ESF ACROSS BORDERS: ENGAGING THE REGIONS Action Plan to support to transnational and interregional cooperation at EU level Gerhard Bräunling March

Why support transnational cooperation? - improve governance and impact of policies and programmes by learning from others - contribute to developing a European labour market Member States at national, regional and local level Commission via EQUAL

The basis – Operational Programmes Total budget of dedicated priorities: 1,43 billion Estimated total budget for transnational and interregional cooperation: 3 billion Popular themes for transnational cooperation: –disadvantaged, discrimination, diversity –gender and work/life balance –LLL in firms, entrepreneurship and innovation –promoting partnerships –Improving human capital: Reforms in education and training systems

A broad range of approaches Benchlearning Collabora tive activity Mobility of people Policy themes and issues Capacity building and governance Skills development

Action plan to support transnational cooperation Establishment of a common information platform to identify and share the themes and funding provisions for transnational cooperation The creation and application of a user-friendly IT toolkit facilitate searches for partners, events, activities and results Establishment of a network of contact points to share experience, practice and tools Thematic networks, exchange events and policy fora of groups of Member States and regions Validating and disseminating good practices and results

Role of contact points experienced and trained on the job, good language skills, good knowledge in employment and social exclusion policies provide services for contact persons from other countries (information and liaison point; organise study visits, etc.) Support ESF management teams at all levels, in particular Intermediate Bodies Advise and support applicants and beneficiaries (by organising information events, support in partner search etc.)

Action plan to support transnational cooperation Establishment of a common information platform to identify and share the themes and funding provisions for transnational cooperation The creation and application of a user- friendly IT toolkit facilitate searches for partners, events, activities and results Establishment of a network of contact points to share experience, practice and tools Thematic networks, exchange events and policy fora of groups of Member States and regions Validating and disseminating good practices and results

Information and partner search toolkit Applicants, beneficiaries and the wider public need tools to search information and partners Information throughout the lifecycle of an activity Contact points will play an important role in testing and promoting the toolkit The Italian Government has started to develop the toolkit, in close collaboration with the contact points

Action plan to support transnational cooperation Establishment of a common information platform to identify and share themes and funding provisions for transnational cooperation The creation and application of a user-friendly IT toolkit facilitate searches for partners, events, activities and results Establishment of a network of contact points to share experience, practice and tools Thematic networks, exchange events and policy fora of groups of Member States and regions Validating and disseminating good practices and results

A web based communication platform Contact points and other relevant stakeholders can use the platform to exchange information, concerns, practices and implementation provisions It is robust, flexible and easy to use: www. transnationality.eu

Action plan to support transnational cooperation Establishment of a common information platform to identify and share the themes and funding provisions for transnational cooperation The creation and application of a user-friendly IT toolkit facilitate searches for partners, events, activities and results Establishment of a network of contact points to share experience, practice and tools Thematic networks, exchange events and policy fora of groups of Member States and regions Validating and disseminating good practices and results

EU wide exchange and learning platforms Objectives: benchlearning, validation of good practice from OPs, and its capitalisation through action plans under the OPs Call for proposals by European Commission Key ESF themes and good governance issues Lead partners: ESF managing authorities Max duration: 36 months Max ESF contribution:

Action plan to support transnational cooperation Establishment of a common information platform to identify and share the themes and funding provisions for transnational cooperation The creation and application of a user-friendly IT toolkit facilitate searches for partners, events, activities and results Establishment of a network of contact points to share experience, practice and tools Thematic networks, exchange events and policy fora of groups of Member States and regions Validating and disseminating good practices and results

Conclusions Consensus that contact points (CP) are crucial to make transnational exchange and cooperation work CPs have met personally and are now starting to exchange plans and provisions, common issues, concerns and practices on the website Regions and member states have started to commit themselves to formal cooperation to maximise synergies, complementarities and benefits common exchange, validation and mainstreaming efforts: –Thematic networks –Networks to support mobility at all levels EU wide learning platforms will support rapid learning and integrate good practice into OPs