What is the Equality Pathfinders Award?
Equality Pathfinders are organisations (including teams within larger organisations) taking part in a free, voluntary and non-competitive recognition scheme leading the way in making Fife a fair, equal and inclusive place to live, work and study.
This recognition scheme reflects Fife Centre for Equalities’ approach to mainstreaming Equality in that it:
- Takes into account all protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010
- Provides a structured and adaptable workforce development programme
- Is non-competitive, inclusive and readily achievable by any size of organisation
There are three successive levels of the award:
- Bronze – demonstrating compliance with the Equality Act 2010
- Silver – demonstrating and evidencing positive action
- Gold – demonstrating, evidencing and sustaining good equality practice
Each award builds on the learning and skills gained at the previous level and requires participants to demonstrate more significant, tangible and lasting organisational commitment to Equality and Diversity.
- *We will also offer to work with organisations that go above and beyond expectations in inclusive practice to co-produce the Gold+ This involves designing and delivering tailored equality training for their specialist field or industry sector.
- We advise to aim, at the minimum, for an award level matching the size of the organisation (including staff and volunteers), e.g. Bronze for 1-5, Silver for 1-25 and for Gold 1-250.
Why become an Equality Pathfinder?
The Equality Pathfinder programme offers a foundation for organisations to develop fair and balanced inclusive practices which apply across protected characteristics and does not prioritise one equality group over another.
The programme is also adaptable and complements specialist modules or frameworks such as Disability Confident, Living Wage etc. As the Equality Pathfinders scheme is non-competitive, participants are not ranked on a scoring system. The ‘winners’ are the staff making equality a reality for their organisation and service users.
Above all, it is easy to take part. The Bronze award requires basic Equality and Diversity policies and if you have this in place already, you are likely to be eligible for the Bronze Award. Contact us if you need any help at stage.
How to start?
Start your pathfinder journey at the Bronze level. The Silver and Gold awards are more challenging. If you are starting from scratch and need help, Fife Centre for Equalities can assist with writing Equality and Diversity policies and train your staff. This is free of charge to organisations based or operating in Fife.
Timescales and Requirements
Get Involved!
Registrations for the BRONZE Award have started, you can complete your through the form below:
Or, to open this form in a new window:
This page is also available as a PDF here
Contact / Further information: