Platform of migration information and collaboration

The project aims to develop the information of migration and collaboration platform, which connects the competent authorities and other stakeholders. It should be the tool for cooperation, coordination and should be considered as communication system for people, who work in the field of third- country nationals integration. It should help to maintain close dialogue and cooperation of  the competent public authorities and research institutions , non-governmental organizations, other interested groups and individuals .

Migration information and collaboration platform , consists of two main elements  - workshops  and website. It is open to all competent authorities ( their representatives ) and other interested parties. The participants of workshops and visitors of the website can monitor and respond to political, social and scientific activities of various institutions, share best practices , find partners and funding for their projects , learn the national and local level news of third -country nationals integration and maintain the dialogue with the participants of  integration process . Finally, it creates space for further cooperation between non-governmental organizations and other organizations working in immigrant integration policy.

The project is implemented by Lithuanian Social Research Centre, Institute for Ethnic Studies in conjunction with the Centre of Equal Advancement. The project is funded by the European Fund for the Integration of Third -Country Nationals .

More Women in European Politics

Project aims to consolidate and support the efforts of the partners in the development and implementation of multiple strategies for achieving gender equality in political decision-making and leadership positions at all levels, particularly in the EU . Also to increase the number of women (under 35 years) participating in the European Parliament elections.

In the end of 2012, the Centre of Equal Advancement along with 14 other organizations from Belgium , Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece , Hungary, Italy, Romania , Slovakia, Slovenia , Sweden and the United Kingdom and their associated partners ( political parties ) has launched a project to encourage women participate in politics , with a special focus on European Parliament elections in 2014 . Project activities include an analysis of the current situation , a common strategy for the development of information and advocacy campaigns to encourage women’s participation in politics , training and giving advice to women who want to actively participate in politics, international meetings and conferences. It is expected that the project will raise the number of women involved in 2014 elections .

Project coordinator: Luden’s ( Belgium ) . The project is financed by the European Commission.

Promoting anti discrimination in Lithuania

The project aims to promote a comprehensive solution for anti discrimination in the labour market issues , enabling representatives of vulnerable groups and formatting values of the decision-making groups.

The project has been implemented in 2012-2014. The structure of the project is based on the integrated approach which means that activity is oriented to the general public as well as the target groups, who works in the prevention of discrimination area (employers, trade unions, NGOs) . Activities , their formats , methodologies, were evaluated considering the characteristics  of different groups (young people , older people , people with disabilities, the Roma community , and others ). Working with target groups it was applied innovative approaches that was based on opening the opportunities to acquire new knowledge , critical rethink the existing stereotypes and formatting positive moral values ​​relating the issue.

The main activities of the project :

• the cycle of shows based on topics such as human rights, discrimination prevention and respect for diversity;
• strengthening the competences of NGO on discrimination prevention;
• strengthening the competences of trade union representatives on prevention of discrimination ;
• promoting the awareness of employers’ ;
• educational events of equal opportunities and non-discrimination issues;
• quiz “Identify and Overcome Inequality” organization ;
• meetings with representatives of various community organizations .

Partners: NGO ” Global Initiative on Psychiatry” and the Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights . The project is funded by the European Social Fund .

Gender mainstreaming in governance

The aim of the project is to improve the inter-ministerial Equal Opportunities Commission members’ and civil servants’ involved in policy-making understanding of gender mainstreaming and their professional knowledge and competence in this area. Creators of the project proposed the package of measures aimed at promoting gender mainstreaming in national policies, based on deepening the knowledge , development of tools and awareness -raising .

The project has been designed and tested as  gender mainstreaming training module to civil servants . Comprehensive gender mainstreaming knowledge and expertise has been granted 40 civil servants . A measure of gender mainstreaming has been created, published and shared to all ministries and their information centers . In addition, at least 1,000 civil servants have received information about gender mainstreaming , became familiar with the issue through the round table discussions and Internet sites. Information about the systematic gender mainstreaming in government has been directed to the highest level of decision-makers .

The project was developed and implemented through training seminars , which were introduced to the essential concepts of gender mainstreaming , for the implementation of policy instruments and methods to assess and monitor the impact of understanding gender role. The training was called upon EU expert knowledge .

The main activities of the project :

• Critical frame analysis of gender equality based policy documents and programs. The aim was to increase the sensitivity of the civil servants of gender equality policy consistency ( or inconsistency ) and its impact on the quality of public administration . The analytical findings have been used for civil servants training.
• Training seminars cycle, which was organized as four training sessions (it took two days).  In addition, homework (small- scale study of their own work environment) was assigned, in order to consolidate the  practical gender mainstreaming competencies and knowledge.
• The tool for gender mainstreaming integration was developed and published. This tool contains information about essential gender mainstreaming concepts and methodology of monitoring the impact of policy documents based on gender equality.

The project is implemented by the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman , together with the Centre of Equal Advancement. The project is funded by the EU’s employment and social solidarity program PROGRESS ( 2007-2013) .