EQUAL mirrors the four key elements of the European Employment Strategy:

• Employability
• Entrepreneurship
• Adaptability
• Equal Opportunities

Within each of these there are 2 thematic themes for EQUAL.

EQUAL Themes

EQUAL is part of the European Union's strategy for more and better jobs and for ensuring that no one is denied access to them. Funded by the Euopean Social Fund, EQUAL tests new ways of tackling discrimination and inequality experienced by those in work and those looking for a job. These new ideas could change future policy and practice in employment and training.

EQUAL operates by bringing together the key players in a geographical area or sector. The different worlds of public administration, non-governmental organisations, social partners and the business sector (in particular SMEs) will work in partnership, pooling their different types of expertise and experience. These Development Partnerships agree a strategy within which they will try out new ways of dealing with problems of discrimination and inequality which they have already pinpointed. Central to the work of each Development Partnership is its links with at least one partnership from another country and its involvement in a network of others dealing with the same theme across Europe. Ideas are being tested with a view to using these results to influence the design of future policy and practice.