Cooperation and Partnership in Development of Education and Science in the Period of 2007-2013

1. Transnational Cooperation and Partnership in EQUALLessons from to-date experience in the context of 2007-2013 programming period Cooperation and Partnership in Development of Education and Science in the Period of 2007-2013 11-12th of June, 2007, Vilnius Krzysztof Jaszczołt,National Evaluator of EQUAL Initiative in Poland, KDU-CASE Consortium, tel: +48 504071298; E-mail: kjaszczolt@interia.pl

2. Transnational Cooperation (TC) and Partnership in EQUAL Plan • CI EQUAL in Poland • Transnational Cooperation in EQUAL • Framework • Application • Assessment of TC in EQUAL, Poland • Conclusions and recommendations • Key findings from other EQUAL evaluations • TC in 2007-2013 programming period • Example of the OP "Human Capital" in Poland

3. EQUAL in PolandKey Facts Community Initiative EQUAL The objective of EQUAL is to test and promote – within international co-operation – new ways of combating all forms of discrimination and inequality on the labour market.

4. EQUAL in PolandProgram structure 3 Implementation Phases Activity 1: Building Partnerships (1-6/2005) Activity 2: Implementing Projects (7/2005 – 12/2007) Activity 3: Disseminating Results (10/2007 – 3/2008) 5 Technical areas A: “Access and return to the labour market”, D: “Social Economy”, F: “Adaptability of firms and employees” G: “Reconciling family and professional life” I: “Supporting the integration of asylum-seekers” 6 Principles Thematic approach, Partnership, Empowerment, Transnational Cooperation, Innovation, Mainstreaming

5. EQUAL in PolandIntervention Logic Developmental hypothesis of EQUAL If we - focus on selected fields (Thematic approach), and - allow different sectors to join their efforts (Partnership), and - invite beneficiaries to actively participate (Empowerment), and - create conditions for international cooperation (Transnationality) Then - effective mechanism to develop innovative approaches will be created - new solutions will be generated and tested (Innovation) - successful ones will be widely adopted (Mainstreaming) In result - discrimination and inequalities in the labour market will be limited

6. EQUAL in PolandKey Facts - 99 Development Partnerships (DPs) - 99 Leaders (NGO 59%, PA 16%, EDU 15%, Firms 10%) - 690 Partners (average 7 / DP) - Total DPs’ budget = EUR 150 mln (average EUR 1,5 mln / DP) - Resource utilization by 3/2007: Time 67%, Budget 30%

7. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALKey Facts Organization: - TC is a Key Principle and integral part of every DP project - Each DP is obliged to enter into at least one TCA - TCA must be approved by Managing Authority in each country - Common Database of EQUAL, ECDB – networking tool Resources: - Total TC budget = EUR 8,8 mln (6% of the program budget) - Expenditures by 3/2007: EUR 1,7 mln (EUR 17 600 / DP)

8. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALResearch basis: 3 Editions of on going evaluation research - Program monitoring data - Questionnaires for all DPs (leaders and partners) - Questionnaires for MA, NSS, MC - 40 Case Studies - Interviews with the key actors in the program

9. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALTC is a meeting "Transnational Cooperation is about meeting across borders and cultures to take benefits of similarities and differences" As any other form of meeting, - it has its goal, participants, topic, context, etc - its effectiveness will be higher, if it is well prepared and managed

10. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALTC is a meeting

11. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALWhy to meet? • Key advantages: • to take benefit of multi-country experience • to make a better use of results • Other advantages • - increased knowledge on discrimination and exclusion • - benchmarking across Member States • - transfer of managerial know-how • - credibility to the work carried out by international partnerships

12. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALWho to meet with? • Facts: • 142 TC Agreements signed (1,4 / DP) • 490 international partners (3,4 / TCA) • Country structure of Polish DPs: • Italy - 22%, • Spain - 12%, • Germany 10%, • France 8%, • Other countries 48% (Lithuania 1,6%)

13. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALWho to meet with? Observations: Time pressure constraint Effective process in quantitative terms Generally positive experience w/ ECDB Criteria were reasonable, but simple Limited pool of partners and knowledge Few “already known” partners

14. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALWhat to meet about? Models of TC Exchange of information / experience Parallel development Import, export and adaptation Common product Exchange of people / services

15. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALWhat to meet about? • Observations: • Most DPs didn't expect "common product” or “import/export” model. • Preference to "info exchange" and "learning" is natural, since DPs: • have no experience in TC • have limited knowledge on partners • are building relations from scratch • are delayed with their in own products • are self-focused

16. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALWhen and where to meet? Facts: Delay of Act.1 Agreements caused problems in setting TCAs TCAs were concluded in the 2nd quarter of 2005 - intense contacts TC slowed down in the beginning of Act.2 Since the 2nd quarter of 2006 TC is systematically growing again. Meetings abroad prevail in every phase.

17. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALWho pays the bill?

18. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALTC framework • Observations: • TC influence on DP project: • project design phase – limited • implementation – varies • dissemination of results – ? Different timetables and approaches expenditures among MS Delay in financing slowed down the process Relationship between national projects and TNP is not clear Budget is not a problem, liquidity is Participants are positive on the general framework for TC in EQUAL

19. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALHow to meet? Facts: Most TNPs are managed by a coordinator (R1 partner or by rotation) Remaining TNPs establish a common secretariat and a Steering Committee In most cases technical activities are managed by a joint workplan Preference to working-type relations & coop. forms (workshops, study-tours)

20. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALHow to meet? Observations: Untli TC means "exchange of info" current structures are sufficient. More sophisticated models can be a challenge. Issues in communication, coordination and in-consistent expectations Relevance of TC work in the context of national projects

21. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALAssessment of TC Two dimensions: (1) Are there necessary conditions in place to allow for effective TC? (2) What are the results of TC?

22. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALAssessment of TC 1. Willingness to cooperate and share experience 2. Ability to cooperate (knowing needs, having skills) 3. Possessing developed & documented products 4. Knowing rules and procedures of TC 5. Giving consideration to cultural context and legal limitations

23. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALTC Success Factors (1)

24. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALTC Success Factors (2)

25. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALBarriers

26. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALBarriers • DPs’ perspective: • Communication, • Coordination • Different expectations • Other issues: personnel rotation, approvals by MAs, lack of time for TC. • MA-NSS perspective: • Ability to cooperate (experience, needs) • Delay in product development • Communication

27. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALResults of TC (1) • By managerial and technical dimensions: • DP leaders’ opinion improved • TC results refer mostly to technical sphere of projects • Number of positive examples of TC increased (9/06 – 65%; 3/07 – 73%),

28. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALResults of TC (2) • TC benefits by type of exchange • information • ideas & inspirations • transfer of tools and methods • development of common products • exchange of people / services

29. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALResults of TC (3) Observations: Benefits claimed by DPs are typical for an early phase of TN relationship - 53% of statements refer to "info-exchange" or "inspirations" - One of four DPs has actually applied a solution generated through TC - Participation in a joint TC project was mentioned by only one of ten DPs - Instances of exchanging services, trainers or project staff are very rare (3%)

30. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALResults of TC (3) Observations: In spite of the generic nature of to date benefits, all EQUAL participants have positive opinion on the utility of TC. Assessment of this element of the program is getting better in subsequent editions of the evaluation research.

31. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALConclusions / Recommendations: 1. Although the conditions created for TC were not optimal, to date results are encouraging. Taking into account very positive opinions on utility of TC, we have assessed this element of the program as “good” (4 pts in 1–5 scale). 2. Building TN relationship from the scratch is a process that requires significant time. Linking it with a goal to develop complex technical project can bring an adverse effect (constraining not supporting factor). 3. Depending on circumstances, TC can be considered as a value by itself, or as a horizontal objective, subordinated to the primary goalsof the program. In the case of demanding, innovative measures, as EQUAL is, we recommend the latter option. (Simple exchange of information and experience is not sufficient to fully utilized opportunities available through TC)

32. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALConclusions / Recommendations: 4. In order to raise TC to more ambitious level (exchange of tools and services, joint ventures, etc), it should be project- not partner-driven. To this end phase of setting TNPs should be implemented when technical project is fully designed. 5. To realize benefits of international exchange at the project design phase separate networking measures could be implemented before the main program is launched. Encouraging joint proposals by international partners could additionally strengthen the project itself, as well as increase potential of future TC. 6. Partner database proved to be very useful in facilitating “first contact” between potential partners. Whatever approach to TC is selected, idea of releasing information on local entities interested / involved in ESF measures is worth supporting.

33. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALConclusions / Recommendations: 7. Facilitating TN cooperation is a demanding coordination task. Especially important seems availability of time and financial resources. It is recommended that networking efforts be carefully planned, taking into account process-related requirements. 8. A good communication skill of technical staff is a precondition of successful TC. An approach to project staff selection should be reconsidered. It seems that solutions applied in EQUAL were only partially effective in this regard. 9. Taking into account substantial costs of TC, as well as its potential, good practices in utilizing TC results should be documented and promoted (integrating TC in project proposals, arrangements for proper planning of study tours, methods of sharing knowledge within project teams and among DP partners.

34. Transnational Cooperation in EQUALOther EQUAL evaluations: Findings Guidance provided at the European level was found useful Geographic patterns of partner selection Approaches to internal organization of technical works (groups, division of work) Models of self-evaluation (external / internal evaluator; TC evaluation at the DP level) Problems with TC feasibility after the end of the program Recommendations: EC should consider taking over a coordinating role for different types of TC TN projects to be planned as own projects or simultaneously with national projects. Organize close coordination between all the MS (a minimum of common issues)

35. Transnational Cooperation in EQUAL2007-2013 Programming Period Working Group on Transnational and Interregional Cooperation (1) Programming TC - 3 options: Option A: A dedicated transnational priority Option B: A cross-cutting approach Option C: A comprehensive transnational approach Strategic building blocks for efficient TN activities Define the issues for transnational activities Ensure effective use of the results of TC Specify the forms or types of eligible TN collaboration Capacity building Ensure monitoring and assessment of achievements

36. Transnational Cooperation in EQUAL2007-2013 Programming Period Working Group on Transnational and Interregional Cooperation (2) Each OP should specify the type, scope and form of TC it wishes to support Five common requirements: Clear decisions on the eligible activities Linking of individual project results to policies (thematic clusters ). A platform for partner-search and matching. Approval of TN activities rests with the MA who provides financing MS is responsible for monitoring of TN (joint evaluation of partnerships and activities.)

37. Transnational Cooperation in EQUAL2007-2013 Programming Period TC in OP “Human Capital” (Poland) Status: Negotiations w/ the Commission to be closed in June Initial version of TC guidance by June 15th Detailed description of priorities by September Draft guidance (1): TC principal proved effective and added value to the EQUAL program in Poland (innovation, institutional capacity, TN networks) These benefits could be yet maximized if: - TC stems directly from the needs of particular project - Implementors receive support at design, implementation, mainstreaming phases

38. Transnational Cooperation in EQUAL2007-2013 Programming Period • TC in OP “Human Capital” (Poland) • Draft guidance (2) • TC will be promoted in the HC OP through a cross-cutting, horizontal approach • - maximum flexibility in the TC implementation • - easy access to TN experience under all priorities • Three models of TN Cooperation: • between projects that are implemented in different MS • between networks of institutions that are active in similar technical areas • between institutions that operate in similar fields and provide support to one another.

39. Thank you for your attention!