Federal Pilot Programme Local Empowerment (STÄRKEN vor Ort) (Apendant to the Initiative Encouraging Youth) in the ESF-Intervention Phase 2007-2013 Bastian Schneider, Stiftung SPI Berlin

ESF programmes of the Initiative Encouraging Youth Truancy – The Second Chance  Reintegration of truants whose graduations are at risk into regular school system Case Management (individual longterm support) Competence agencies  Integration of youths who are not being reached by the supporting system after school Local Empowerment  Stabilisation and activation of youths and women in low-threshold projects Adressing local authorities Local Action Plans Local micro projects (small grants) Active in Region  Stabilisation of youths who are not (anymore) reached by the supporting system Outreach social work (partial small grants)

Objectives and target groups of Local Empowerment The core objectives of Local Empowerment are to support… ....disadvantaged young persons and women with special difficulties in the job market, …citizens and stakeholders who assist young people and women in their professional, educational and social integration (strengthen social infrastructure), …processes of activation, civil participation, and networking of local stakeholders within a selected assisting area, …local stakeholders who have not been able to profit from ESF support so far.

Multi-Level Partnership DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities EU level Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth ARGE ESF-Regiestelle (Managing Authority) MS level Reporting Local Administration (Intermediate Body) Local Coordination Unit / Accompanying Committee Local Level Micro project Micro project Micro project Micro project Micro project Micro project

Funding guide lines/ Frame Only local authorities are entitled to apply for funding Funding mainly focused on neighbourhood renewal areas or rural districts with weak economic developement and decline in population Urban areas funded at maximum 100.000 Euro p.a. Regions funded at a maximum amount of 150.000 Euro p.a. Funding micro projects at a maximum amount of 10.000 Euro p.a. In total 280 requests had been approved.

Requirements for Local Empowerment Design of a Local Action Plan for the assisted area Functioning network of public authorities Set up of a local coordination office by the local or regional authorities Participation of local networks Creation of an Accompanying Committee including social stakeholder from the development area Involvement of local residents.

Spatial Approach Implementation of the programme in spatially defined (usually urban) areas.

Local Networks SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS SCHOOLS MIGRANT ORGANISATIONS ASSOCIATIONS/ ORGANISATIONS TARGET GROUP REPRESENTATIVES INHABITANTS CHURCHES PARISHES BUSINESSES

Local Coordination Unit The local network works together closely with public authority networks of local and regional/rural districts. For this purpose a local coordination office (LOK) is established. Tasks of the LOK are direct management and coordination of the programme implementation and transfer of information within the assisted area. Furthermore the LOK has to report Data to ESF-Regiestelle.

Local Action Plan Local stakeholders and inhabitants are regarded as the experts with respect to the needs of their district (bottom-up approach). Therefore, a Local Action Plan is compiled cooperatively between all stakeholders and the Coordination Office.

Local Action Plan situation analysis of the relevant area compilation of development targets suitably coordinated concept of action ideas for sophisticated micro projects

Accompanying Committee The Accompanying Committee consists of… target group representatives, residents, public authority networks, stakeholders within the local network. Based on the Local Action Plans, the Accompanying Committee decides which micro projects will be funded.

Examplary Micro projects Like… Training workshops Strengthen self convidence and soft skills (i.e. creative workshops) Initiate job exchanges togehter with local stakeholders (i.e. local enterprises) Coaching during on-the-job-trainings Supporting local action groups Training for application Arranging internships Qualification via manufacturing, gardening or volunteer employment projects.

Key Figures „Local Empowerment“ More than 9.000 micro projects involving 235.000 participants, including 166.000 young people (70%) 12.000 participants advanced to the labour market

New pilot programme for the ESF-period 2014-2020 „Encouraging Youth in the Neighbourhood“ Carried out by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth and the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development Target group: socially or personally disadvantaged young people who do not benefit from the existing support systems (transition from school to employment) Goal: tackling the challenges that these young people face while making the transition and encouraging them to successfully enter the labour market / training Program locations: areas / neighbourhoods with development priority (special focus on the situation of young people)

New pilot programme for the ESF-period 2014-2020 „Encouraging Youth in the Neighbourhood“ Methods: Case Management (individual longterm support) Outreach social work Counselling / Clearing (individual low-threshold support) Micro projects (spatial approach) Responsibility for local coordination lies with local youth authorities in co-operation with schools, Jobcenters, employment agencies and other service providers

Thank you very much for your attention! Contact: modellprogramm-jugend-staerken@esf-regiestelle.eu http://www.staerken-vor-ort.de/