[WiLT] EHRC Equality Scheme, Strategic Plan and Grant Scheme Consultations

[WiL Admin]

Equality Scheme, Strategic Plan and Grant Scheme Consultations


** Equality scheme and strategic plan consultation **

We will do this by involving our stakeholders in:
* A review of progress on the 2008/09 equality scheme, identifying
achievements to date
* Learning the lessons from the first six months of implementing the
scheme and the results from completed equality impact assessments
* A review of current priorities and any new and emerging areas to be
considered
The three-year equality scheme will be published on 1 April 2009. This
will be a single scheme which covers not only the statutory
disability, gender and race equality legislation but all areas of our
remit - age, transgender, and sexual orientation and religion or
belief.

First phase Now Open - During this phase of consultation and
involvement we are looking for your ideas and feedback on a number of
key questions, which will help to shape our three-year strategic plan
and equality scheme.

It opened on Wednesday the 5th of November 2008 and will close on
Sunday the 7th of December 2008


** Grants scheme consultation **

Grants scheme consultation now open - The questions seek your feedback
on our proposals to develop the way we issue grants.

It opened on Wednesday the 5th of November 2008 and will close on
Wednesday the 21st of January 2009

The anticipated role of grants in delivering our work programme

It is clear from the Interim Grants Programme that organisations
across the voluntary and community, corporate, private and public
sectors are keen to improve equality and human rights and that the
Commission itself will not fully satisfy the demands for funding,
expertise and awareness that are needed.

The Commission's grants programme will need to work in partnership
with other bodies, and encourage others to work in partnership as
well. This will necessitate a shift in focus in how we work.

In Scotland, the Scottish Commission for Human Rights must also agree
the funding, where grants relate to human rights work. We will
therefore be working closely with them to ensure a synergy between our
work programmes and the focus of human rights grant funding.


You have to register to take part in either or both of these
consultations. You can do this by going to
http://equalityhumanrights.dialoguebydesign.net/ (note)


Read more about the consultations and / or download back ground papers
at:

** The Commission's Strategic Plan, Equality Scheme and Grants
Programme **

We are developing our three-year strategic plan and equality scheme,
both of which will be published in April 2009.  We are also looking at
ways in which we can shape our grants programme in line with our
strategic priorities.

In November and December 2008, our first stage of involvement and
consultation, we will be holding a number of regional and national
events across England, Scotland and Wales as well as running an online
consultation, in order to capture a wide range of stakeholder views on
key questions.

The events and online consultation will provide an opportunity for
anyone with an interest in what we do to inform the development of the
draft strategic plan and draft equality scheme.

The second stage of our involvement and consultation programme
involves us seeking feedback on the draft strategic plan and draft
equality scheme.  Feedback in this stage will be used to inform the
final strategic plan and equality scheme.

If you would like more information on how to get involved please email
businessplanning at equalityhumanrights.com

Online consultation

The online consultation opened on 5 November. There are different
phases within the consultation - when you register you will receive
information about the start and end dates of these.

Getting a flavour of our work so far

To find out more about what the Commission does, you can view One
Year, Ten Voices. This gives a flavour of our work in our first year
by focussing on ten people who's lives have been touched by the
Commission's work.

Consultation guides

We have produced a number of guides for use at the consultation
events, which give a more detailed idea about our approach, draft
plans and emerging priorities. They also highlight particular
questions about which we are seeking views. These can be downloaded
below.

Download any of the following:
* Equality Scheme consultation guides - Preparing for our three-year
equality scheme: a stakeholder discussion guide
* Strategic Plan consultation guides - Preparing for our three-year
strategic plan: a stakeholder discussion guide
* Grant Programme consultation guides - Consultation on the Equality
and Human Rights Commission's Grants Programme
from
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/policyresearch/consultations/pages/consultnov08.aspx


(note: In case it isn't clear - well it wasn't to me to begin with -
once you are registered it is possible to read all the questions in
either consultation by clicking on the next button at the bottom of
the screen of questions without needing to answer. So for instance the
Strategic Plan questions are quite detailed and it may be worth
copying them down to give you time to prepare your answers in advance
of answering online. Just a thought. Deborah)