TRANSNATIONALITY Benefits and future possibilities Transnational co-operation in the implementation of the ESF programmes in Johannes Wikman, The Swedish ESF council

Experiences from one out of the 1200 Equal partnerships: Gives a reality to EU membership (European dimension)Gives a reality to EU membership (European dimension) Establishes networks for wider use than just EQUALEstablishes networks for wider use than just EQUAL Improvement of national approach through a process of peer reviewImprovement of national approach through a process of peer review Raises the profile of national work and thereby contributes to more successful mainstreamingRaises the profile of national work and thereby contributes to more successful mainstreaming Makes alternative sources of information availableMakes alternative sources of information available Enables experimentation in areas of common interestEnables experimentation in areas of common interest Increase self esteem and motivationIncrease self esteem and motivation Increase capacity to adapt to new situations (also in national DPs)Increase capacity to adapt to new situations (also in national DPs) Increase ability to relate to various perspectivesIncrease ability to relate to various perspectives Improve social skills, empathy and assertivenessImprove social skills, empathy and assertiveness TRANSNATIONALITY

The mainstream is where the principal, dominant ideas, attitudes, practices or trends are. To mainstream is about influencing these dominant ideas, attitudes, practices or trends to achieve change in policy and in practice.

But… Transnational partnerships, a vehicle of added value 3 factors of success : -The transnational project is a part of the local project -There are exchanges of trainers or staff, -The TCP produces common tools or products Without automatic link with innovation

A well founded and verified tool to achieve: Sustainable Development through innovation (both personal, organisational and institutional) through Stimulating learningStimulating learning Strengthening the power of initiativeStrengthening the power of initiative Benchmarking (organised comparison)Benchmarking (organised comparison) Development of IdeasDevelopment of Ideas New perspectivesNew perspectives TRANSNATIONALITY

Future possibilities: Separate priority in ESFSeparate priority in ESF Additional transversal funding possibilityAdditional transversal funding possibility (like in EQUAL) Earmarked part of every project decisionEarmarked part of every project decision Broad collaboration based on interestBroad collaboration based on interest What next? TRANSNATIONALITY

Task force of MS (network platform)Task force of MS (network platform) CommissionCommission support for networking to proposalsVoluntary commitment to proposalsWho? Sweden, UKgb, Poland, France Czech rep, Italy, Greece and Finland TRANSNATIONALITY

Comfort zone Expanded comfort zone Potential growth zone ”Stretch”

A story, so you will never forget!

Promoting Transnational Cooperation Four Strategic Choices Rationale and functionWhy/what for? Thematic preferenceAbout what? Geographical preferenceWith whom? SustainabilityWhat next?

Promoting Transnational Cooperation Three Operational Choices Actors and types of collaborationWho & how? Support and guidance What else? “Concertation” needsWhat if?

Promoting Transnational Cooperation Two Programming options in ESF Dedicated priority axis Integration into “thematic” priorities Or both!

Promoting Transnational Cooperation One agreed communication strategy Clear message to implementing bodies, potential promoters and other Member States providing background information on the strategic and operational choices made

TRANSNATIONALITY Thank You for your attention… Now… perhaps some questions