About Equal

Funded through the European Social Fund, Equal is an initiative which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the labour market, both for those in work and for those seeking work, through transnational co-operation. Equal also includes action to help the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers. Equal operates across identified thematic fields which embrace the four pillars of the European Employment Strategy and support for asylum seekers. Equal funds activities implemented by strategic partnerships called Development Partnerships (DPs) of which Social Enterprise Partnership GB is just one. Each Development Partnership addresses one thematic field of its choice.

Equal encourages participation and transnational co-operation through partnership building across five priority areas which are closely focussed on key issues of concern in Britain. It will, over time, develop good practice that can enhance the delivery of mainstream UK and Structural Fund activity.

Equal operates in stages called Actions 1, 2 and 3. Action 1 is the first stage lasting up to six months during which Development Partnerships prepare their programme of activities. Action 2 covers the main implementation activities of work programmes approved at the end of Action 1. Action 3 covers the thematic networking and dissemination of good practice and impact on national policies.

The first round of Equal Development Partnerships was launched with 77 Development Partnerships in Great Britain, and eight in Northern Ireland. The total request for ESF funding (to be matched at 50%) amounts to some £3.9m in Action 1 across Great Britain. Subject to the satisfactory completion of Action 1, activities to the value of some £86m will be funded during Action 2 across Great Britain. The second call for Equal applications will take place in 2004.