1. Common Voice Network Tools for EU- level lobbying Some experiences Luk Zelderloo, EASPD Secretary General 19 th – 20 th March 2009

2. Content 1.Scene setting information 2.The new State Aid Regulation 3.Critical remarks 4.Conclusions 5.Lessons learned CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

3. Scene setting information Un Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilties: Art. 27 – Work and Employment EU Action Plan on disability: Accessibility of the labour market Council of Europe Action Plan: Action Line 5: Employment, vocational guidance and training CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

4. Scene setting information Employment on the open labor market… but … Vocational training and life long learning Reasonable accommodation & accessibility of the labour market CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

5. Scene setting information Observations: Today not more persons with disabilities on the labor market then 10 years ago 2.5 million persons with disabilities employed in a protecting environment Strong focus on supported employment CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

6. State Aid Regulation and GBER State Aid: Range of regulations and measures regulating the internal market to prevent distortion of this internal market General Block Exception Regulation: Gives automatic approval of aid measures to allow Members States to grant such aid without first notifying the Commission. CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

7. Key problems Fair competition All disability related costs taken into consideration? Disability is not static New types of Services CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

8. Achievements All costs elements are eligible: –Loss in production –Adaptation of the work place –Adaptation of the working environment –Specific training & support –Transport The type of setting is irrelevant (sheltered or open labour market) CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

9. Achievements Supported employment services & support are not in conflict with the competition rules Temporary labor & part time labor are possible now CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

10. Critical remarks How will member states implement the new State Aid regulation? The scope of the regulation: app activities having and economic impact. CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

11. Critical remarks Persons with high dependency needs? State Aid is limited to 75 %! CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

12. Critical remarks Member States have difficulties with defining who is disabled or disadvantaged Disabled: ongoing support allowed Disadvantaged: only one year of support allowed CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

13. Conclusions 1.The sector was involved 2.Important improvement: GBER is better than BER 3.Room for improvement when aiming at high employment rates 4.Key questions: how will member states implement it! CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

14. Lessons learned 1.Understand and respect the perspective of the other: go for win – win 2.Look at the details … and the final version 3.Open the debate again and again … 4.Bring in data and proofs 5.Personal contacts! 6.Create a positive environment CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

15. Lessons learned 7.(Do not) Respect communication lines 8.Look for partners 9.An agreement … when OK on all details 10.Avoid rigid positions 11.There always is a next oppotunity… 12.Create common ground and agreement on key principles CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

16. Advice START LOBBYING!!! CVN project 19 th - 20 th March 2009

17. EASPD Av. d’Auderghem 63 / Oudergemlaan B – 1040 Brussels Tel +32 2 282 46 10 – Fax +32 2 230 72 33 www.easpd.eu - info@easpd.eu Thank you