Summary of Curiad Calon Cymru

Summary of Curiad Calon Cymru
(Theme B: Combating Racism and Xenophobia in the Labour Market)

Overview

Curiad Calon Cymru Development Partnership is part funded by the European Social Fund’s (ESF) Community Initiative EQUAL Programme, which is administered by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO). Action 2 is for a period of 2 years, from July 2005 - October 2007.

AWEMA is the lead partner, and will work in collaboration with 15 other core partners and 5 wider partners to deliver the work.
This page outlines the context, the Development Partnership composition, strategic objectives, activities (DP & transnational), outcomes, and mainstreaming.

Context

Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) people represent 2.1% of the Welsh population, but only 1.7% of the workforce. 56.3% of those of working age are in employment compared to 69.6% of white people (NC-ELWA Baseline Data and Intelligence 2003 Refresh, April 2004)

Disadvantages experienced by BME people include:

• employment/unemployment rates

• earning levels

• progression/occupational attainment in the workplace

• levels of self-employment

The most important factors are “education and skills, the ability to access employment opportunities and discrimination in the workplace" (Ethnic Minorities and the Labour Market, March 2003, p13)

Development Partnership (DP)

• All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (AWEMA) - Lead Partner

• Black Association of Women Step Out (BAWSO)

• Black Environment Network (BEN)

• Cardiff & the Vale Coalition of Disabled People

• Iago European Consultants Ltd

• Minority Ethnic Womens Network (MEWN) Swansea

• North Wales Race Equality Network (NWREN)

• Race Equality First

• Scarman Trust

• South East Wales Racial Equality Council (SEWREC)

• Supporting Others through Volunteer Action (SOVA)

• Swansea College

• Swansea Institute

• Swansea Print Workshop

• University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC)

• Valleys Race Equality Council (VALREC)

• Welsh Refugee Council

• Swansea African Caribbean Society

• Bangladeshi Welfare Association, Cardiff

• Black Heritage Association Cymru, Newport

• Swansea Filipino Society

• Swansea Chinese Community

Strategic Objectives

• Improve the situation of BME women in the labour market

• Support the inclusion of European economic migrants contract workers and refugees

• Combat the isolation of isolated households and individuals

• Enable BME individuals to gain and progress in employment

• Empower BME communities

Target Groups

The project has an all-Wales focus and targets groups from BME individuals and communities, including women, people with disabilities, young and older workers, economic migrants, refugees, and those facing social exclusion, e.g. through isolation.

DP Activities

• Carrying out new research

• Developing innovative training

• Work experience

• Mentoring and support provision

• Awareness raising

• Networking

• Encouraging new working arrangements

Transnational Activities

• Exchange of information

• Import/export/adoption of new approaches through thematic workshops

• Working groups

• Study visits and case studies

• Exchange of beneficiaries

• Trainers and staff (study visits and training the trainers)

Outcomes

• A BME childcare social enterprise

• New ESOL provision for orientation and employment

• Incubation and drop-in centre

• New working arrangements between BME community groups and voluntary/statutory/employer organisations
  

• Physical and virtual networks

• A database of skills

• Training and employer information

• An anti-discrimination package and good practice guides on combatting discrimination

Mainstreaming

Mainstreaming opportunities will occur horizontally and vertically through the partners, their extended networks (which include the Welsh Assembly Government, Jobcentre Plus), the TNG and ETNG to influence policy and strategy development.

Main Sponsors