EU-Learning Networks under the 2007-2013 ESF “where we stands now?”

1. EU-Learning Networks under the 2007-2013 ESF“where we stands now?” Network The better future for social economy Seminar on 15-16 MarchWarszawa Luca PIROZZI European CommissionDG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

2. Content • The policy context: Europe 2020 • The ESF 2007-2013 and the support and the incentives at European level • The Transnational Learning Networks • The Network on Better Future for Social Economy

3. Europe 20203 interlinked priorities & 5 headline targets 3 interlinked priorities • Smart growthdeveloping an economy based on knowledge and innovation • Sustainable growthpromoting a more efficient, greener and more competitive economy • Inclusive growthfostering a high-employment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion 5 EU headline targets (translated into national targets) • 75 % employment rate (% of population aged 20-64 years) • 3% investment in R&D (% of EU’s GDP) • “20/20/20” climate / energy targets met • < 10% early school leavers & min. 40% hold tertiary degree • 20 million less people should be at risk of poverty

4. Europe 2020 7 flagship initiatives underpin the targets

5. 2007-2013 ESF: implementation of Transnationality • mainstreaming of EQUAL's approaches, incl. innovation TN & IR cooperation • MSs/regions are to identify priorities & define implementation arrangements in their OPs in all ESF policy areas, for all types and levels of actors, and for all types of exchange and cooperation • Given this flexibility, MSs chose different ways to implement TNC in their OPs • 47 Operational Programmes in 7 Mss have a priority axis on TN – BG, DE [nat. + 2 Länder], ES [19 reg. OPs], IT [2 nat. + 21 reg. OPs] and FI • 6 MSs/regions include dedicated measures in at least one of their OPs- BEnl, 3 DE Länder, and CZ • more than half of OPs adopted a horizontal approach that offers the opportunity to fund TN activities in one/several priority axes - 11 DE Länder, EE, FR, LT, LU, AT, PO, RO, UK-NI, UK-Scotland

6. Support and incentives at European level • In parallel to MSs/regions actions, some EU-level activities • 2007: network of ESF managers dealing with implementation of TN actions under regional/national OPs (Contact Points) • end 2009 an Ad-hoc group of ESF Committee, aiming at promotion of TNC/Innovation in ESF Programmes • 2008/2009 calls addressed to Managing Authorities/Intermediate Bodies, aiming at the support of 13 EULearning Networks • focusing on a range of thematic and governance issues relevant to projects funded by the ESF • their outcomes are expected to • contribute to EU policy development • improve the quality and efficiency of relevant funding

7. The 13 Learning Networks

8. The Commission’s contribution • To better respond to challenge of maximising the outcomes of LN work, a strong partnership between Commission and LNs is needed • Three major areas of Commission support/assistance: • Provide LNs with access to other Commission services and develop, as far as possible, a European approach on the themes of the networks • Ensure that the work of AEIDL (technical assistance) provides appropriate support • Structure opportunities for LNs to discuss potential synergies in their work and exchange their good practices  concentrate efforts on supporting LNs in different ways of transforming findings (e.g. from baseline studies; peer reviews; workshops; etc.) into conclusions and recommendations that will bring about changes in policy, and improve the quality and efficiency of ESF and other EU funding

9. 1. Development of a European approach • In monitoring development of networks, Commission has adopted an inter-service approach involving other DG EMPL units and other DGs in “support teams”, to ensure that most of the relevant aspects can be covered  In the case of BFSE network:EMPL.C.2 (CSR); EMPL.D.2 (SSGI + ENSIE network); ENTR.E.3 (social enterprises); ESF.E.1 coordination unit

10. 2. AEIDL (technical assistance experts’ team) • AEIDL support: • Monitoring development of LNs (Quarterly Reports) • Developed a package of “common methodologies”, to provide a set of proven tools, methods and practices to help network coordinators and managers • Planning • LN development and consolidation; • Communication between participants in LN; • Using peer reviews in LN; • Providing better quality of evidence for policy change; • Mainstreaming network results; • Measuring the impact/effectiveness of LNs at regional, national and EU level. • First findings were presented in June 2010

11. 3. Opportunities for LN exchanges Coordination meetings with LN managers/members to facilitate communication & synergies between networks • bring networks up to date on latest developments - EU policy context • allow networks to present their objectives, programmes and partners • identify areas/topics for possible synergies between networks (e.g. BFSE with COPIE LN) • remind LNs of their administrative, financial & reporting responsibilities. Commission is aware of the need to provide further support to LNs through • Space for discussing identified synergies and exchanging good practices • Training opportunities • Assistance with management, monitoring and evaluation arrangements • Responses to other LN needs. • A questionnaire was addressed to LNs on 31 January on how to improve the partnership with the Commission Next meeting in May 2011

12. Better Future for Social Economy Network some relevant activities at EU level * Public consultation on State aid rules on SGI, launched jointly by DGs COMP & EMPL - Objective: to evaluate implementation of 2005 Reg. DG COMP will prepare a summary by end March - next step: a Commission paper, possibly a Communication * Public consultation on modernisation of EU public procurement policy launched by DG MARKT (until 18.04.2011): http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/publicprocurement/modernising_rules/consultations/index_en.htm * recent guide on taking account of social considerations in public procurement might be of interest: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=978&furtherNews=yes * Guide on financing services of general interest in compliance with EU rules also recently published. It might be of use for another strand of network: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=977&furtherNews=yes

13. Better Future for Social Economy Network strong coordination Experience from 13 LNs so far shows need for a “shared” vision of what LNs try to achieve and a strong spirit of partnership among LNs members This would require: • to coordinate the activities of the LNs, not only for administrative / financial purposes, but to be able to achieve objectives "AS A NETWORK“ • to ensure the appropriate environment to WORK TOGETHER including more meetings with ALL LNs partners BFSE: new focus on tasks and not strands is welcome. Still need for: • strengthening "ownership" of all LN activities, not only of specific strands of work • elaborating on potential bridges and synergies between strands (experts’ work) • a common understanding of applied definitions and issues at stake • ensuring “continuity” in LN work (adequate action planning and follow-up)

14. Better Future for Social Economy Network dissemination/mainstreaming important challenge: • make clearer how to use network’s results • experience of other LNs is based on “stakeholders mapping”. Some LNs are actively involving potential stakeholders from the very beginning • develop website. Not only for internal reinforcement purpose, but to give external visibility to LN work • LN could take advantage of AEIDL expert • LN can benefit from their knowledge/expertise • Some questions on “Common Methodologies”: • to what extent they have been of some use? • How could you imagine further advice/support? E.g.: any use of AEIDL to develop a sort of "mixed" approach internal / external for evaluation?

15. Some Final Reflections Many MSs acknowledge the importance of LNs as vehicle for policy change through their leading roles and active participation in LNs and the linking of LN activity with national TC initiatives The common challenges for the EU and the MSs is to transform the learning from LNs processes into clear messages for policies and reforms and to ensure that these are pursued appropriately

16. Thank you for your attention!