advanced audio-visual technologies, archival documents, documentaries, and 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 Women’s Rights Av. República, 32-1 1050-193 Lisbon Ana Paula Fitas anapaula.fitas@cidm.pt Elza Pais elza.pais@cidm.pt EU: € 258,300.00 National: € 260.276.00 1. The Parliamentary Session for Equality in Diversity – Towards an Inclusive Society will take place in the Assembly of the Republic, coinciding with the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union. Tel.: +351 21 798 30 24 Fax: +351 21 797 59 99 www.cidm.madbug.com 2. An initiative will award the best school Paper on multiple discriminations and equal treatment and opportunities under the 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 and Family Address: 2-4, Dem .I. Dobrescu Street, Sector 1, Bucharest Andra Croitoru andra.croitoru@anes.ro EU: € 301,300.00 National: € 301,300.00 1. Organising a marathon for diversity : using sport as bridge within people Marian Tanase marian.tanase@anes.ro Tel.: +40 21 316 20 44 Fax: +40 21 316 20 43 2. Exploring multiple discriminations during an equality week, via thematic contests, minorities' festival, theatrical plays on sexual orientation, etc. Slovakia Contact Funding Examples of planned projects Slovak Republic Government Office Section of Human Rights and Minorities Námestie slobody 1 813 70 Bratislava 1 Milan Vrbovsky milan.vrbovsky@vlada.gov.sk Tel. +421 2 5729 5367 Fax: +421 2 5729 5424 EU: € 150,600.00 National: € 152,257.00 1. An action called "We are here – The days of otherness" aims at making persons with different sexual orientation more visible as part of the Slovak and European society (this includes a theather performance on the paly "Beyond Therapy" and an art competition entitled "Coming Out-Art – accompanying event of the Euro Gay Games 2007) L'ubica Zajacová Lubica.zajacova@vlada.gov.sk Tel.: 421 2 5729 5311 www.mensiny.vlada.gov.sk 2. A project of the non-governmental organisation “People against Racism” plans to verify, through field testing, whether the state 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 Affairs Kotnikova 5 1000 Ljubljana Cveto URŠIČ cveto.ursic@gov.si Tel.: +386 1 369 75 38 Fax: +386 1 369 75 64 EU: € 120,000.00 National: € 243,608.00 1. An anti-discrimination training for Media and Equality will be 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 Integration of Migrants C/José Abascal, 39 28003 MADRID Amapola Blasco Marhuenda oberaxe@mtas.es Tel.: +34 91 36 31 619 EU: € 581,000.00 National: € 702,656.00 1. Materials for persons who are victims of discrimination in socio-professional area 2. Study about the treatment of information concerning immigration in Spain Sweden Contact Funding Examples of planned projects The Delegation for Human Rights in Sweden 10333 Stockholm Marie Stenman Marie.stenman@justice.ministry.se Tel.: +46 8 40 53 511 EU: € 215,250.00 National: € 320,506 1. Urix, an annual youth conference, will arrange platforms for youths to meet to discuss discrimination and the goals of the 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 Rights Kingsgate House EU: € 624,100 National: € 640,000.00 1. Engaging young people as one of the groups least involved in local communities. Dealing with very localised conflicts between rights, using human rights are a framework 66-74 Victoria Street London SW1E 6SW 2. Intercultural Week will take place in Ireland, North and South during the week 18h - 24th March 2007. The week incorporates the UN International Day against Racial discrimination. 
