Equality bodies from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions met to discuss practical approaches to improving support to victims of discrimination and strengthening access to justice. The regional seminar served as a platform for peer learning, co-operation and planning of future support for the European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet).

During the event, the importance of solid data collection and use for monitoring discrimination and shaping effective evidence-based policies was highlighted during the presentation of the European Handbook on Equality Data by the  EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Participants so shared models for victim assistance, discussed co-operation with civil society, and explored ways to strengthen access to justice in discrimination cases, including through collaboration with law enforcement and the judiciary.

Looking ahead, equality bodies identified priority areas for capacity building: addressing hate speech and racial discrimination, responding to intersectional and systemic discrimination including algorithmic bias,  and strengthening partnerships to improve understanding about these issues that can result to tangible improvements.

This activity is organised within the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies” and the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans”, which are part the joint European Union and Council of Europe programmes “Partnership for Good Governance” and “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.