EC projects

EquiTech – Ensuring Fairness in Public Sector Algorithmic Decision-Making

Programme: European Commission – Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV-2023-EQUAL)
Duration: May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2026

Project Aim:
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithm-based automated decision-making (ADM) systems is rapidly expanding in the public sector. These systems often shape individuals’ rights and obligations. While ADM solutions can make services more efficient, they also carry significant risks of hidden bias and discrimination—particularly based on gender, ethnicity, age, or other protected characteristics.

The goal of the EquiTech project is to strengthen the capacity of public authorities and their partners in Estonia and Lithuania to identify, prevent, and mitigate such risks, thereby contributing to fairer and more inclusive digital governance.

Main Activities and Outputs:
1. Research and risk mapping:
– Mapping ADM systems currently used in Estonia’s public sector and identifying potential risks of discrimination.
– Analysing existing legal and policy frameworks in Estonia and Lithuania.
– Collecting input from public sector officials as well as affected and vulnerable communities.

2. Development of practical tools:
– Creating a checklist for fairness and impact assessment of ADM systems.
– Producing guidelines for the use of AI and ADM systems in the public sector.
– Developing an interactive online training course for public sector employees and developers.

3. Capacity building and networking:
– Organising training days and study visits for relevant stakeholders.
– Hosting an international conference in Tallinn and an academic workshop for researchers in the field.

4. Public communication and engagement:
– Running a communication campaign to raise awareness about risks related to AI- and ADM-based public services.
– Publishing articles, visual materials, and explanatory content based on project activities and findings.

Consortium Partners:
– Office of the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner (Estonia)
– Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia)
– Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs (Estonia)
– Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson (Lithuania) / Lygių galimybių kontrolieriaus tarnyba

Impact:
EquiTech contributes to the prevention of discrimination in automated systems, reinforces public trust in digital public services, and supports the implementation of the EU’s equality strategy in an evolving technological environment.

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The project "Towards gender equality through increased capabilities for work-life balance, WoBaCa" is coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner for Gender Equality and Equal Treatment in Estonia. The project is co-financed by the European Commission.

You can find the project website here.

The project aims to promote gender equality and increase the capacity of women and men to increase work-life balance by developing a number of innovative and interactive tools. These tools help increase equality by improving everyday practical skills, changing attitudes and reducing gender stereotypes.

One of these innovative tools is a strategic learning game, which has been developed into both a physical board game and a digital game. The game is based on the Commissioner's analysis of aspects that hinder the achievement of work-life balance or encourage discriminatory practices that negatively affect this balance.

The learning game is designed for use in schools, companies and the general public. As part of a larger project, the learning game is used in parallel with a series of short films. The educational series was produced by Kuukulgur Film.
The output of the project is also guidelines supporting the balance of work and family life: for people with family responsibilities, their co-workers, management of an organization or company, local government, educational institutions or training institutions, policy makers, contractors and employees, and a guide in plain language.

The project is implemented in cooperation with the city of Heidelberg in Germany and the Equality Commissioner of Serbia, from whom we receive valuable feedback on the use of the tools created within the framework of the project, both at the national and municipal levels. The third partner of the project is the Estonian Business School, whose role is to conduct research and methodology based on behavioral sciences.

The Republic of Serbia took part in the "Third Quality of Life Survey in Europe" study, which compared work-life balance in the Western Balkan countries, and the study found that Serbia has the highest percentage of workers who lack work-life balance. This is explained by work organization and inflexible working hours. Women do unpaid work to a greater extent than men, and this is also reflected in the work-life balance.

The city of Heidelberg has exemplary practices that ensure gender equality at the local level. On March 29, 2007, the Heidelberg City Council signed the European Union Equality Charter: "The European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life". Heidelberg became the first city in Baden-Wuerttemberg and the second city in Germany with more than 100,000 inhabitants to officially approve and implement the charter. Heidelberg was also the first city in Germany to submit a second Equality Action Plan. The plan is based on a clearly structured framework, the goal of which is the ability to assess the development process of an attractive and gender-sensitive municipality. The city of Heidelberg has experience working with students on issues related to work-life balance, so their experience will be invaluable in the implementation of the project.

The project will last for two years: February 17, 2020 to February 16, 2022.

Read more WoBaCa webpage

Parents@Work

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