Social innovation in ESF TÓTH Gábor DG EMPL, E1 – ESF Policy and Legislation ESF TWG, Brussels, 24 April 2013
Rationale for the guide Political context Social objectives of Europe 2020 vs Constrained budgets Need for smarter social investments: social innovation Social Investment Package New theme At the same time Shifting focus on internal guides – thus no consultation on the guide Altering provisions in the regulations – thus not too detailed technical treatment on the programming provisions
Definition and ESF approach Broad definition Social needs Social means Effectiveness, efficiency Selectivity criterion: effectiveness or efficiency ESF focus Testing and Up-scaling Both are integral to social innovation by ESF.
Focus on change Impact: change in policy or policy approach Relevancy: innovative activities which bring systematical change "…enhance society's capacity to act" ESF: testing and up-scaling One method for testing and up-scaling: social experimentation.
Strategic choice In which areas is this change (most) necessary? Focus social innovation on those areas Identification of themes for social innovation
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