This document summarizes discussions at a meeting of the ESF Transnational Platform regarding mutual learning and calls for proposals. Key points include:
- Mutual learning through the platform has been a success but more engagement is needed from larger member states, regions, and social partners.
- Participation in thematic networks has increased but some member states are still underrepresented.
- The 2018 coordinated call for proposals needs stronger leadership and harmonization to improve outcomes from the first call.
- A calls task force including managing authorities will help streamline the application and selection process for transnational projects.
- Next steps outlined include establishing the task force, agreeing on project themes and criteria, and starting the process now to publish calls
1. Social Europe
ESF Transnational Platform
Toby Johnson, Team leader
ESF Committee
Bratislava 1 December 2016
Mutual learning a success –
We must take a lead on calls
3. Social Europe
Meeting rhythm
3
TN 1st meeting 2nd meeting 3rd meeting 4th meeting
Employment BEnl 14-15 Dec 20-21 Apr 12-13 Jul (Rome) 6/7/8 or 13/14 Dec (Paris)
Inclusion ES 10-11 Dec 14-15 Apr 18 Jul 16:00 (web) 12-13 Jan?
Youth employment
DE BEnl CZ FI
14-15 Dec 10-11 Mar 20 Jun 19-20 Oct (Helsinki)
Learning & skills IT 1-2 Dec 9 Mar (web) 20-21 Jun 17-18 Nov (Brussels + Mons)
Social economy PL 12-13 Jan 19-20 May (Warsaw) 11 Jul 15:30 (web) 30 Nov-1 Dec (Bratislava)
Governance CZ 18-19 Jan
25-26 Feb
(Amsterdam)
18-19 May (Sofia) 10-11 Nov (Bratislava)
Simplification BEnl 9-10 Dec 25-26 May 6-7 Jul (Rome) 27-28 Oct (Paris)
Partnership EE IE 23-24 Nov 29 Feb-1 Mar 1 Jul (web) 27-28 Oct (Dublin)
Migrants - 22-23 Feb 7-8 Jun 13-14 Oct
6/9 outside Brusselsred = web meetinggreen = lead MSs
4. Social Europe
4
TN participation – Member States
0
5
10
15
20
25
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
w
w
w
W = web
Averages:
Round 1: 9.4
Round 2: 9.9
Round 3: 9.9
w
6. Social Europe
6
How many TNs
does each MS
attend?
21 countries attended at least 2 out of
the first 3 meetings (‘old’ MSs = 9
‘new’ MSs = 12)
6
2
2
5
4
3
5
1
7
2
4
CY = 1NB off map:
Most: BEnl, CZ PL
Next: EL, ES, HR, HU
7. Social Europe
Trends in TN participation
People from 26 MSs have taken part so far
Majority (57%) are ‘new’ MSs
No. of stakeholders doubled
More meetings hosted outside Brussels
Confidence in web meetings growing (?)
but
Large MSs, regions & social partners
underrepresented – esp. employers
8. Social Europe
A variety of activities & outputs
Problem analysis
Surveys
Good practice identification
Study visits
Peer reviews
Inspirational speakers
Practice seminars
Online learning + coaching
Logframes
Glossaries
Maps
Policy briefs
Peer review
reports
10. Social Europe
Issues
How to engage with participants’ daily issues
How to move:
from administrative entrepreneurial mindset
from subthemes problem-solving
How to raise horizons
How to interest employers
National networks
11. Social Europe
MS Themes Budget Projects
BEnl employment, inclusion, youth (not
mobility), learning & skills, social
economy, refugees
€2.5m 21
FI employment, inclusion, youth,
learning & skills
undefined 15
PL employment, social integration,
youth, lifelong learning, social
economy
€4.8m 43-60
SE inclusion, youth, social economy,
migrants
€7m 12
Total €14.3m+ c. 100
Low outturn on 1st co-ordinated call
12. Social Europe
Bouncing back
Transnational learning in practice as well as
policy is critical to future of ESF
Has an added value in enabling smart inclusive
growth
EQUAL outcomes are still powering innovation
What are the costs of non-transnationality? If
TNC dies, how will we know?
Create a virtuous circle of participation
Give a political lead!
13. Social Europe
EQUAL’s Community added value
IT: pioneered work on migration
CY, MT: women’s activity rate
CY: enabled asylum seekers to work
LV: new social services, target group involvement
FI, DE: visibility for vulnerable groups (offenders, addicts…)
FR: cross-cultural understanding
EE: introduced gender equality requirements
IE: repository of materials
LT: new policy areas – reconciliation, asylum-seekers
PL: partnership working
EL: mental health deinstitutionalisation
14. Social Europe
Response to the problem of calls
Capacity-building follow-up: geodesks, visits…
Encourage flow of flexible calls
2018 co-ordinated call:
Define sub-themes in TNs – this time we have
enough time & knowledge
Leadership: stronger harmonisation by an MA-
led calls task force
Simple framework but with detailed guidance
and copious dialogue
15. Social Europe
Results of calls seminar 7-8 Nov
10 MSs attended need
to reach more
Mutual learning is
valuable
Need for political lead
as well as technical help
Simple TCA – avoid
gold-plating
MS task force needed
to harmonise differences
National networks &
ambassadors are good
tools
Thankyou Finland,
Flanders, Poland,
Sweden!
16. Social Europe
Calls task force
Must include critical mass of MAs
Expenses reimbursed
Tasks:
Review ToR
Synergy between themes
Streamline and agree TCA format, debug system
Stimulate national networks
Help organise partner search fora
Monitoring, impact maximisation…
Report to conference June 2017
17. Social Europe
Timetable for 2018 Coord Call
Policy:
EC letter to MSs
MSs reply to online survey
Discuss at ESF Committee
Practice:
Task force set up
Task force agrees ToR, TCA etc.
Thematic Networks agree subthemes
Discuss at annual conference
Preparatory phase MAs publish calls
All MAs publish calls
Applications deadline
Projects start
Start now!
Dec 16
20 Jan (15 Feb) 17
5-6 Feb + 5-6 Apr 17
Jan 17
by May 17
by May 17
Jun 17
Jul 17
Oct-Dec 17
Feb-Apr 18
Oct 18
18. Social Europe
Member State actions
Answer Commission survey
Identify TNC champions
Join the task force!