BACKGROUND
On the one hand, Member States had faced many similar economic, social and employment challenges in the context of a globalised economy. On the other hand, the diversity of policy experiences in EU28 had made the need visible for Member States to learn from each other about the most effective policy responses to the challenges as well as the best-suited approaches to diverse national contexts. Such processes can potentially contribute to improvements in capacity building, to the better enforcement of EU and national policies overall, and it can also result in better performing and more inclusive labour market and social protection systems across the EU. The project thus aimed also to help deliver the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and Social OMC.
AIMS
EU policy making in the area of employment and social affairs primarily takes place through intergovernmental coordination, which is based on mutual learning among Member States to foster greater policy convergence towards agreed EU policy objectives. Mutual learning is thus a key component of the European Semester and the Social OMC; it is therefore crucial to the success of the Europe 2020 Strategy. The mutual learning process implemented provided participants with a platform that enabled debates and critical thinking to arise beyond the aspect of information presentation thanks to the use of innovative methods to enhance learning.
METHODS
Mutual learning involves the exchange of experience and good practice around the full spectrum of the policy cycle, from planning and design to implementation and monitoring. This was achieved by establishing two broad levels of exchange:
- At the overall policy level, addressing the key conditions and requirements for policy change
- At the more practical and detailed level, addressing the opportunities and constraints for policy implementation taking into account national or regional differences
The project had developed a methodology for designing and organising events such as peer reviews, mutual learning workshops and mutual learning conferences to ensure that information provided – and the chances for mutual learning and dissemination created – supported the event participants (and the organisations they represent) in shaping their approaches in the fields of employment, social affairs and inclusion. In addition, scientific analytical support was provided in the form of compilations of existing information, drafting of thematic papers and in-depth analysis on topics identified by the European Commission when assessing stakeholders’ needs towards the mutual learning services.
ACTIVITIES/MILESTONES
Mutual learning was facilitated through different types of activities such as peer reviews, peer learning, policy learning conferences and events, working groups, expert groups, etc. Various formats such as peer reviews, mutual learning seminars and Conferences were used throughout the duration of the Framework Contract. The European Centre actively contributed to the following mutual learning events:
Peer reviews
- Peer review on ‘Competence Check for the Labour Market Integration of Female Refugees’ (Vienna, Austria, 26-27 June 2017)
- Peer review on ‘Single mothers facing poverty: Providing adequate financial, material and social support for sustainable social integration’ (Genk, Belgium, 5-6 October 2017)
- Peer review on ‘Social Protection Information Systems’ (Vilnius, Latvia, 23 November 2017)
- Peer review on ‘Germany’s latest reforms of the long-term care system’ (Berlin, Germany, 11-12 January 2018)
- Peer review on ‘Work-capacity assessment and employment of persons with disabilities’ (Riga, Latvia, 26-27 April 2018)
- Peer review on ‘Way to work – strengthening the links between active labour market policy measures and social support services’ (Vilnius, Lithuania, 11-12 June 2018)
- Peer Review on ‘The efficient transposition, implementation and enforcement of EU OSH legislation’ (Copenhagen, Denmark, 19-20 June 2018)
- Peer Review on ‘Homelessness from a child’s perspective’ (Brussels, Belgium, 27-28 June 2018)
- Peer Review on ‘Improving reconciliation of work and long-term care’ (Berlin, Germany, 24-25 September 2018)
- Peer Review on ‘The organisation, outcomes and effectiveness of social dialogue’ (Brussels, Belgium, 23-24 October 2018)
- Peer Review on ‘Ensuring adequate assistance for those most in need (Minimum Income)’ (Vilnius, Lithuania, 7-8 February 2019)
- Peer Review on 'Strategies for supporting social inclusion at older age' (Berlin, Germany, 23-24 September 2019)
- Peer Review on 'Access to social assistance and rights for homeless people' (Brussels, Belgium, 3-4 October 2019)
- Peer Review on 'Entrepreneurship training for the unemployed' (Vienna, Austria, 24-25 October 2019)
- Peer Review on 'Platform work' (online; 12-14 October 2020)
- Peer Review on ' Employer service delivery' (online; 26-28 October 2020)
- Peer Review on 'Peer review on work-life balance and gender equality' (online, 3-4 December 2020)
- Peer Review on 'Control and prevention of undeclared work in complex chains of economic activity (online, 4-5 May 2021)
- Peer Review on 'Furthering quality and accessibility of Foster Care Service in Croatia' (online, 20-21 May 2021)
Mutual Learning Events
- Seminar on ‘Work 4.0 - digitalisation of the labour market’ (Prague, Czech Republic, 28 February 2018)
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Capacity-building Seminars on Deinstitutionalisation
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Mutual Learning Workshops on Long-term Care
- 'Taking stock of EU action in the area of long-term care’ (Brussels, Belgium, 29 January 2019)
- ‘Measuring long-term care: access, quality and sustainability’ (Brussels, Belgium, 7-8 March 2019)
- ‘Training, recruiting and retaining the long-term care workforce’ (Brussels, Belgium, 1-2 April 2019)
- 'Addressing long-term care challenges' (Brussels, Belgium, 13 and 14 May 2019)
- 'Addressing long-term care challenges: a way forward' (Brussels, Belgium, 13 June 2019)
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Scientific Analytical Support
- Country reviews: Performance of EU candidate countries regarding European Pillar of Social Rights
