The purpose of this contract is to support voluntary initiatives promoting diversity management at the workplace across the EU. The main focus shall be on voluntary diversity initiatives taken by businesses, and organisations working with businesses, aimed at promoting and valuing diversity at the workplace. The initiatives considered in the framework of this contract shall primarily cover the following diversity strands: race and ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, disability and sexual orientation, as well as initiatives covering multiple strands. Gender-related aspects shall be mainstreamed in all activities.

More specifically, the main objectives of the contract are:

— to maintain and revamp the existing EU platform of organisations and persons in charge of promoting and implementing national and regional diversity charters,

— to promote the business case of diversity and the work of diversity charters and the EU platform across Europe through the organisation of an annual event,

— to enlarge the number of diversity charters in the European Union by identifying and assisting potential candidates.

The contract will cover the EU Member States (28 at the time of the publication of the tender) and the EFTA–EEA countries participating in Progress.