Using PCM to improve the effectiveness and coherence of the Lithuanian EQUAL Programme Neringa POSKUTE ESF Agency, LITHUANIA Open Days, October 10, 2006, Brussels

How did we start? (1) The scope of action for innovations under each thematic priority in our Operational Programme for EQUAL described. Main problems in relation to the labour market and indicated possible activities that could be funded under EQUAL presented.

How did we start? (2) A structured problem assessment was made for the following reasons: to identify and create a common understanding of all issues related to a particular field of action, or theme; to assist Development Partnerships in their own strategy building, to ensure that their developments are in line with the CIP; necessity of a simple tool that would allow us to map the focus of innovation of the selected Development Partnerships.

How did we do it? (1) EQUAL management teams in the Ministry and in the National Support Structure got familiar with PCM. We used an external facilitator: a seminar for the National Support Structure and Ministry staff.

Problems of integration of drug addicts into social and professional life Current rehabilitation programmes and centres do not satisfy the needs In some regions there are no rehabilitation centres There is no gradual (multi- step) assistance programme for drug addicts Low quality social environment Failure to restore physical, psychological, emotional and social status of drug addicts Problems to complete the educational process Drug addicts frequently fail to complete rehabilitation course Inadequate encouragement of employers to hire persons with disabilities Educational system is not adapted to the needs of drug addicts Social partners are weak to provide support Lack of qualifications, skills and working experience Lack of innovative ideas, methods, approaches, models in mainstream policy Often drug addicts suffer from incurable diseases Lack of professional help to live with incurable diseases Staff of rehabilitation centres needs improved knowledge and skills Lower productivity of labour of drug addicts

How did we did it? (2) We have requested from all Development Partnership to apply the PCM methodology in the planning phase. We have supported the application of PCM by all Development Partnerships by providing them with the same teams of facilitators with whom we did the problem tree analysis at programme level.

A problem tree at Programme level Direct or indirect discrimination in the labour market Closed nature of certain ethnic communities Differences in terms of the level of educational attainment Lack of innovative ideas, methods, approaches, models in mainstream policy Entrenched stereotypes of the employers National intolerance Cultural differences The social partners are not strong enough to overcome stereotypes Deficiencies in educational, system, family attitude Lack of fluency in Lithuanian language Cases promoting intolerance in the media The main problems of the ethnic minorities on the labour market

A problem tree of a DP The main problems of the ethnic minorities on the labour market Difficulties of (re-)integration in to the labour market Closed nature of certain ethnic communities Differences in terms of the level of educational attainment Lack of innovative ideas, methods, approaches, models in mainstream policy Negative employers stereotypes National intolerance Cultural differences The social partners are not strong enough to overcome stereotypes Deficiencies in educational, system, family attitude Lack of fluency in Lithuanian language Cases promoting intolerance in the media Lack of appropriate qualification Insufficie nt educatio n Lack of motivation

What support did we give initially? Trained the EQUAL team (Managing Authority and National Support Structure in understanding the PCM method); Translated of the EQUAL toolkit (simplified version) into Lithuanian. Assisted all Development Partnerships in applying the method by training facilitators for PCM; Established an internet consultancy managed by the national facilitator.

What benefits did we have from this investment? (1) It helped us, the programme managers, to better understand the specific social factors, and the cause-effect relations, which we intend to tackle in our EQUAL programme. It facilitated the assessment of the initial project applications by the evaluation panel. Helped the Development Partnerships in their planning phase through better understanding each others initial problem perceptions, and to agree on a common problem view.

What benefits did we have from this investment? (2) It facilitated collaboration in defining feasible objectives and milestones, and in ensuring that the right partners are involved. The requirement to establish a self-assessment process based on the logframe approach included the definition of indicators achievements. Coherence between programme objectives and scope and the activities of the projects.

What are the next steps? A comparison of the problem trees and the corresponding solution trees at programme level with those of the Development Partnerships. Mapping exactly where we can expect innovative results.

Objectives tree, eg. The main problems of the ethnic minorities on the labour market Difficulties to (re-) enter the labour market Weaknesses in scholarship and ddifferences in terms of the level of educational attainment Lack of innovative ideas, methods, approaches, models in mainstream policy Round table discussions; identification of work places, development of tourism, articles in the press Informational publications and publication about Roma), round table discussions with authorities and media Cultural difference s Deficienci es in education al system, family attitude Lithuanian language courses Publication, publication of booklets, articles Trainings, re-qualification, working skills development through practical activities, cultivation of sense of enterprise, vocational orientation Insufficien t education Courses on employability and search for work, motivation through publication, motivation and discussions, 6 month support after the finding of a job Trainings for staff working with Roma, re- qualification, competence building and work with NGOs Development of Roma social skills, changing their attitude towards the society

Thank you for your attention!