EQUAL INITIATIVES
EQUAL is the new European Social Fund (ESF) programme to promote
transnational cooperation on discrimination and inequality in the labour
market. EQUAL also focuses on helping the social and vocational
integration of asylum seekers.
The programme is defined by the following themes:
Ø Employability: creation of an open labour market
Ø Entrepreneurship: opening business opportunities to all
Ø Adaptability: developing vocational training and IT skills
Ø Equal opportunities for women and men: equality at work
EQUAL will support the following activities:
Ø Action 1 – setting up Development Partnerships and transnational
co-operation
Ø Action 2 – implementing the Development Partnerships’ work programmes
Ø Action 3 – thematic networking and dissemination of good practice
Ø Action 4 – technical assistance to support actions 1,2 and 3
The public consultation on EQUAL in England has started and parallel
consultations will take place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It is hoped to complete negotiations with the European Commission by
February 2001 and then decisions will be made on new deadlines for
application. There are 376 million euros allocated to the UK for the
period 2000-2006.
The draft guidelines can be downloaded from:
http://www.adapt.ecotec.co.uk/FUNDING/Equal.htm
For further information contact:
England
Rod Gilchrist
DfEE ESF Unit
Tel: 0207 273 4816
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web: www.esfnews.org.uk/
Wales
Damien O’Brien
European Affairs Division
Tel: 029 2082 5866
Fax: 029 2082 3900
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web: www.wefo.wales.gov.uk/frameset.htm
Scotland
Scottish Executive
Kirsty McKenna
Tel: 0131 244 0703
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
eurodesk/European Resource Centre Scotland
Community Learning Scotland
Rosebery House
9 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh EH12 5EZ
Tel: 0131 313 2488
Fax: 0131 313 6800
Email: [log in to unmask]
Website: www.ercscotland.eurodesk.org
European website: www.eurodesk.org
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