Equality Impact Assessment - CEMAS Business Support Programme - May 2013

8/13/2019 Equality Impact Assessment - CEMAS Business Support Programme - May 2013

1/5

1

Equality Impact Assessment form (updated May 2013)

This is where you evidence how a policy or practice, or a decision relating to a policy or practice, complies with the general equality duty to:

Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation Advance equality of opportunity Foster good relations

This form is intended to guide and prompt you about the questions and evidence that you need to think about. As indicated in the guidance, this assessment takes into consideration each of the protectedcharacteristicslisted in the Equality Act 2010 race, age, gender etc. Thisassessment should be used to inform any relevant decision about the policy or practice. Please state policy options in the assessment.

Service Area : CEMAS CEMAS Director:

Professor Khalid Al-Begain

Person responsible for theassessment: Martin Spicer Date of Assessment : May 2013

Name of the policy / practice to be assessed: CEMAS Business SupportProgramme

Is this a new,existing or policy/ practice underreview?

Existing Policy

1. Briefly describe the purpose of thepolicy / practice

If the policy / process is under review, pleaselist any options under consideration

The CEMAS Business Support programme has been established as part of the University of

South Wales's part ERDF funded Centre of Excellence in Mobile Applications and Services.

The programme works with eligible Welsh SMEs in order to help support the business case(Stage 1) and develop new mobile applications (Stage 2) and new mobile related IP (stage 3)


2/5

2

2. Name any associated policy,legislation, corporate objective etc.

The Business Support Programme is the only Business Support programme managed by

CEMAS.

The Business Support Programme has been in operation for approximately 2 1 /2 years and is a

key part of the delivery of the ojectives of the CEMAS project.

3. Who are the main stakeholders inrelation to the policy / practice?

The University of South Wales

CEMAS Staff

WEFO (as funders)

Welsh SMEs (as prospective clients and beneficiaries of the programme)

4. Who performs the service?CEMAS performs this service as part of the Centre of Excellence in Mobile Applications and

Services at the University of South Wales

5. What outcomes are wanted from thispolicy / practice?

To create new mobile applications and new IP (trademarks, patents, assignments) in relation to

mobile ICT.

Through events across Wales, raise the knowledge of when an app can be a good (or a bad)

investment for a business


3/5

3

6. What factors could contribute / detractfrom the outcomes (risks /opportunities)?

Awareness of the programmes (in that SMEs do not know the programme exists)

Eligibility of the programme (this is governed by the European definition of an SME and the

location in Wales - Convergence Zone).

The Convergence zone is governed geographically by local authority area.

For eventslocation of events, suitability of event locations (e.g. are they accessible /

wheelchair access)

7. Describe the steps CEMAS have takento carry out this assessment e.g.consultation and involvement

Benchmarking with other business support programmes in existence

Looking at existing documents / collaborations with Welsh SMEs

Experience of Commercial Manager in creating EqIAs in the public sector

Historical look at events completed

Historical look at SMEs supported at Stage 1 and Stage 2 (No Stage 3 SMEs as of the date of

this document)

8. Give a summary of the informationthat CEMAS has taken into account forthis assessment

Eligibility criteria for SMEs receiving funding through ERDF programmes

Collaboration Agreements between CEMAS and SMEs (in existence before May 2013)

Completed enterprise application forms from SMEs (typically Stage 1)Location and venue information about events (that CEMAS have held)


4/5

4

9. Does the policy / practice eliminatediscrimination and promote equality andgood community relations due to:

Age Gender Disability Race Religion / belief Welsh Language Gender reassignment Marriage / civil partnership Sexual orientation

After reviewing the Business Support Programme, we are still confident that the policy does

not discriminate against any of the protected characteristics identified

The CEMAS Business Support Programme is open to all Welsh SMEs located in the

Convergence Zone of Wales with a suitable product idea

Time is taken in Stage 1 of the Business Support Programme to ensure opportunities to access

the programme is as open as possible e.g. through marketing / events

CEMAS continue to advertise through the medium of Welsh. CEMAS use external translators

to ensure marketing messages are available (where possible) in both English and Welsh

When considering event locations, CEMAS take into consideration the physical and geographic

location of event venues. All event venues have disabled parking, good public transport

accessibility, lifts to upper floors, ramps or flat entrances and where possible and practical all

of the protected characteristics are taken into account in the venue decision for an event.


5/5

5

10. Summary of the impact of the policy /practice on the general equality duty

The CEMS Business Support Programme continues to have a good impact with SMEs who

receive the assistance within it.

CEMAS staff are currently from a number of different ethnicities and backgrounds and will

Endeavour to work with SMEs to ensure that no discrimination occurs within the protectedcharacteristics identified in section 9.

All events are catered where possible to be as inclusive to the protected characteristics as

possible.

CEMAS have worked with SMEs at both Stage 1 and Stage 2 who represent different

protected characteristic groups

Documents

Equality Impact Assessment - CEMAS Business Support Programme - May 2013