1. ESF Conference: Summary of Key Learning's in Working Group 1: Implementing the YEI and the ESF to support the Youth Guarantee: developing partnerships and building stakeholder capacity
15 November 2013,
Vilnius

2. Aims of the Working Groups
_ to identify common challenges;
_ to learn from good practice, experience and plans in other countries; and
_ to develop ideas for implementing ESF and YEI schemes that meet the needs in their own countries and regions.

3. Key questions (for discussion in the small groups)
_ How does your Member State intend to programme the YEI in and ensure linkages with ESF-supported structural reforms?
_ What mechanisms should be in place to ensure the sustainability of the results of YEI interventions?
_ How can we most effectively develop the partnerships needed for rapid implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative among all stakeholders concerned: PES, employers, education institutions, youth organisations, NGO in the social sector?
_ How can we build the capacity of stakeholders to take on the new tasks involved in implementing the Youth Employment Initiative, from Public Employment Services, through other public authorities to the private sector and voluntary organisations, especially those working in the youth sector?  

4. Inputs during the two working group sessions
Interventions by the EC (ESF policy and programming units) on YEI and Youth Guarantee
Four practise presentations:
_ Practise 1: Guiding the young adults of Pärnumaa to the labour market with the help of the community (Estonia)
_ Practise 2: Youth support project in North Karelia (Finland)
_ Practise 3: Local Empowerment (Germany)
_ Practise 4: Petra - Youth to Work and Education (Finland)

5. 14 Learning & Discussion points - I
_ Learning 1: Member States are divers in their settings and structures by dealing with youth unemployment;
_ Learning 2: In most MS, the structures to implement ESF are well established; a need is seen to assist individuals directly;
_ Learning 3: Be active! (talk less and do more )
_ Learning 4: The planning process is of great importance: it must be ensured that the partners are on board from the start;
_ Learning 5: Establishing ownership is a key;
_ Learning 6: All relevant partners must be involved for the YEI;
_ Learning 7: In order to best learn from successes and failures in other MS, cross-border cooperation may assist;

6. 14 Learnings & Discussion points - II
_ Learning 8: Need for a change of mentality towards unattractive jobs (involve employers);
_ Learning 9: Need to inform youth on labour rights already during the stage of the educational system;
_ Learning 10: Gender aspects must be taken into account!
_ Learning 11: Partnerships need coordination (from the central level);
_ Learning 12: PARTNERSHIP is a MUST!
_ Learning 13: In order to ensure sustainability of actions, local authorities may act as the ESF implementing body;
_ Learning 14: ESF is limited: Modernizing PES is a much broader issue and needs to be covered by national means.

7. Cooperation Coordination Collaboration Forms of relationship
Forms of relationship
Cooperation
Coordination
Collaboration
Loose Relationship
Close Relationship
Characteristics: information is shared, informal or formal
Characteristics: some joint planning, intensified communication and closer working relationship
Characteristics: joint objectives and decision making, shared commitment, developed partnership
Multi- stake
holder arrange ments
Strategic Orientation
Aims
To share information
To discuss topics
To network
To jointly develop policy areas
To solve (cross-policy) problems
To elaborate future partnerships
To improve strategic planning and policy delivery
To contribute to systemic change by sharing responsibility
Forms of agreement
Informal: Mutual agreements
Informal/formal: Memorandum of Understanding, Codes of Conduct, Guidelines
Formal (legally binding):Partnership agreements, pacts, multi-lateral contracts
Examples
Policy Forums, Strategic Platforms, Networks, Consultations, etc.
PES involvement in Social Dialogue, Councils, Committees, Boards, etc.
Strategic partnerships such as Structural Fund Partnerships in Sweden and the Territorial Employment Pacts in Austria
Arrange ments with one or two partners
Operative Orientation
To exchange information about particular services
To update knowledge
To integrate skills into PES
To coordinate services
To explore possibilities
To balance options
To jointly improve specific (employment) services
To enhance employment options
To boost social inclusion
Informal/Formal: Mutual agreements, Contracts in case of contracting out of services
Informal/formal: Agreements between parties
Meetings between parties, Contracting out, Outsourcing of government employment services, etc.
Coordination of skill supply and demand in a territory, etc.
Service partnerships such as the Local Employment Partnerships in the UK and Public-Private Partnerships of various kinds

8. Contact Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI) Linke Wienzeile 246
A Vienna
Phone
Fax
Anette Scoppetta