NI EQUAL Community Initiative Programme Second Call Roadshow Pat Donnelly

1. NI EQUAL Community Initiative ProgrammeSecond Call RoadshowPat Donnelly

2. What is EQUAL? • Tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities • Targeted at those in work and those seeking to enter the labour market

3. What is EQUAL? • Part of the EU’s job strategy • Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) • Intended to have an impact on policy both nationally and at a European level • Not simply a training initiative

4. What is EQUAL? • The basics : • Programme period 2000 - 2006 • First call produced 6 projects • Second call 2004 • £4m available for this round • 65% ESF / 35 % Match Funding

5. What is Equal? Operates in stages : • Action 1:Set-up Development Partnerships and Transnational Cooperation Agreements (9 months) • Action 2: Implementation (up to 24 months) • Action 3: Thematic networking / dissemination / policy impact (up to 6 months beyond end of Action 2)

6. EQUAL themes • Nine themes for EQUAL generally, grouped under 5 headings : • EMPLOYABILITY • Entrepreneurship • Adaptability • EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES • Asylum seekers

7. EQUAL themes • First four linked directly to the European Employment Strategy • www.europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/employment_strategy/index_en.htm • Ninth covers the specific needs of asylum seekers, and not available for direct application in NI • NI asylum seeker projects can work with GB applicants

8. NI EQUAL themes • Theme A and Theme H • Would welcome applications under Theme H • Very few in first call • Only one DP currently in Theme H • Equality Commission supportive of drive to encourage more applications under Theme H

9. NI EQUAL themes • Employability • A : Facilitating access and return to the labour market for those who have difficulty in being integrated or reintegrated into a labour market which must be open to all • B : combating racism and xenophobia in relation to the labour market • NI will work on Theme A only

10. NI EQUAL themes • Equal Opportunities for men and women • G : Reconciling family and professional life, as well as reintegration of men and women who have left the labour market, by developing more flexible and effective forms of work organisation and support services • H : Reducing gender gaps and supporting job desegregation • NI will work on Theme H only

11. NI EQUAL themes • I: Asylum seekers • Not a devolved matter • Remains responsibility of Home Office • One Theme I project last time • GB based, but UK wide • NI participated through the DPA

12. Priority Groups • Long term unemployed and those who are economically inactive • Women who face difficulties in being (re) integrated, especially those with caring responsibilities and those with low levels of qualifications

13. Priority Groups • Disabled people, those experiencing mental health problems and those with learning difficulties • “Status 0” young people

14. How will it work ? • Projects will be run by Development Partnerships (DPs) • DPs must have at least two partners in them • May be geographical • May be sectoral • Must sign up to a formal Development Partnership Agreement (DPA) and a Transnational Co-operation Agreement (TCA)

15. Development Partnerships • Should involve key players and policy makers • Local and regional authorities • Public employment services • NGOs • Business sector (particularly SMEs) • Social partners

16. Transnationality • All DPs must have at least one partner from another Member State (EU 15) • New Member States also eligible (10) • Partnerships with countries also possible under the banner of the following EU programmes • PHARE • TACIS • MEDA

17. Transnationality • Not an added extra • Integral part of the programme • Potential partners should be encouraged to make EQUAL applications in their own countries • Partnership agreements must be formalised through the signing of a Transnational Cooperation Agreement (TCA)

18. Transnationality • Within the island of Ireland, North/South cooperation is welcomed • Promoted under the auspices of the Special EU Programmes Body • Joint activities can run in parallel with TCAs • Can be funded out of Action 3 budgets

19. What else is important? • Equal Opportunities • Innovation • Empowerment • Dissemination • Mainstreaming

20. Equal Opportunities • Regardless of the chosen theme, DPs will need to demonstrate that they are operating in an “equal” way • All DPs will need to show during the application process how EO will be incorporated into the design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of DP activity • Formalised in an EO policy document

21. Innovation • EQUAL is looking for new ways to get things done • New processes or methods • New target groups • Changes in systems • Could be a completely new approach • Could be a transfer of elements from elsewhere • DP itself could be innovatory in terms of partners or working methods

22. Empowerment • DPs need to show that they are inclusive • Should involve all relevant players • Should include those targeted for support • Should ensure that activities are relevant and appealing to those on the ground • Should not simply be a token involvement

23. Dissemination.v.Mainstreaming • Not the same but often confused • Dissemination : refers to DPs need to spread the word about their achievements • Mainstreaming : refers to the actual use of project findings and adoption of new practice

24. Dissemination • Need to plan how results will be disseminated • Mechanisms in place in Member States to facilitate this process • National Thematic Networks (NTNs) • DPs also have their own tools

25. Dissemination • Conferences • Web sites • Publications • Newsletters • Videos/CD-ROMs/DVDs • Media for launches, events • Marketing training courses

26. Mainstreaming • EQUAL projects are test-beds • Innovative activities tried and tested on transnational basis • Lessons learnt should feed into the policy process at local, national or European level • This is the EQUAL definition of mainstreaming

27. Mainstreaming • Two main types of mainstreaming • Horizontal : aimed at the DP, its partners and other local/regional agencies with similar interests • Vertical : aimed at influencing national policy, using key “influencers” to facilitate the transfer of key lessons • DPs should aim to do both

28. Mainstreaming • Key feature of EQUAL • EQUAL designed to support mainstreaming from the outset • Policymakers have been involved in identifying the policy gaps which drive the priorities for EQUAL • Policymakers also involved as partners in DPs and on NTN

29. How to apply • Applications open on February 23rd • Event planned for Belfast • Event will be dual-purpose • Mainstreaming event for the six current DPs • Formal launch of second call • Opportunity to see what has been done during the first call • Chance to meet and interact with DPs

30. How to apply • Applications in two parts • Part A on-line at www.eugrants.org • Minimal information required • Part B available from PROTEUS • Downloadable from www.proteus-ni.org • Available on disc • Available in hard copy • Will come with detailed guidelines • Forms must be typed or completed in WORD

31. Timetable • Applications close April 30 • Assessment period 3 months • Decisions conveyed July 30 • Action 1 starts October 1 • Action 2 starts July 1 2005 • Action 3 starts post July 1 2005 • Action 2 ends June 30 2007 • Action 3 ends December 31 2007

32. EQUAL Contacts • European Unit, DEL (Managing Authority) • 9025 7777 • PROTEUS (National Support Structure) • 9037 1023 • www.proteus-ni.org

33. Further Information You will receive an email containing • A copy of this presentation • An invitation to the EQUAL Mainstreaming Event/Second Call Launch on 23rd February 2004 (p.m.)