As part of its Bridging (BB) function and as a follow-up to the successful Bridge Building Peer Reviews and Trainings - Mutual Learning Activities in BB countries project, the European Centre organises 1-2 BB Peer Reviews per year. These mutual learning activities build on the established cooperation with stakeholders in eleven EU accession countries, potential EU accession countries and Eastern Partnership countries (BB countries). Among other things, the European Centre with the support of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the respective ministries in the BB countries. Through regular exchanges between the European Centre and the ministries, the need for research-based and policy-relevant knowledge on social policy is constantly expressed.The creation of a fruitful and reflective learning environment between officials from the respective ministries was crucial for successful mutual learning events, according to the project evaluation. The National Liaison Officers (NLOs) of the European Centre in the BB countries, i.e. intermediaries who represent both the interests of their countries within the European Centre and those of the European Centre in their countries, played a central role.
By implementing mutual learning activities in the BB countries, the European Centre responds to the countries' needs in the field of social welfare and aims to strengthen the countries' social, employment and health systems.
Partners in the BB countries include
The following mutual learning events were carried out:
BB Peer Review in Social Welfare: Fighting Undeclared Work (Upon request from the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers of the Republic of Kosovo, 5-6 December 2024 (online)
Depending on the topic of the peer or policy review the composition of the European Centre team varies.
