1 Transnational Partner Search Toolkit Transnationality Contact Points Meeting 30 September Warsaw

2 Purpose of the Toolkit Facilitate exchange of information on suitable transnational partners, transnational events funded under the ESF, and activities and results of transnational networks. It is the starting point for finding transnational partners. When fully operational it will also assist ESF managers in monitoring transnational activities.

3 Guiding principles The development of the Toolkit has taken into account the Guiding principles formulated in the Commission’s document “Sharing information to facilitate transnational activities under the ESF ” of Sept and the further specifications laid down by the Steering Group.

4 Two development Phases Phase 1: support the early stages of transnational work by providing factual information and references to relevant information sources: past and current (transnational) activities funded under the ESF, and transferable results from these activities. THIS PHASE HAS BEEN COMPLETED

5 Two development Phases Phase 2: broaden the scope of information sharing functionalities (good practice search, expert search, event search) and support monitoring and evaluation by ESF managers. THIS PHASE WILL COMMENCE SHORTLY NEEDS FURTHER INPUT

6 Phase 1 developments a public area, which allows the general public (non registered users) to access basic data about the OPs in the member States (data from and search for products which registered users have described during registration; an intranet for the exclusive use of registered users.

7 Intranet functionalities The intranet includes functionalities which allow registered users to perform the following tasks: create the organization’s profile (what it does and how others can get in touch with it); provide details about one’s past transnational work (participation in past programmes); provide details about the outputs produced in the past, which one is willing to share; provide details of intended transnational activities (the characteristics of the partnership being sought);

8 Intranet functionalities search the database for suitable partners either through a simple word search and / or more advanced search criteria and print the results; change one’s profile and modify any other data form; print one’s profile; change one’s password; unsubscribe. Where necessary, the functionalities are assisted by an online help.

9 Recent releases Since the 5-6 June 2008 meeting of Transnational Contact Points, the following functionalities have been released product search in the public area; partner search in the intranet; reports.

10 Product search This facility is available to the general public as well, to encourage dissemination of results. It is a text search (up to 10 words) concerning products for which registered users have provided details during registration. In the future, this area will also include products from other sources.

11 Partner search This is an intranet functionality, available only to registered users. Two search modes are available: full text search (up to ten words); advanced search.

12 Advanced partner search The advanced search mode includes the following criteria: Member State; type of organization; main type of activity of organization; programmes; main field of expertise of organization; target groups of transnational cooperation; participants according to status in the labour market, by age, by vulnerable groups; main type of transnational activity.

13 Overview of future developments Phase 2 developments include: uploading products and product descriptions from external sources (Equal web sites, etc.); connecting up with calendar of events in the transnationality.eu website; event search; good practice search; expert search;

14 Overview of future developments functionalities for ESF programme administrators to monitor supply and demand for TN cooperation; functionalities for ESF programme administrators to verify information related to actions supported under their OPs; statistical analyses of TN activities; improving technical features on the basis of input from users. ALL items need further input.

15 The added value of the Toolkit is highly dependent on the overall number of records in the database. The higher the number of organizations providing information about themselves, their products and their activities, the more efficient and helpful the system can be. Providing data

16 How can TCPs boost this tool? by disseminating the information about the Toolkit and its usefulness; by creating links to the Toolkit (through the banners provided by Technical support) on national websites; by referring to the Toolkit in calls and official documents.

17 Help desk For further information or assistance concerning the Toolkit, please contact the Technical support help desk: Phone: Fax: