Description
National Equality and Diversity Forum (NEDF) was established and is operating with the purpose of promoting human rights and equal opportunities in the Lithuanian society. Strengthening NEDF requires additional measures to be undertaken in order to ensure Forum‘s sustainable development and closer cooperation among members. Project is aimed at strengthening NEDF by fostering sustainable development, building capacities of the participating organizations and increased cooperation potential. Goals of the project include 1) increased effectiveness, skills and public visibility of the NEDF through the application of internal measures, and 2) improved skills of the participating organizations with the view of taking part in the policy and decision-making processes in order to represent the general priorities of NEDF efficiently. Project activities are directly linked with the goals: 1) trainings and workshops for the participating organizations, 2) national conference on promotion of equality and diversity in the Lithuania, 3) NEDF Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2017, 4) publicity of NEDF activities. Our key beneficiaries are members of NEDF and NGOs.
Summary of project results
Lithuanian society has comparatively limited knowledge and perception of diversity, equality as well as lacks respect of human rights of all members of the society. According to Eurobarometer (2012) more than 36% of population believe that efforts to tackle all forms of discrimination are ineffective. Moreover, 48% of respondents of the representative survey indicate that they lack information on human rights and the mechanisms to defend them. National Equality and Diversity Forum (NEDF) was established with the purpose of promoting human rights and equal opportunities in the Lithuanian society. During more than 6 years of activity it managed to gather resources, information and experience of NGOs representing vulnerable groups for effective implementation of anti-discriminatory activities, provided opportunity for other organizations to participate in setting and implementing anti-discriminatory policies, practices and development processes, as well as fostered tolerance and respect for every person. Nevertheless further strengthening of NEDF required additional measures to be undertaken in order to ensure its sustainable development and closer cooperation among members. This became the key purpose of the project implemented. Project promoter has achieved the following goals: a) increased the effectiveness, skills and public visibility of the NEDF through the application of internal measures; b) improved skills of the participating organizations with the view of taking part in the policy-making and decision-making processes in order to represent the general priorities of NEDF efficiently. The implemented project activities were directly linked with the goals of the project: team-building training for the participating organizations carried out; national conference on the promotion of equality and diversity within the society organized; NEDF Strategy and Action Plan for the period of 2014-2015 developed and published; NEDF activities made more visible to the public; workshops on the exchange of experience through sharing good practices and knowledge among the partners organized; advocacy training for the participating organizations conducted. The effect of this project will likely last beyond its completion date because the NEDF members has significantly increased their visibility and are seen as reliable source of ideas, information, expertise and initiatives on diversity, equality, non-discrimination, human rights and freedom of expression.
Summary of bilateral results