Equality planning

An equality action plan is a key tool that the municipality uses to promote equality in its activities and services.

The equality plan describes how the municipality promotes equality and prevents discrimination in its own activities. The municipality must draw up an equality plan as an authority, employer and education provider.

Phases of equality planning

  1. Appoint a working group to draw up an equality plan. Members should represent different personnel groups, age groups and genders.
  2. Inform the staff, municipal residents and stakeholders about the plan, the opportunities for participation and the progress of the process at an early stage. Provision of information and participation support data collection and engages both staff and municipal residents in the process.
  3. Launch an assessment on the current state of equality, in which the equality of municipal functions and services is examined. A key aspect of the assessment is how equal services and activities are from the perspective of different groups. Particular attention should be given to the situation of vulnerable municipal residents. 
  4. Based on the results of the current state assessment, prepare concrete measures to promote equality. At the same time, define the objectives, responsibilities, funding, timetable and monitoring of the measures.
  5. Compile and record a description of the preparation, assessment and results of the plan and the development measures prepared. The description creates a completed equality plan.
  6. Start the implementation of the measures in the equality plan and communicating about the plan. 
  7. Monitor the implementation of the measures at regular intervals. 
  8. The intention is for the equality plan to be valid for a fixed period. Update the plan at least once each council term.

Planning must prevent multiple discrimination

It is important during non-discrimination and  equality planning to take into account different grounds for discrimination and how they intersect, thus preventing multiple discrimination. This refers to discrimination in which many factors, such as family background, gender, place of residence or origin, are considered to simultaneously affect the individual's identity, experiences and positioning in society. Assessment and planning often focus on only one ground for discrimination at a time, even though people have many characteristics at the same time. 

When planning, it must be ensured that all persons at risk of discrimination are consulted, for example through organisations representing them and other stakeholders. The preparation of a plan will require competence in equality and non-discrimination. If necessary, competence can be strengthened with external expertise and training.

Actual equality  

In equality planning, it is important to remember that the same treatment of all people is not always sufficient to achieve effective equality. The realisation of actual equality may require taking into account the special needs of a group that is particularly vulnerable to discrimination. The end result may be positive discrimination.

Positive discrimination means specific measures to improve the status and circumstances of persons belonging to a particular group.

Examples of positive action:

  • Language training organised for immigrants to facilitate integration to Finnish society
  • Admission quotas at education institutions for certain socially disadvantaged groups, groups at risk of discrimination, or certain minority groups
  • Aids provided to persons with disabilities
  • Interpretation of the services for sign language users
  • Provision of targeted services, such as additional maternity and child health clinic visits for families in need of special support

From the perspective of actual equality, the following should always be considered when preparing the equality plan:

  • How accessible are the municipality’s services? 
  • Do municipal residents need to know how to do something or know something special in order to become service users?
  • What can be done to remove barriers? 

Municipal work involves the implementation of a large number of actual equality measures, including special services, pricing and support measures.

Examples of municipal operational equality plans

Would you want your city’s or municipality’s operational equality plan to be added to the list of examples? Send e-mail to tasa-arvotieto(at)thl.fi

More information and tools for equality planning

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