European Commission 1 Luca PIROZZI – European Commission - DG EMPL – Unit E2 Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit E2 1 The PROGRESS Programme and the instruments and actors of European policies for social inclusion Visegrad Platform Visit 2 nd July Brussels

European Commission 2 Outline of the presentation  Social Policies: the role of Europe …  The PROGRESS Programme  The National Strategy Reports and the role of the EU networks

European Commission 3 Social Policies: the role of Europe …

European Commission 4 ... in employment and social areas...  Main responsibility lies with the Member States -> subsidiarity  So… what is the role of the EU in these areas?... a limited competence...

European Commission 5 support to MSs in meeting commitments or converging towards EU objectives by:  Implementing & following-up EU objectives into national policies  Monitoring & evaluating application of EU legislation and policies  Promoting co-operation/coordination between MSs and with civil society  Encouraging policy ambitions and commitment  Strengthening governance & encourage “ownership” Stronger links between EU & national, regional and local levels Active participation of all stakeholders  Increasing comprehension & awareness + exchanges (PROGRESS)  Mainstreaming (Lisbon & SDS) + strengthening links with Structural Funds A catalyst for change

European Commission 6 The tools “strategically” complementary tools : Legislation (art. 13 & art. 138) Policy Co-ordination (Open Method of Co-ordination) European social dialogue European Social Fund Other financial tools directly managed by the Commission

European Commission 7 OMC: key elements National Strategy Reports Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion Common Objectives & policy priorities Commonly agreed indicators PROGRESS

European Commission 8 The PROGRESS Programme

European Commission 9 PROGRESS: a tool for … 1.Contributing to the strategic goals of creating more and better jobs and offering equal opportunities for all 2.Using the possibilities offered by an integrated programme –new possibilities to improve policy coherence and efficiency through cross-cutting work –at the same time, taking account of the specificities of each policy section 3.Establishing strong partnerships and increasing public trust –success and impact will depend on establishment of partnerships with MSs & stakeholders, including social partners & civil society –essential to take account of concerns & aspirations of EU citizens

European Commission 10 Sections under the Programme 1.Employment (art ) Linked to the European Employment Strategy 2.Social protection and inclusion (art.137) Linked to Open Method of Coordination 3.Working conditions (art.137) Labour law, restructuring & anticipating change, strategy on health & safety at work 4.Antidiscrimination & diversity (art.13) Principle of non-discrimination and mainstreaming of the principle into all EU policies 5.Gender equality (art.2; art.13; art. 141) Principle of gender equality and mainstreaming of the principle into all EU policies

European Commission Design evidence-based EU policies & legislation availability of reliable information and quality analysis is instrumental in informing policy development –Innovative methodologies to monitor labour markets; statistics & indicators on employment-related issues (cooperation with Eurostat + CEDEFOP) ; data & statistical tools on occupational accidents and diseases; implementation of UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities; promote cooperation with international organisations or third countries Social inclusion: –effectiveness of policies on housing and homelessness to promote social cohesion; stakeholders' involvement in implementation of the social inclusion process; description, comparison & analysis on social impact assessment tools

European Commission Effective information sharing & learning support exchanges of good practices, mutual learning activities and transfer of knowledge at national & EU levels –setting-up of relevant observatories, networks of specialised bodies foreseen under EC legislation, networks of national experts and organisation of mutual learning activities; Reconciliation of work, private and family life; cooperation with third countries on globalisation; Equal participation of women and men in decision-making Social inclusion: –Peer review seminars + national experts –Monitoring developments at national level as regards poverty and social exclusion

European Commission 13 3.Better integration of cross- cutting issues integrated nature gives possibility of increasing coherence and relevance of EU policies & legislation in PROGRESS areas several cross-cutting studies (i.e. promoting integration of migrants in labour market & society) improving knowledge and understanding of application of EU legislation in MSs & promoting co-operation with MSs and other stakeholders (social partners, NGOs, judges, lawyers, experts) support to key EU networks Communication strategy covering 5 areas

European Commission 14 4.Greater capacity networks to promote and develop policies & objectives promoting involvement of civil society, in particular through financial support to key EU-level networks networks active in fight against discrimination, integration of disabled people, defence of the Roma people rights, promotion of gender equality, fight against social exclusion but also Network of women in decision-making Network of national equality bodies in non-discrimination field Network of local observatories on active inclusion

European Commission 15 5.Promoting high-quality and participatory policy debate at EU & national levels EU policy initiatives need to benefit from broad-based support at both EU and national levels –organisation of high-quality, inclusive & participatory policy debates –EU-level media campaign on concrete benefits of EU policies –Promotion of debates on social inclusion and social protection, in support of the reinforcement of the social OMC –Forums such as the Round Table on Poverty and Social Exclusion, the annual meeting of People Experiencing Poverty

European Commission 16 The role of the EU networks

European Commission 17 … a strategic partnership …  EU networks play a key role in representing, promoting & defending rights/interests of their constituencies at EU level -> an important contribution to make in context of the OMC  2007 PROGRESS Call for proposals launched with a view to selecting EU-level networks to work with Commission and receive EC support on stable/regular basis for  Framework partnerships concluded with key actors in the areas of: combating poverty & social exclusion/discrimination; promoting gender equality & integration of disabled people; representing Roma people  In area of combating poverty/exclusion -> 12 networks, including Eurodiaconia

European Commission 18 National Strategy Reports Guidance note adopted by the SPC on 5 February 2008 after consultation of stakeholders Insistence on stakeholder involvement in preparation + through all stages of policy cycle Submission: by 15 th Sept  if additional time is needed for political endorsement, no later than 30 th Sept NAPs/incl.: –Suggested new focus: social integration of migrants & ethnic minorities would justify more attention –But MSs should determine their own priorities on the basis of evaluation of progress & challenges that were identified –EY2010 for combating poverty and social inclusion is announced –Targets should be set –Reference to recommendations of the ISG Task-force on child poverty

European Commission 19 Social inclusion networks & NRS/SPSI promote involvement and active role of national member organisations in developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating ensure that these take account of the experience of people exposed to poverty develop/reinforce contacts & cooperation with public officials support Commission’s analysis including through contacts with the independent social inclusion experts -> encouraged to take account of key stakeholders’ views in their countries esp. national members of EU Networks

European Commission 20 A.Preparation process a real strategic planning process or just a reporting exercise? integration with key national policy making processes extent and depth of consultations with stakeholders –improvements in consultation and participatory approaches –arrangements for involving stakeholders on an ongoing basis in implementation, monitoring and evaluation of plans involvement of regional/local levels of governance extent of public and political discussion (e.g. National Parliaments, media)

European Commission 21 B.Overall strategic approach –overall assessment of strengths / weaknesses –extent of progress since last round –consistency and continuity of priorities –increase in ambition –clear allocation of resources and responsibility –synergies with other strands –clarity of overall objectives and targets –extent of feeding in and feeding out and quality of examples –quality of monitoring and evaluation arrangements (institutional arrangements; involvement of relevant actors; relevance of indicators; impact assessment; independent assessment) –progress on governance arrangements (political leadership & responsibility; mainstreaming and coordination; mobilisation and involvement of actors; progress in involving regional/local authorities)

European Commission 22 Thank you for your attention For more information