Mainstreaming Transnationality into European Social Fund Programmes in Wales ( ) Neil Thomas (Welsh Assembly Government)

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future WALES EUROPEAN STRUCTURAL FUND REGIONS

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future West Wales & the Valleys Convergence Priorities 1. Supplying young people with the skills for employment ( 164.9m *) 2. Increasing employment and tackling economic inactivity ( 286.8m *) 3. Improving skill levels and the adaptability of the workforce ( 331.8m*) 4. Modernising and improving the quality of our public services ( 33.0m*) (* ESF grant values)

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Convergence Priority 1: Supplying young people with skills for learning and future employment Priority focuses exclusively on young people 11-19; Tackling underachievement as well as raising skills and aspirations; 70% of resources will be targeted at the and 30% at ; 25% of young people helped will be in the NEET category; 30% of participants to gain qualifications and 60% to progress to further learning.

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Convergence Priority 2 and RC&E Priority 1: Increasing employment and tackling economic inactivity Shift of focus more towards the economically inactive Convergence – 70% RC&E – 85% Targets to get 25% of participants into work; 30% to gain qualifications and 33% to progress to further learning (both programmes); Convergence priority can also support workplace heath programmes.

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Convergence Priority 3 and RCE Priority 2: Improving skill levels and the adaptability of the workforce 60% of Convergence funding will be targeted at raising the skills base (i.e. basic literacy and numeracy, and up to Level 2); 35% at higher level skills i.e. Levels 3, 4 and above; 5% at promoting gender equality; Strong emphasis within RCE programme on raising skills base but also scope for supporting training at higher levels within small businesses (up to 50 employees); Ambitious targets for qualifications achievement (e.g. 42% of Convergence participants to achieve qualifications, including 50% of those pursuing basic skills).

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Convergence Priority 4: Modernising and improving the quality of our public services Convergence only and smallest priority; New area of activity for ESF and fits well with Welsh public services improvement agenda - Making the Connections; 40% of funding in this priority will support collaborative projects across public services; 60% of the priority resources will be spent on workforce planning and development.

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future East Wales Regional Competitiveness & Employment 1.Increasing employment and tackling economic inactivity ( 29.8m*) 2.Improving skill levels and the adaptability of the workforce ( 32.5m*) (*ESF grant value)

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Approach to Trans-national Projects Horizontal integration across all ESF Programmes No financial limits or targets for transnational activity Must fit priorities/themes in OPs & Strategic Frameworks

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Key Themes for Transnational Activity (ESF) Adaptability Integration of job-seekers and inactive people Integration of disadvantaged groups and combating discrimination Enhancing human capital Identifying innovative technologies and successful leadership and management practices in a trans-national context.

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future Issues working transnationally…… Culture change - transnational activity not an add-on Extra time and effort to find right partners Different cultures and working practices.

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future What is Wales doing…….? Trans-national and Territorial Co-operation Strategy: WEFOs role:- identify areas of co-operation – programme and project raise awareness of stakeholders of new opportunity partner signposting via networks e.g. EARLALL guidance on practical aspects of trans-national working website to post project ideas, links with other regions seminars to publicise transnational project ideas;

Welsh Project Ideas Roots to Success Vocational Education and Training Mobility Recognition of learning for migrant workers