News
One step further to making transnational and interregional cooperation work
in the ESF 2007-2013
April 2007
On the basis of the recommendations of a seminar with Member
States and regions that took place in January 2007, the Commission drafted an
action plan for facilitating transnational and interregional cooperation in the
ESF. The first step to implement this action plan was taken at a second seminar
in March where Member States and regions agreed to establish a formal network
and discussed future thematic networking possibilities and partner/information
search facilities.
Following on from the seminar organised on 23 January (See
news article), the Commission invited Member State
representatives to a further meeting on 22 March to continue the exchange on
relevant issues in programming and promoting transnational cooperation.
Participants working interactively
The seminar brought together around 50 representatives from 22 Member States,
and from regional governments responsible for managing transnational cooperation
in ESF programmes. Participation reflected the high interest of Member States
and in particular the regions.
Peter Stub Jørgensen, director in DG Employment, social affairs and equal
opportunities emphasized, in his introduction to the seminar, that transnational
cooperation should be a tool to achieve the Lisbon targets. He highlighted the
advantages of the open and flexible approach for transnational cooperation in
the future ESF but, on the other hand, reminded Member States and regions that
this approach requires effective support and orchestrated services and specific
skills amongst ESF managers and beneficiaries.
Hélène Clark, Head of a ESF geographic unit in DG Employment, followed up with more specific remarks on
programming. She stressed that the Commission, in its
assessment of how the transnational dimension has been incorporated in a draft
operational programme, looks for:
- an analysis of what lies behind, including of lessons learnt from previous
experience,
- an outline of the rational for promoting transnational cooperation which
should be part of a coherent strategy for the entire programme,
- in cases where the programme contains a priority dedicated to
transnational cooperation, an indication of specific objectives for
transnational cooperation and of main activities, indicative operations,
quantified targets, outputs and results,
- implementing provisions, including support services to facilitate
transnational cooperation.
The discussion on the Commission's "Action plan to support transnational
cooperation at EU level" focused on three action lines.
Thematic networking
The session was introduced by the Flemish ESF agency which, on the basis of
the theme of "inclusive entrepreneurship", demonstrated how a European
thematic network can operate. There was a strong call for
the Commission to continue its support to thematic networking, for example by
financing transnational events, helping in their preparation, providing thematic
expertise and involving Commission's services which are politically responsible
for the theme in question.
Establishing a network of ESF Managers
Participants discussing partner search tools
Participants discussed the setting up of a network of contact persons
in charge of transnational cooperation by looking at what the profile of these
people should be, and the tasks and objectives of such a network. The Commission
will now assess the outcome of the discussions and develop a mandate for the
network of contact persons. The first meeting is envisaged to take place early
autumn.
Partner and information search tool
The second interactive session was dedicated to a very practical aspect of
transnational cooperation: support in finding partners via an IT-tool. On the
basis of a demonstration by the Polish managing authority of a prototype for a
partner search tool, working groups were asked to consider the elements that were
useful and where improvements were needed. The Commission in collaboration with
the Community of Practice that has been established by some Member States will
ensure that the comments from the seminar will be taken on board in the
development of the Partner Search tool. An elaborated version is expected to be
presented at the first meeting of the network of contact persons.
Seminar
results
Action plan to support transnational cooperation at EU level
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