Towards Complex Integration Policy: development of inter-cultural competences and institutional cooperation

Project goal is to increase the knowledge of third -country nationals integration policy makers about diversity management, also inter-cultural competence and strengthen the various stakeholder cooperation, coordination and communication system to promote effective integration of third -country nationals .

The project conducted training of policy makers , professionals and staff working with the integration of TCNs in related areas of inter-cultural competence development , capacity-building and diversity management. It also organized sectoral meetings and consultations with the authorities who work facing migration policy issues. The purpose of the consultation is to identify the challenges which arises in  TCNs integration policy coordination and to understand necessary competences working in this area.

It is the third year of successful running of the website www.mipas.lt , which is constantly updated with the information of migration and integration of TCNs. There is also a virtual consulting forum for professionals where related issues are discussed, problems related with TCNs implementation are dealt.

The project is implemented in conjunction with the Social Partnership Fund ” Magnum Bonum ” by the European Fund.

Project Number : EIF/2012/6/09/PG/1 .

Empowering Women – Strengthening Democracies

The project “Empowering Women – Strengthening Democracies” is devoted to develop young women’s leadership skills with the aim to support democratic movements. Women from Belarus, Ukraine and Lithuania met and enhanced their competences, skills and motivation to participate in social and political movements in their own societies.

The project combine: Benchmark reports on the factors preventing young women from their active participation in social and political movements, on the one hand, and motivating them to participate in these movements;  forum “Tools and Tactics for Communicating Your Cause” which aimed to develop young women’s leadership and advocacy skills based on democratic values and the use of new communication technologies;  short video film encouraging civic consciousness.

The video film was presented at events in Belarus and Ukraine and disseminated online.

Project partners: Centre for East European Studies, the IRI (International Republican Institute), Western Ukrainian Center “Women’s Perspectives” (UA), the Association “Women’s Independent Democratic Movement (BY).

Supporters: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme, the Irish Embassy in Vilnius, the European Union, the IRI (International Republican Institute).

Global rights, local actions: women voice for progress

In 2013 the project “Global rights, local actions: women voice for progress” was initiated in order to strengthen the gender-based discourse and advocacy competencies of women’s human rights issues.

Through the project the NGOs knowledge about non-discrimination, human rights, including the various aspects of interactions of identity, the capacity of NGOs practical advocacy of women’s rights and issues is deepened. In addition, measures for  women empowerment and respect for diversity based on public discourse formation were adopted , strengthening the civil society influence in the legislative policy initiatives and the development of bilateral partnership .

In order to implement the objectives, the following activities were set :

• Focus groups of NGOs, who work in women and other human rights areas was formed. The main goal is to hear the voices of regional NGOs in the clarifying the problems faced by women and support the alternative report CEDAW by their experiences.
• Preparation of alternative CEDAW report and presentation to the Committee in Geneva. During the drafting of the report the other aspects of identity were taken into account ( like age , sexual orientation , health , ethnicity , etc.) .
• According to the CEDAW Committee’s findings new advocacy tools were presented to the regional women’s NGOs. The Committee’s recommendations were translated into Lithuanian, and adapted for advocacy purposes, approaching the municipal elections. In order to strengthen the power of this tool, the CEDAW Committee’s insights were supplemented by the EU’s gender equality index.
• Awareness-raising campaign, which aims to draw attention to women’s rights and discrimination were organised. Arranging them, the idea that women are not a homogeneous group but differ by additional aspects of identity like sexual orientation , immigrant or ethnic minority experience , age, family status , and ect. deepens social exclusion was raised. In order to achieve the greater visibility of the situation in different regions , it was collaborated with regional media .
• Round table discussions and events based on advocacy activities were organised in different regions. During the events the CEDAW Committee’s recommendations to Lithuania and gender equality index data was widely used.
• In order to develop the bilateral partnership NGO Forum was organised, which aims to make vocational contacts  and exchange experiences , through discussion about challenges of gender equality policy implementation, opportunities and barriers of  interactive approach integration in work related to gender equality, also discussing about advocacy policies, strategies and tools , getting  acquainted with good practices .

Project partner: KUN Center for Gender Equality .

The project is financed by: the EEA Grants, NGO program in Lithuania .

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.