1. Transnational work – Challenge? Waste? The future way? Overview Introduction Transnational co-operation Transnational work within a national development Partnership Lessons learned

2. Introduction Experiences from two transnational Equal partnerships: 1. The X Train (1 st round) 2. STEPS (ongoing) www.equal-steps.com Annika Bodelius, Sweden National and transnational coordinator Diversity Faces & Equally Different www.likaolika.com Lead partner Equally Different: Östsam Regional Development Council www.ostsam.se

3. Transnational co-operation Finding our partners - a coordinators diary… January 2005 -DP discussions about transnational partner profiles. -ECDB Database, e-mail, participation at UK EQUAL launch event, personal contacts in Scotland. -Ongoing discussions with several potential partners. One Czech and one Hungarian project interesting. Must set up a meeting to find out. February 2005 -Meeting in Scotland with the Hungarian project. Agreed to continue. -TCA writer for each partner.Time schedule and responsibilities (homework) in writing TCA agreed. Timetable for next meetings decided. -Two more weeks to find the fourth partner.

4. Transnational co-operation Finding our partners - a coordinators diary… March 2005 -We might have found our fourth partner – a French project. They need to come to Budapest with very short notice. -Meeting in Budapest, putting budget and TCA together. -The French are in! Still procedures and formalities with validation and approvals but at last the STEPS partnership is founded. Now its time to start working!

5. Transnational co-operation Preparation phase (Action 1) Reflections & Experiences Action 1 is very short for finding the right partners, create interest from own DP, getting to know your new TN partners well enough to sign up for two years together. What might help? Thematic meetings/launch events arranged by ESF- Brussels, announced good time in advance. Time allocated for just getting to know each other, to understand one another's projects, DPs etc. To build for trust and understanding. TN-experienced process leader who helps possible partners during the TCA-writing period. Asking the right questions, reasonable level of aims, activities etc.

6. Transnational co-operation Organization COOL – Scotland Equippage – France Equally Different – Sweden Equal Chance on the labour Market – Hungary Overall aim is to engage and support non-traditional learners in a lifelong learning perspective. Project period: July 2005 – June 2007 Transnational budget: 100 000 /partner Steering group (SG): 2-3 SG members/partner. 8 SG meetings. Evaluation team: 1 evaluator/partner Thematic involvement from national DPs (all levels: practitioners, politicians, beneficiaries etc.)

7. Rotating coordination Rotating chairmanship Evaluation-team (1 evaluator/partner) Supporting documents developed and agreed at early stage of the project. Collected in our Communications Strategy: - Schedule of meetings & preparation for all meetings - Standard agenda - Minutes & Action plan - Personal Reflections template - Evaluation questionnaire - Transnational partner update (every quarter) Transnational co-operation Organization and supporting documents

8. Equally Different Partners: A regional project based on a regional partnership with 11 partners that covers vital areas of the society and working life in the region. Aim: To contribute to lower the youth-unemployment in our region Östergötland. To influence and change hindering structures. This will be done by cooperation and more effective use of resources. Subprojects: 14 pilot projects going on. (more info in the Subprojects leaflet) Transnational work within a national Developing Partnership

9. Involvement and a wide horizon - Equally Differents way of doing it Fundamental in our TN work is to create a high degree of involvement at operative level as well as policy level. We also involve our beneficiaries – the unemployed young people. We think its real diversity when politicians, lead persons, practitioners and beneficiaries work, travel, and share same experiences. Strengthen our national work and DP. Were using experts from our TN-partners to influence the work were doing at home on a regional level. Some examples: Mentoring seminar, EU-Pathway- seminar for politicians, student counsellor shadowing, Environmental development seminar

10. Lessons learned Key-factors that can turn into problems… Language and comprehension (are we talking about the same thing?…) Cultural differences Lack of transnational experiences Weak interest and support from national project Ambitions/goals and expectations National Managing Authorities interpret ESF-regulations differently Evaluation Time, Patience, Passion!

11. Lessons learned Added value - reasons for keeping on… Learning & Influences - on structural level - on organizational level - on personal level Empowerment & personal development Power and credibility to the work of national DPs Contacts & networks Taking part in the transnational work hasnt changed my every-day work, but has definitely broaden the area from where I can find impulses and ideas to develop my work. (Reflections from a Swedish participant)

12. Thanks for your attention!