1. How the ESF supports implementation of the New Skills Agenda?
Costas VOYIATZIS
DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Evaluation and Impact Assessment Unit
ESF Committee Plenary session, 19 April 2018, Brussels

2. Report on New Skills Agenda (i)
The European Commission’s flagship initiative to strengthen the development of human capital in the EU
The NSA differs from previous initiatives in that:
it looks at skills from a new angle: i.e. the focus on competitiveness / emphasis on digital skills
aims to upgrading existing measures (e.g. EQF; the Blueprint for sectoral cooperation on skills, etc.)
stresses the need to improve basic skills

3. Report on New Skills Agenda (ii)
To what extent is the ESF likely to contribute to achieving the main challenges/development needs in terms of skills development?
Methodology
Focus on Upskilling Pathways
Key findings
Recommendations

4. Report on New Skills Agenda (iii)
Methodology
Desk research
Field research (e-survey and interviews)
Triangulation
Focus on Upskilling Pathways-why?

5. Key findings (i) ESF already supporting activities relevant to NSA
Little evidence that MS/MA adapting ESF implementation to NSA
ESF flexible and could accommodate changes without resorting to renegotiation
Stronger result-orientation and tight financial allocations might limit the flexibility

6. Key findings (ii)
Substantial potential for ESF to support actions under NSA
Relatively little to report on actions supported by the ESF
Understanding the actions under NSA and how can be taken up by ESF
NSA is specific and its strategies but less clear the actions that need to be undertaken in support

7. Recommendations (i) How to better design future EU initiatives?
a) More information and guidance
Clear signposting of MAs role
Clearer overview of the governance structure at MS level (= better monitoring and follow up)
Annual Review Meeting, Ex Ante Conditionalities?

8. Recommendations (ii)
b) New initiatives and flexibility of ESF Programming
“Financial reserve” used to adapt OPs to new needs
Youth Guarantee might provide a good example

9. Recommendations (iii)
c) Monitoring and evaluation
Keep track contribution of ESF to the new initiatives
Use already existing monitoring and evaluation provisions
Encourage MAs and MS to report on elated achievements in Annual Implementation Reports or Progress Reports
Encourage MAs and MS to implement thematic evaluations

10. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION