As part of its Bridging (BB) Function, the European Centre has established collaboration agreements with relevant stakeholders in eleven EU accession countries, potential EU accession countries, and Eastern Partnership countries (BB countries). With the support of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection, there is regular exchange on needs for research-based and policy-relevant knowledge on social policy. By implementing mutual learning activities in the BB countries, the European Centre provided answers to countries’ needs related to coping with the health and social consequences of COVID-19, to combat poverty, and to develop the quality of social services, including de-institutionalisation and gender equality. 

The project reached a total of 535 individuals in 11 Mutual Learning events. 79,25% of participants were women.

Learn more about the outcomes of the project:

• Infographic: Evaluation findings – BB Peer Reviews and Trainings project

• Policy brief: Mutual learning in social welfare in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership region

• Policy Review Report: Policy measures to mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on vulnerable groups

• Report: Implementation of the partnership principle in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership countries

• Peer Review Report: Deinstutionalisation of children and persons with disabilities

• Policy Review Report: Gender equality and care for relatives

• Policy Review Report: Monitoring and evaluation of social protection programmes

• Peer Review Report: Social Assistance Benefit - The design of the social assistance benefit in Moldova: Improving targeting and supporting employment

• Peer Review Report: The integrated policy approach applied for vulnerable groups of society with the AIIP of the Republic of Kosovo