Regional Partnership to Capacity Build the BME Voluntary Sector in the East of England Region
Background
Equality Impact Assessment Training
Recognising Contributions of BME Individuals
What is an Equality Impact Assessment?
Voluntary Sector Training Dates
Background
In December 2006 Norwich and Norfolk Racial Equality Council was awarded a grant of £100,000 through the Capacitybuilders Improving Reach Pilot Grants Programme. This programme aims to ‘improve the reach’ of infrastructure bodies to help Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCOs) to work more effectively and to increase access to capacity building and support for a range of frontline groups and organisations (particularly BME, refugee, migrant, faith and isolated rural groups). NNREC was one of only four organisations in the East of England region to receive this funding.
The project has been designed to maximise the benefits of partnership working across the six counties in the East of England Region (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk). A Project Steering Group consisting of representatives from each of the counties was set up in February 2007 and key partners from the BME voluntary sector were identified to roll the project out in their areas.
Aims and Objectives
The project has two main dimensions:
A: Delivering Equality Impact Assessment Training
At the heart of the project lies the delivery of Equality Impact Assessment training throughout the East of England Region. In each of the counties there will be two training sessions tailored to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and one training session aimed at the Public Sector.
What is an Equality Impact Assessment?
Equality Impact Assessments refer to the systematic analysis of policy, practice and procedures aimed at identifying and reducing any adverse impact that these might have on specific sections of the community in line with equal opportunities legislation and good practice. |
VCOs, like other organisations, are bound by the general prohibition of racial discrimination enshrined in the Race Relations Act (1976). Unlike Public Bodies (Local Government, The Police, Schools etc), they do not have a legal duty to promote race equality (stipulated by the Race Relations Amendment (2000) Act), however their connections to the local community and their ability to stimulate and support community cohesion, mean that they have a crucial role to play in helping public authorities to promote good race relations. In addition to this role, and as the VCS take on more contracts for the delivery of public services, they need to evidence that they are compliant with the statutory public duty, as applied to the public sector.
Through the delivery of this training programme the project will help to strengthen the capacity of the VCOs in the East of England Region to conduct Equality Impact Assessments and thereby monitor, and evidence scrutiny of, the policies and procedures of key decision makers in the region. The training will build the confidence and competencies of the VCS to demonstrate their own good practice. The Public Sector training will provide key decision makers with a valuable insight into the importance of the Equalities Impact Assessment process and the necessary skills and knowledge with which to conduct them more effectively.
Voluntary Sector Training Dates
All training sessions will run from 9am- 4.30pm unless otherwise announced. For more information please contact Kemal Shaheen (kemal.shaheen@nnrec.org.uk or on 01603 611 644)
Date/Time Location
July 30th TBC Essex
December 3rd/5th or 7th TBC Essex
August 23rd St Albans, Hertfordshire
October 9th St Albans, Hertfordshire
30th August TBC Suffolk
6th September TBC Suffolk
TBC TBC Norfolk
5th October Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
18th October TBC Cambridgeshire
14th November Bedford, Bedfordshire
29th November Luton, Bedfordshire
B: Recognising the Contributions of BME individuals to the Voluntary and Community Sector
Voluntary work makes an important contribution to society and often helps to engender community cohesion however frequently the dedicated work of volunteers goes unrecognised and un-rewarded. The second important dimension of this project is to recognise, value and acknowledge the contribution BME individuals make to the VCS.
In each of the counties four ‘Community Champions’ who have made pioneering contributions to the BME Voluntary and Community Sector will be profiled for inclusion on the ‘equal but different’ website. As well as highlighting the excellent work that they do, these profiles will give an insight into their personal backgrounds and reveal what motivates them in their work and life. In addition to the Community Champion profiles this project will also highlight the invaluable work done by committed BME volunteers who work tirelessly for the Voluntary and Community Sector without financial remuneration. Their inspiring dedication and drive will be recognised and rewarded at an awards ceremony that will take place during Black History Month (October) 2007.
Click here to find out more about the 'Community Champions' living and working in the East of England Region.
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