News: Expert-level Workshop in the Western Balkans: 29-31 January 2018, Belgrade

The European Centre commissioned by the UNDP conducted an expert-level Workshop regarding 'Integrated case management in the Western Balkans'. During the 3-days lasting workshop in Belgrade (29 January - 31 January 2018), the European Centre informed on user-centred approaches for vulnerable and hard-to-employ groups (for public employment and social welfare services). To achieving inclusive labour markets that leave no one behind, the European Centre created a mutual learning and collective rethinking environment for policymakers and civil servants. The workshop showcased good practices and common trends on service delivery in the region and it contributed to the following outcomes:

• It enabled national policymakers to collectively think and envisage macro (policy), meso (organizational) and micro (beneficiary) level implications of potential case management practices in their own countries.
• It stimulated practical ideas concerning partnership modalities that will ensure effective and efficient implementation of case management and of local inclusive labour markets vision at large.
• It ensured convergence towards EU and global good practice enhanced through peer learning and support.
• It instigated cross-country policy dialogue to help innovate applications to tackle the employment of vulnerable groups and foster inclusive labour markets.