Equal Opportunities seeks to influence behaviour through legislation so that discrimination is prevented. It is based on moral and ethical arguments and is concerned with promoting the rights of all members in society.
Equal Opportunities focuses on securing the equality of groups, particularly minority groups. It seeks to alleviate the disadvantages that are experienced by them. Legislation is, therefore, supported by practical procedures such as Positive Action to assist under represented groups in a particular area of work or in the workforce generally. Programmes can address such imbalance by ensuring that training opportunities and funded projects are opened up to the wider community and those groups who have been traditionally under represented.
What is Diversity?
In contrast to Equal Opportunities which, focuses on groups and potential discrimination within those groups, Diversity concentrates on the difference of individuals. Managing Diversity is based on the economic and business case for recognising and valuing difference, rather than the moral case for treating people equally. Equal treatment offers benefits and advantages to employers if they invest in ensuring that everyone in the organisation is valued and given the opportunity to develop their potential.
By integrating Equal Opportunity into your programme structure and embracing Diversity at an organisational level you will add value to the work you do and meet community needs. You can demonstrate your commitment to equality in a number of ways including:
- An Equal Opportunities policy
- Policy statement
- Implementation
- Monitoring and evaluation
Equal Opportunities in Structural Funding
Equal Opportunities mainstreaming is a systematic process of identifying issues and integrating Equal Opportunities into all aspects of planning and implementation including monitoring and evaluation. It involves identifying lessons learned and systematically promoting and disseminating good practice in Equal Opportunities.
Vision Statement
The European Unit within the Government Office for London works in partnership to contribute to the economic prosperity and regeneration of London through the efficient and effective use of European Structural Fund money; we aim to ensure that European Structural Funds benefit all of the diverse communities throughout London.
Mission Statement
Our promise is to remove barriers to European Structural Funds faced by women, ethnic minorities and disabled people; to secure measurable benefits to these key groups as a direct result of European Structural Funds; and to ensure European Structural Funds are managed by organisations and committees that are representative of the diversity of London’s communities.
