- go to current EQUAL ROUND II

EU Policy Context

The policy context for EQUAL is formed primarily by the Amsterdam Treaty. That Treaty provided for a co-ordinated strategy for employment in the EU and the adoption of Employment Guidelines. The Guidelines are based on four pillars: Employability, Entrepreneurship, Adaptability and Equal Opportunities. These are transformed by the Member States into National Employment Action Plans that provide the framework for financial support from the Structural Funds.

The Amsterdam Treaty also extended the competence of the European Union in the area of combating discrimination. Article 13 provides a legal basis for combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.

EQUAL complements other policies, instruments and actions in pursuing objectives in relation to the labour market and those which go beyond the labour market. EQUAL will play a key role linking together the EU supported actions under Articles 13 and 137 of the Amsterdam Treaty, ESF supported programmes and the political objectives pursued in the framework of the European Employment Strategy.