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 protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010 race, age, gender etc. This assessment 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 AlBegain

Person responsible for the assessment: Martin Spicer

Date of Assessment : May 2013

Name of the policy / practice to be assessed: CEMAS Business Support Programme 1. Briefly describe the purpose of the policy / practice
If the policy / process is under review, please list any options under consideration

Existing Policy Is this a new, existing or policy / practice under review? 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. 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 in relation 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 this policy / 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

6. What factors could contribute / detract 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 from the outcomes (risks / location in Wales - Convergence Zone). opportunities)?
The Convergence zone is governed geographically by local authority area. For events location of events, suitability of event locations (e.g. are they accessible / wheelchair access)

7. Describe the steps CEMAS have taken to 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 information that CEMAS has taken into account for this 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)

After reviewing the Business Support Programme, we are still confident that the policy does 9. Does the policy / practice eliminate discrimination and promote equality and not discriminate against any of the protected characteristics identified good community relations due to: The CEMAS Business Support Programme is open to all Welsh SMEs located in the

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

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.

10. Summary of the impact of the policy / The CEMS Business Support Programme continues to have a good impact with SMEs who receive the assistance within it. practice on the general equality duty
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 protected characteristics 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