2. About equality impact assessments
An EQIA is an analysis of a policy or project to determine the extent to which it could impact differently on the groups within the nine equality categoriesFootnote Two and the nature of that impact – whether it is positive or negative.
If it is decided that the policy or project has a negative impact on one or more of the nine equality categories, the council must consider how it could address the negative impact, including different ways to deliver the aims of the project so as to have less of a negative impact.
How to carry out an EQIA
According to the Equality Commission NI’s Practical Guidance on Equality Impact Assessment (2004), an EQIA should take seven steps.
- Step 1: Defining the aims of the policy.
- Step 2: Consideration of available data and research.
- Step 3: Assessment of impacts.
- Step 4: Consideration of:
- measures which might mitigate any negative impact and
- alternative policies which might better achieve the promotion of equality of opportunity
- Step 5: Consultation.
- Step 6: Decision by the council and publication of results of the EQIA.
- Step 7: Monitoring for adverse impact in the future and publication of the results of the monitoring.
This EQIA has closely followed the Equality Commission’s Practical Guidance. Steps 1 to 4 have been completed and are detailed in this report.
The report is now open for public consultation over a 13-week period between 19 November 2024 to 23 February 2025. It accompanies the public consultation on initial architectural and curatorial concepts.
Next steps
At the end of the consultation period, the draft EQIA report will be revised, taking into account comments received during the consultation, and a final EQIA report will be prepared for Belfast City Council. This will help Belfast City Council make decisions about the Belfast Stories initiative.
The results of the EQIA will be published on the council’s website and intranet and in its annual report to the Equality Commission.
Monitoring for future adverse impacts
A system will be established to monitor the impact of Belfast Stories on relevant groups within the equality categories.
The results of such monitoring will be published in keeping with the council’s Equality Scheme, and action will be taken if the results demonstrate that the project is having a greater negative impact than anticipated.
Footnotes
Footnote Two: That is between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation; between men and women generally; between persons with a disability and persons without; and between persons with dependants and persons without.
