The objective of the present survey is to obtain up-to-date evidence from key stakeholders, concerning (i) the challenges faced by equality bodies at national level and (ii) the issues which should be prioritised at EU level in order to best help the bodies reach their full potential.

In order to ensure application of the EU's equal treatment legislation, the Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC) as well as the Gender Equality Directives (2004/113/EC, 2006/54/EC and 2010/41/EU) require that Member States set up equality bodies.

According to the Directives, equality bodies have to cover, as a minimum, the grounds of racial or ethnic origin and sex. Equality bodies set out to:

• provide independent assistance to victims of discrimination in pursuing complaints,
• conduct independent surveys,
• publish independent reports,
• and make recommendations. 

EU Member States have discretion as to the structure and functioning of equality bodies. This has resulted in different models of equality bodies in terms of mandate, competences, structures and resources.

The questionnaire is specifically addressed to authorities and equality bodies from EU Member States, the European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet), the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions, the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR), and civil society organisations active in the area of equality.

Any individual or organisation interested in the topic may also reply to the questionnaire.

You can access the questionnaire here.

Should you have any question, please send an email to JUST-D1@ec.europa.eu.

Replies should be sent by 23 April 2018.

The replies to the questionnaire are published at the bottom of this page.

For more details on how your privacy data and contributions will be dealt with please see the attached document below.