Important legal notice
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To know about the Year's Legacy

The European Year should be proud to have brought the message of equality and anti-discrimination to so many people in Europe and beyond.

The EU Member States officially recognised the numerous achievements of the European Year and, most importantly, took on many commitments in early December 2007. For example, they committed to strengthening their efforts to combat discrimination inside and outside the labour market, while fully incorporating civil society and social partners in the process. They have also recognised the importance of dealing with multiple discrimination and using tools such as mainstreaming, positive action, and data collection to make equality a reality. Read more in the Council Resolution on the follow up on the 2007 European Year.

The Year has also achieved a lot when it comes to behind the scenes processes, which are essential to bringing equality to the foreground of European life. A key feature of the preparation and implementation of the Year was for the national authority in each country to designate a single contact point charged with establishing a national strategy on all challenges involved in battling each ground of discrimination covered by Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam and thus addressed by the Year, i.e. sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. This was done in cooperation with civil society, social partners and other governmental institutions.

In some countries this was the first time that public bodies on national and regional levels engaged in a dialogue with NGOs and social partners on these issues and it will be maintained beyond this Year. How the goals of equality can be achieved and how it can be made sure that Article 13 be respected will be decided nationally by each individual country. The European Commission, for its part, will promote a sustained cross-grounds dialogue on the European level, allowing players to exchange experiences and develop common approaches to common problems. Annual Equality Summits will provide the opportunity to address this cooperative work while giving it direction and force.

Finally, the European Year has been instrumental in bringing key issues to the forefront, such as multiple discrimination and diversity in the workplace. The Year has also highlighted the benefits of mechanisms such as positive action, equality duties, monitoring systems and data gathering as effective tools in making equality a reality.

What next?

In mid-2008 the European Commission will develop these and other ideas in a policy document (Communiqué) and set the framework to develop non-discrimination policy in the EU.

Funding for activities pertaining to the promotion of non-discrimination will continue under the EU PROGRESS programme for employment and social solidarity between 2007 and 2013. The PROGRESS programme will also provide financial support to EQUINET, the newly established network of specialised Equality Bodies, which are vital institutions that assist victims of discrimination.

35 further national awareness raising activities have already been selected for funding by the PROGRESS programme in 2008. These projects range from a teacher's manual (Sweden) to an antiracism week (Ireland, Italy). All the projects aim to improve understanding of equality issues and challenge stereotypes and prejudices. You can read more about projects supported by the European Commission in 2007 here. The next call for proposals will be published by the end of March 2008 online.

The EU will continue the campaign to raise awareness around the right to live free from discrimination through the “stop-discrimination campaign.” In 2008, “stop-discrimination” will persist in making the existing legislation known and to combat discrimination, as well as in promoting the benefits of diversity across the EU. The popular ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination’ Truck returns in 2008. The tour, set to launch in June, will visit ten EU Member States and will bring together business, NGOs, musicians, artists and the general public to explore discrimination and diversity issues. The Journalist Award 2008 will also be launched during the summer. Now in its third year, the award honours journalists in the EU who, through their work, contribute to a better public understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination. 

Voices heard: Victims of discrimination

The European Year was instrumental in making the voice of victims of discrimination heard in the debate on equal rights and opportunities in the European Union and, indeed, in the whole world. Among the most striking initiatives within this framework figure the Diversity Ambassadors of the Year, the Faces of the Year, and the Young People’s Panel – all these gave a distinctly human dimension to the Year and played a key role in getting the public involved.

All Ambassadors were goodwill representatives of the Year’s mission and willing to use their names and faces to support its message, paving the way for a more just future.

The Faces of the Year were ordinary citizens who have been subjected to discrimination in the workplace and/or in their everyday lives. They went right to the front of the fight against discrimination, visiting schools in more than twelve European countries including France, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia and many others. They spoke to students about equality and how all EU citizens can contribute to the fight for equal opportunities and anti-discrimination.

The Young People’s Panel proved to be a valuable addition to the discourse generated by the Year. A group of 10 very engaged young Europeans, all of whom had been in situations of discrimination and unequal treatment, shared their insight and thoughts with European policy makers, civil society and stakeholders.