Transnational Co-operation Contacts in ESF Programmes start networking and
cooperating
October 2007
At the spring exchange seminar on programming transnational cooperation in ESF
programmes 2007-2013, Member State representatives suggested establishing a network of contact points. Subsequently national and regional contact
persons were officially nominated. The Commission organised a kick-off meeting
for the network of nominated contact points for transnational cooperation on 12
and 13 September 2007 to ensure that effective mechanisms and procedures for
making it work were put in place. The main purpose of this meeting was to
stimulate networking between the contact points, by exchanging plans on the
implementation of the transnational dimension of national and regional ESF
Operational Programmes, and by discussing their tasks, tools and communication.
The results were presented to the
"Technical working group" of the ESF Committee on
September 26 2007.
Interesting debates
around animated tables
The seminar brought together 45 representatives from 26 Member States
responsible for managing transnational cooperation in a national or regional ESF
programme. Participation reflected the high level of interest of Member States and in
particular the Regions.
Main results
1. The 'state of play' in integrating transnational cooperation into operational programmes
It was estimated that at least € 3 billion will be used for transnational
cooperation in the ESF 2007-2013 programming period, with €1.43 billion allocated for dedicated priority
'axis'. Of the 117 ESF OPs, 42 will promote
transnational cooperation within the framework of a dedicated priority 'axis'.
The most frequently listed themes for transnational cooperation are:
- improving the social inclusion of disadvantaged people, including combating
discrimination and promoting acceptance of diversity in the work place;
- improving women's access to employment and the reconciliation of work and
private life;
- lifelong learning for employees and improving their adaptability; promoting
entrepreneurship and innovation;
- promoting partnerships, pacts and initiatives through the network of relevant
stakeholders;
- improving human capital, including reforms of education and training systems
and measures to increase participation in education and training throughout the
life-cycle.
2. Implementation provisions and modalities
Operational programmes for 2007-2013 have been adopted - or are about to be
adopted before the end of the year. This means that in the near future Member
States and regions – if they have not done so already – will need to take steps
to put transnational cooperation into action. The following points were
highlighted:
- eligibility rules need to be flexible to cater for the unexpected;
- ESF support should cover all types of activities (exchange of experience,
mobility of people, collaboration);
- calls for proposals and the selection of beneficiaries should be organised
in a flexible way to take account of the fact that beneficiaries need a
partner/partners in another Member State;
- where programme management functions have been delegated to intermediate
bodies, specific guidance for these will be needed;
- implementation modalities tailored to the needs and opportunities of specific
themes may be more effective than the uniform implementation of provision across all
themes covered in an OP.
3. Roles of contact points
Contact points exchanged their plans and ideas in small groups and agreed
that they, and the staff providing transnational support, would act as
contact and liaison points for requests from other members of the network, would
support the relevant ESF management teams at all levels, and advise and support
applicants and beneficiaries in making transnational exchange and cooperation
work.
4. A communication platform for contact points
Managed by a community of practice, a common communication platform for
contact points and other ESF managers has
been established (www.transnationality.eu).
This web-based communication platform facilitates exchange of information,
concerns, events, practices and implementation provision, and relevant
information for cooperation between ESF bodies.
5. Information and partner search toolkit for applicants and beneficiaries
Contact points have identified their needs and will contribute to the
requirements for a user-friendly IT tool which will support applicants,
beneficiaries and the wider public in searching for suitable transnational
partners, transnational events funded under the ESF, and for activities and
results of transnational networks. They expressed their willingness and
readiness to contribute to the establishment of a common toolkit for sharing
relevant information at the level of activities and competencies, in particular
by participating in the planning and testing of the toolkit, promoting its use
throughout all stages of the project cycle, supporting its continuous
improvement, and using it themselves for monitoring transnational activities.
- Summary of main results
- Orientation note and action plan
- Presentation "Sharing information to facilitate
transnational activities"
- Presentation "EU wide exchange and learning platforms
under the ESF 2007-2013"
- Presentation "Implementation provisions"
- Presentation "Why a CoP on transnational exchange and
cooperation?"
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