1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Transnational partners in the submitted projects

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. Working Group on TNC post 2013
Purpose of the Working group
Constitution of the Working group
All papers and documents available on
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

15. 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

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