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Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs)

Sweco Equality Impact Assessments provide comprehensive, data-based insights on policies, plans and projects –  promoting fairness and diversity and using our expertise across environment, buildings, transportation and urbanisation planning to ensure the needs and wants of all groups stay at the heart of every decision.

What is an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA)?

An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) is a tool used to evaluate the potential effects of your policies, projects or plans on different groups of people, particularly those protected under equality legislation.

An EqIA involves evaluating how your activities may affect individuals and communities based on their characteristics – such as age, gender, race, disability, or socioeconomic status. The purpose of an EqIA is to promote fairness and equality by identifying any potential discrimination, inequality, or disadvantage that may result from these initiatives. By conducting an EqIA, you can ensure that your projects are inclusive and do not create or perpetuate inequalities. It is an important step towards creating a more equitable society for all individuals, as part of a just transition.

The ultimate goal of an EqIA is to promote fairness and equality, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to benefit from proposals.

Equality impact assessments (EqIAs) can identify potential disparities and ensure that projects consider the needs of all stakeholders, promoting inclusivity. By addressing these issues early in the planning process, they can enhance community engagement and lead to better outcomes for diverse groups.

 Rebecca McClenaghan Technical Manager

What do Equality Impact Assessments involve?

  • Identifying the policy, project or plan: Understanding what is being proposed.
  • Gathering data: Collecting information about the ‘existing situation (local community/likely user groups)’.
  • Assessing impact: Evaluating whether the proposal could have negative effects on any specific group.
  • Consulting stakeholders: Engaging with affected communities or groups to gain insights and feedback.
  • Making recommendations: Suggesting changes to mitigate any negative impacts identified and identifying opportunities to maximise positive impacts.
  • Monitoring: Plans for ongoing monitoring to ensure that any impacts are addressed and to adapt the policy/project/plan as necessary.
  • Compliance with legislation: Ensuring compliance with relevant equality legislation and guidelines.

When is an Equality Impact Assessment required?

Equality should be formally and robustly assessed when any proposed policy, decision, or action has the potential to impact different groups of people (with ‘Protected Characteristics’) in different ways. This assessment is a crucial step in promoting equality and eliminating discrimination, helping to identify any potential barriers or inequalities that may arise from the proposed course of action.

It is important to note that an EqIA should be carried out at the early stages of policy development to ensure that any potential issues are addressed before they become embedded. In some cases, an EqIA may not be required if it can be demonstrated that the proposed course of action will have no significant impact on any particular group. However, in some cases it may be appropriate to err on the side of caution and conduct an impact assessment to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect.

The legislative requirements for an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) can vary depending on the country and specific legislation, but generally include the following:

Public Sector Equality Duty: In the UK, public authorities are required to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different groups. This is part of the Equality Act 2010.

In addition, we recommend that you refer to the relevant legislation or guidelines set by your local authority or governing body.

How to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment

  1. First, gather data and information to understand the current situation and any potential inequalities.
  2. Secondly, involve diverse stakeholders in the process to gather different perspectives and insights.
  3. Next, analyse the data to identify any potential impacts and develop strategies to mitigate them.
  4. Finally, implement and monitor the outcomes of the assessment to ensure continued equality and fairness. By following these steps, organisations can promote inclusivity and diversity, leading to a more equitable society.

Equality Impact Assessment reporting

At the end of an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA), you typically receive a report that includes:

  • Summary of Findings: Key outcomes of the assessment regarding potential impacts on different equality groups.
  • Recommendations: Suggested actions to mitigate any negative impacts identified.
  • Action Plan: A detailed plan outlining how to implement the recommendations and monitor progress.
  • Engagement Evidence: Documentation of any consultation or engagement with stakeholders and affected groups.
  • Conclusion: Overall assessment of the potential impacts and the rationale for decisions made.

These components help ensure accountability and guide future decision-making to promote equality.

At Sweco we have our own EqIA report templates, or alternatively we can work with yours.

The importance of expert equality support

To effectively carry out an EqIA, it is important to follow best practices, which involve a thorough and systematic process of identifying potential impacts on equality and diversity. This includes gathering relevant data, consulting with diverse groups, and considering alternative approaches to minimise any negative impacts.

By enlisting expert support to ensure best practice guidelines are adhered to, you can not only ensure compliance with equality laws, but also promote fairness and inclusivity for all individuals throughout your activities to demonstrate – and report on – social value and ESG leadership.

Case Study 1: Kilmarnock Infinity Loop, East Ayrshire, Scotland

The project is a proposed new active travel corridor which will improve existing paths and introduce new segregated and unsegregated paths to enhance connectivity. The main goal is to promote walking and cycling in the area, especially to and from key attractions and local schools.

The EqIA revealed that in Scotland, men are twice as likely as women to cycle for leisure or transportation purposes. Women tend to take extra precautions or avoid certain public areas, particularly when walking, exercising, or using public transport. Therefore, it is crucial for the EqIA to prioritise making the active travel route safe and appealing to women, in order to address any potential unintended negative impacts.

