A project aimed at raising awareness about equality among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be held later this month.

Equality North East's Equality in employment programme, to be launched at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead on March 23rd, aims to encourage equal opportunities in the workplace by highlighting the potential economic benefits.

The project consists of two free days of training for both employers and staff of SMEs, as well as workshops on topics such as bullying and harassment, avoiding discrimination, and building a diverse team.

Elizabeth Reay, chief executive of Equality North East, told bdaily that the offerings will be "tailored to the customer's real equality an diversity needs".

"This is a great opportunity for the SME community and we would encourage all to get involved and make a difference," she added.

Founded in 1994, Equality North East aims to help remove employment barriers within the region, thereby improving the quality of social and economic life.