Improving equality data collection in Belgium

Programme(s): Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme-REC Programme 2014-2020

Topic(s): REC-RDIS-DISC-AG-2019

Type of action: REC Action Grant

Funded under: Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme

Project ID: 881908

Objective: The topic of equality data is very present at the international level, with frequent requests to Belgium for specific data concerning equality or non-discrimination or recommendations to improve our data collection on various topics. Belgium is not always able to answer these requests due to lack of data and policymakers do not always dispose of the data they need to develop evidence-based policies. The purpose of this project is precisely to implement “new tools to foster the collection and use of equality data, by mapping existing data in Member States and improving interactions with other types of available data and research”, which is one of the topics of the call. This project follows in the footsteps of the subgroup on Equality data created at the end of 2017 by the High-level group on Non-discrimination, Equality and Diversity of the European Commission. This proposal is a direct consequence of the work of the subgroup and the exchanges of good practices that have been taking place there. A substantial part of the work of the subgroup will be used as a basis for our methodology. The general objective of the project is to strengthen the collection and use of equality data in Belgium and to provide a centralized platform to improve accessibility and transparency. This can be divided in three specific objectives. The first objective is to map sources of equality data in Belgium. Indeed, we know that the situation of equality data in Belgium is imperfect but we lack a clear and comprehensive overview. This is an essential prerequisite to improve our data collection. The second objective is to analyse the results of the mapping, identify the gaps and develop recommendations on improving the use and collection of equality data in Belgium. The third objective is to centralize the sources of equality data from the mapping in a data hub and to make them transparent and accessible. There are two main target groups for this project: The first one is the Belgian federal and state-level public institutions. As the producer of most of the equality data, Belgian federal and state-level public institutions are also the ones that would benefit the most from an improved coordination and awareness concerning its collection and use. The second one is Belgian civil society, considering they represent the target groups, are themselves users of the data and sometimes even collectors. The project will be implemented following three main directions, which correspond to the three specific objectives. They will provide us with a mapping of equality data sources in Belgium for the three discrimination grounds withheld for this project, with a study on the gaps in collection and use, followed by recommendations and finally with a functioning data hub, centralizing the information on sources of equality data and making it publicly accessible. This will be achieved amongst others by consulting regularly with the stakeholders (institutional and civil society) working on this topic. An end of project conference will be set up in order to present the results to all stakeholders and the broader public. The first result, which will be achieved in the short-term is that the project will provide public institutions and civil society a clear and complete overview of the sources of equality data in Belgium on 1) racial and ethnic origin, 2) religion and belief, and 3) sexual orientation and trans, with disaggregation by sex where possible. These sources will be displayed in a clear and accessible manner. A second long-term result that the project will achieve, is an increased capacity to use equality data as the basis for policymaking through the data hub. This applies to policymakers as well as to civil society in its role of advocacy and participation in the public debate. Another result is the development of a human rights-based approach in the field of equality data, by consulting and engaging with civil society. This will be done through a Support Committee, as explained below in the methodology section. A fourth result will be an increased awareness on the collection and use of equality data by public institutions and civil society, through the creation of the Institutional Committee and the Support committee. Indeed, the implication of public institutions and civil society throughout the entire project will allow us to explain the need to improve equality data and to discuss ways to improve it in Belgium. The recommendations that we will develop will also contribute to the awareness raising and the Institutional Committee will provide us with a valuable network of engaged partners to follow through on the recommendations. The last result is that this project will allow Belgium to reply more effectively to international recommendations on the need to collect equality data, hence allowing us to adopt international standards. As detailed above, Belgium is on many occasions unable to provide the required data. This project will allow us to map all the sources of equality data, giving us a better view of what exists and what is lacking.