To ensure clear and accessible communication, a StoryMap website for public engagement was developed. The website allowed members of the public to easily understand and provide feedback on the proposals. The feedback received emphasised the importance of safety, particularly regarding cycling through parks. Concerns were raised regarding lighting in these areas, and the need for clear signage was also highlighted.

Based on the findings from the EqIA and public engagement, the design has been modified to include the following elements:

• Lighting will be provided in the sections going through country and city parks and rural areas;
• Water fountains will be installed at key locations along the routes with signage pointing out their locations;
• Appropriate signage will be provided, including where the nearest public toilets are located;
• Planting along the routes which will both increase climate resilience and adaptation as well as improve safety as street greenery has been shown to reduce levels and perception of crime in urban environments;
• In order to enhance the project and create a sense of ownership within the local community, artwork will be incorporated at key locations, with contributions from artists. By involving the community, it is anticipated that perceptions of safety will improve and a greater sense of ownership of the area will be fostered.

Case Study 2: Kilmarnock Foregate Civic Space, East Ayrshire, Scotland

A new civic space that will transform the former Foregate multi-storey car park into an aesthetic and functional space, which can host events and markets, and provide the community with an accessible and green space in the centre of Kilmarnock in which to sit, play and walk. It is envisioned that the civic space will be set out as a formal plaza, with green terraces of outdoor seating, a large flexible space and a water feature which can be used as a play feature for children.

Public engagement played a crucial role in shaping the vision for this new civic space. We spoke with East Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership who provided the results of a survey seeking local opinion on how community safety could be improved. Issues highlighted the need for increased lighting, CCT and more ‘open’ routes/areas. We also discussed the provision of toilets as women, particularly those who are pregnant, are more affected by the decline in public toilets over the last few years.18

We also spoke with a group representing local disabled people (Wheels for Wellbeing). Issues highlighted were, the need for EV charging in disabled bays, smooth surfaces with good grips and not slabs, reduce steep slopes where possible, and the need for accessible toilets and the design of benches to provide sufficient room for assistance dogs, wheelchairs and canes.

We are currently engaged in an ongoing consultation process and part of our effort includes reaching out to a local school teacher to gather valuable insights into the needs of the younger community. It is important to highlight that consultations often tend to overlook this specific demographic, and we are committed
to addressing this oversight by actively involving and considering the perspectives of the younger generation.

As a direct outcome of the public engagement so far, at the next stage of the project it is intended the following will be incorporated:

• CCTV at key locations;
• Careful consideration on lighting;
• Disabled parking bays with EV charging;
• Carefully designed benches, some with arm rest, some without, some with back rest, some without;
• Potential for new, accessible toilets and adult changing facilities.

These case studies demonstrate that the advantages of EqIAs, combined with public feedback, can go beyond safeguarding protected characteristics from unintended consequences. They can enhance projects by incorporating even small details that contribute to making spaces safer, more beautiful, more accessible, and enjoyable for all of the local community.

Why community-focused assessments are so vital

Carrying out an human-first, socially-driven impact assessment is a systematic process that evaluates the potential health, cultural, and socio-economic effects of a project or development on the surrounding community and stakeholders. It helps identify potential positive and negative impacts and provides recommendations for mitigating any adverse effects. Here are just some of the reasons you might need expert support from our impact assessment consultancy team:

Compliance with regulations

Many governments and regulatory bodies require businesses to conduct assessments as part of their approval processes. Our consultancy will help you identify and meet all necessary legal and regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder engagement

An impact assessment helps identify and engage with all relevant stakeholders. By involving these stakeholders from the early stages of a project, you can build positive relationships and address any concerns or grievances through collaborative, data-driven community engagement. At Sweco, we can support undertaking public consultations which are key to successful HIAs – we also work with the local environmental health officer (EHO) to guide and inform the HIA.

Risk management

Understanding the social impacts of a project is crucial for effective risk management. Our experts help clients identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, minimising the likelihood of negative consequences and project delays.

Reputation and branding

In today’s socially conscious world, businesses that prioritise social impact and sustainability enjoy enhanced reputation and brand loyalty. Our consultancy helps clients align their projects with social values, enabling them to build a positive brand image and differentiate themselves from competitors.

Long-term sustainability

Impact assessments provide insights into the long-term sustainability of a project. By considering social factors, businesses can ensure that their initiatives contribute to the well-being of communities, fostering positive social change and leaving a lasting legacy.

Technical accuracy

Having technical experts involved in the assessment process helps to ensure that the assessment is conducted using the appropriate methodologies, data sources, and analytical techniques which helps to generate robust and evidence-based findings. Once complete, a standalone report HIA Report (with the option of GIS based graphics/interactive map) will be produced to support a proposal such as a project planning application.

Health Impact Assessments

A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a crucial tool used to evaluate the potential health effects of policies, plans, and projects. Sweco Health Impact Assessments provide comprehensive, evidence-based audits to inform decision-making processes which ultimately promote and protect public health – combining our in-house expertise across air quality, acoustics, landscape architecture, environmental planning, water networks, transport infrastructure and buildings performance.

If you’re looking to make a meaningful difference and ensure your project has a positive social impact, our equality assessment experts are here to assist you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your business goals while creating a better future for all.