Technical Working Group meeting 21 March 2012 Brussels Transnational Cooperation Czech Republic OP Human Resources and Employment Technical Working Group meeting 21 March 2012 Brussels

2007-2013 Transnational Cooperation Specific priority axis on TNC (2% of total OP allocation = 41 mil Eur) Implemented directly by MA TNC costs eligible in all other priority axes Implemented by IBs or MA

TNC Priority Axis – Global Objective To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of strategies and policies in the field of human resources and employment …through involvement of experience, best practices and skills of partners from EU countries

TNC Priority Axis - Supported Themes and Activities active labour market policy social integration equal opportunities public administration and public services Activities: - joint development and transfer of innovations - thematic networks - local partnerships

TNC Priority Axis – Basic Rules I. At least 1 TNC-partner from the EU Not possible to add partner during project realisation Letter of Intent to be submitted with project proposals Transnational cooperation agreement signed before awarding of grant Budget of the grant projects: 40 000 – 400 000 EUR Duration of projects: up to 3 years

TNC Priority Axis – Basic Rules II. TNC-partner = partner without financial support, with exception under certain conditions of travel and accommodation costs TNC-preparation costs are not eligible Min 25% TNC expenditures within the budget Expenditures of Czech organizations abroad are eligible (cost effectiveness has to be ensured) Transnational experts may be hired by Czech beneficiaries No co-financing needed – projects receive 100% expenditures Special attention to gender mainstreaming

TNC Priority Axis - Quantitative results 3 calls for proposals launched (2008, 2009, 2011) for grant projects 1 call launched for individual projects So far 105 supported grant projects (out of which 29 finished projects) All together 513 submitted applications Most frequent theme of projects – integration of excluded into the labour market

Transnational partners in the submitted projects

2007-2013 Lessons learnt Need for better cooperation and coordination among MS Need for efficient partner search mechanisms (databases, partner search forum etc.) Need for basic coordination / clear explanation of eligibility rules (especially concerning costs of TN partner)

Ideas for 2014-2020 Dedicated Priority Axis on TNC Participation in EU wide synchronised calls on some of the themes (e.g. active inclusion and gender equality) Leave some space for flexible approach but still thematically oriented Adapt German mobility programme Support ESF funded half year preparation period for projects (to find TN partners) Support continuation of TN Partner fora (based on Polish example) Discussion on eligibility rules – especially concerning TN partners

Learning Network on TNC in ESF Financed by EC grant, from December 2009 – November 2012 Objective: capacity building among ESF programme managers in transnational cooperation, exchange of experience, joint development of tools Partners: CZ (lead partner), DE, En, ES, FR, GR, PL, SE, SI Main activities: Preparation of possible ways of TNC implementation post 2013 Organisation of Learning Seminars Drafting of Working Papers Preparation of Training Tools Issuing Flash News and Newsletters Updating of www.transnationality.eu

Baseline Study on TNC in the EU I. Was carried out in 2010 Was based on 39 questionnaires from 20 MS (more questionnaires was received from regionalised countries – DE, ES, It) Most respondents to the survey believe that: transnationality should be implemented in the new programming period; a common framework should be adopted for TNC in the new programming period; targeting TNC on specific themes and/or actions seems to be more effective; transversal approach to TNC seems to be less effective; added value should be promoted more by the EC

Baseline Study on TNC in the EU II. Moreover, the survey highlighted the fact that: there has been  a high number of TNC calls launched and grant agreements signed under various OPs already in 2010; there is a considerable number of OPs which declare transnational cooperation formally, but do not implement it in reality. Finally, the survey showed that MS and regions have experience in TNC, which they are ready to share with others.

Working Group on TNC post 2013 Purpose of the Working group Constitution of the Working group All papers and documents available on www.transnationality.eu Work done + plans for 2012 Main discussions around: Common Framework: coordinated calls, common themes, thematic networks, roles of actors (EC, external TA, TN, TNC Advisory Committee, MS), tools (database, website, partner search fora) Flexible approach

Summary Information on Transnational Learning Networks Thirteen Learning Networks funded by the EC based on calls for proposals in 2008 and 2009 in the context of the Commission's Action Plan to support Transnational Cooperation at the EU level + Learning Networks financed solely by their members = Consolidated info on achieved results and plans for 2012, including contacts and links to webpages as of 15 February 2012

www.esfcr.cz www.transnationality.eu Thank you for your attention! www.esfcr.cz www.transnationality.eu ESF Management Department Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic