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

2. 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)

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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 Euro p.a.
Regions funded at a maximum amount of Euro p.a.
Funding micro projects at a maximum amount of Euro p.a.
In total 280 requests had been approved.

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. Thank you very much for your attention!
Contact: