2007 - 2013 Structural Funds Programmes in Wales Equal Opportunities Cross Cutting Theme

1. 2007 - 2013 Structural Funds Programmes in Wales Equal Opportunities Cross Cutting Theme Chriss O’Connell Equality Adviser Strategy Branch Planning & Strategy Division

2. Outline of Presentation • What is a cross cutting theme? • Policy context • Key Issues and Objectives • Implementation strategy • Vertical and horizontal integration • Cross cutting themes guidance Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

3. What is a Cross Cutting Theme? Based on Structural Fund Regulations: Equal Opportunities Reducing injustice and promoting social cohesion. The opportunity for all to use their skills and abilities and raising the levels of GDP and addressing the imbalance in earnings for women and men. Environmental Sustainability Ensuring economic activity will not adversely impact on the environment and the promotion of the environment as an economic driver. Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

4. Policy Context EO Objectives for the Programme mainly based on: • Social and economic analysis for the region • Lisbon agenda for job’s and growth • European Employment Strategy • Treaty of Amsterdam • EC Roadmap for Equality Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

5. Key Issues for the Equal Opportunities Theme • Removing barriers to participation • Raising levels of educational attainment, skills and innovation • Reducing levels of economic inactivity • Strategies to tackle the gender pay gap and occupational segregation • Supporting employers to develop structures and working practices, which are inclusive of all. • Enhancing the lives of individuals, families and communities Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

6. Equal Opportunities – 4 Objectives • Increase the number of individuals who have multiple disadvantages accessing employment and self employment • continuing high rates of inactivity Wales • individual learning packages / multi-agency approach • back to work plans • support from employers • recognition of the length of time and level of support needed • positive action measures Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

7. Equal Opportunities Objectives cont. 2 Increasing the numbers of women, Black & minority ethnic people and disabled people, securing training and employment in higher paid and higher skilled sectors and self employment • equal access to business support and entrepreneurial training • access to funds and advice • home reconciliation strategies by employers • equality training for training providers • supportive physical environment Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

8. Equal Opportunities Objectives cont. 3. Challenging occupational segregation by increasing the numbers of women and men training or retraining in non-traditional areas, focusing on areas where there are skills shortages • women still face both horizontal and vertical segregation • combating gender stereotypes from an early age • awareness training to teachers and students • encouraging young women and men to explore non-traditional educational paths • particular attention given to facilitating women’s entry into science, engineering, construction, ICT and management Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

9. Equal Opportunities Objectives cont. 4. Increasing the number of employers and training organisations that develop equality and diversity strategies, including monitoring systems and methods for building in improvements • development of good equality structures and practices and diversity strategies • develop flexible work and training delivery methods • child and elder care support • accessible environments • work-home reconciliation applies equally to men as it does to women • monitoring and formal mechanisms for improvements • combating prejudice and discrimination Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

10. Strategy for Implementation • Equal opportunities assessment throughout project development • Equality Impact Assessment built into project assessments • Ongoing specialist advice from an early stage • Activity level guidance • Equal opportunities targets • Regular monitoring of progress allowing for early intervention, if necessary • Update reports to Programme Monitoring Committee • Continued involvement of the external Cross-Cutting Themes Group Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

11. Vertical and Horizontal Activities Vertical • Activities where equal opportunities is the main focus of the project Horizontal • A project where equality isn’t the main focus but there are opportunities to integrate equality issues Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

12. Cross Cutting Themes GuidanceEqual Opportunities Supplying Young People Knowledge Based Economy Increasing Employment & Tackling Economic Activity Business Competitiveness KEY DOCUMENT plus refer to ONE of the following documents Strategic Infrastructure ImprovingSkills & Adaptability Modernising and Improving Public Services Attractive Business Environment Sustainable Communities Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

13. Summary • High level commitment made to the CCT’s • Clear objectives identified / targets and monitoring systems • Early involvement and on-going support • Detailed guidance developed • Partnership approach Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Ewrop a Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future