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ISSN: 1682-7783
ISSUE N° 28 • February 2012
European Social Fund –
Investing in human capital for growth
EU economic governance
Population ageing
The European Commission’s magazine on employment and social affairs
EDITOrial
“The most urgent social matter”, is how European European Social Fund and other EU structural funds
Commission President José Manuel Barroso qualified (p.21); synergies across borders by identifying best
youth unemployment, in his September 2011 State practices which could also work elsewhere (p.20)
of the European Union address to the European and learning from each other (p.19); and of course,
Parliament. synergies between growth, employment and social
cohesion, placing them on an equal footing (p.9).
Less than four months later, the Commission put
forward a Youth Opportunities Initiative (YOI, see There is yet another crucial synergy that needs to be
p.14): a wake-up call for more partnership and achieved: that between young and old.
creativity in tackling youth unemployment here and
now, addressed to the political authorities, business 2012 is European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity
and trade unions at European, national, regional and between Generations (p.24). Indeed, Europe’s social
local level. This can be done immediately, in particular model depends both on the younger generations being
by refocusing existing programmes and resources, financially able to support Europe’s ageing population,
and quickly disseminating measures that are being and on older people being able to participate actively
experimented in different parts of the European Union in the labour market and in society at large for a longer
(EU) and are likely to period of time than is
succeed elsewhere. presently the case. The next
“Breaking divides issue of Social Agenda will
“Without decisive action devote its special feature to
at EU and national level, and creating synergies the European Year.
we risk losing this genera-
tion, with a very heavy
is the key” Misperceptions need to be
economic and social cost”, straightened out by facts,
emphasized European Commissioner László Andor when such as this one: those countries with higher employ-
he presented the YOI on 20 December 2011. Right now, ment rates among older people also have higher
the Commission is discussing its implementation with employment rates among younger workers. Conversely,
each EU Member State, as part of the preparation of the those countries with relatively low employment among
European Semester of economic governance (p.7). older people also tend to perform worse in creating
opportunities for young people.
Breaking divides and creating synergies is the key, not
just to promoting employment but also to safeguarding Breaking misperceptions and artificial divides is good
Europe’s social model: synergies between short term for the economy and for the well-being of individual
action such as the YOI and longer term structural action people.
such as cohesion policy, in the next phase which runs
from 2014 to 2020 (p.16); synergies between the Koos Richelle
Focus On:
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EU economic governance Human capital for growth Population ageing
Placing growth, employment and social Towards more synergies between EU 2012 is the European Year for Active
cohesion on an equal footing p. 7 structural and cohesion funds, includ- Ageing and Solidarity between
ing the social one p. 16 Generations p. 24
2 Social Agenda – February 2012
Contents
EU RO PE AN SE M ESTER
Strengthening EU economic governance 7
A quest for inclusive growth 9
How are you doing? - Eurobarometer survey 12
YO UTH E M PLOYM ENT
Boosting opportunities here and now 14
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SPECIAL FE ATU RE
Strengthening the social dimension of cohesion policy 16
ESF projects: making it happen 17
Paving the way for a cross-border youth employment policy 19
Transnational learning networks – a second batch of projects 20
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Growth and jobs strategy triggers future cohesion policy 21
EU RO PE AN YE AR
Should we be afraid of population ageing? 24
SO CIAL SECU RIT Y
Bridging the gap 25
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OTH ER VO ICES
Is Europe responding to the social crisis? 26
ITE M S
News in brief 4
Interview with Zoltan Kazatsay, Deputy Director General
of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Employment, 27
Social Affairs and Inclusion
© European Union
Recent publications 28
Useful websites 28
A magazine providing information on European employment and social policies, Social Agenda is published in English, French and German by the European
Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.
Editor in chief: Koos Richelle, Director-General, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion – European Commission, B-1049 Brussels
65,000 copies of this issue were published. Subscription is free on request – please contact: European Commission, Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG – InfoCentre,
B-1049 Brussels, Fax.: (32-2) 296 23 93; http://ec.europa.eu/social/contact
Notice: Neither the European Commission, nor any person acting on its behalf, may be held responsible for the use to which information contained in this publication may be
put, or for any errors which, despite careful preparation and checking, may appear. • © European Union, 2012
Non-commercial reproduction authorised, subject to acknowledgement of the source.
For any use or reproduction of photos which are not under European Union copyright, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holder(s).
© Cover illustrations: iStock
NEWS IN BRIEF
13 January 2012 – Europeans ready for ‘active ageing’, survey says
To mark the start of the 2012 European Year of Active on in their current job until they are 60. Around one
Ageing and Solidarity of Generations, the European quarter of Europeans (including those over 55) say they
Commission presented on 13 January 2012 a new are engaged in voluntary work. ❙■
Eurobarometer survey showing that 71 % of Europeans
are aware that Europe’s population is getting older, but
only 42 % are concerned about this development. For
most citizens, people aged 55 years and older play a
major role in key areas of society. Over 60 % believe
that we should be allowed to continue working after
retirement age and one third says that they would like to
work longer themselves. People closer to retirement are
more likely to share this view than the younger genera-
tion. The survey shows how definitions of ‘young’ and
‘old’ differ significantly across countries. Only one in
three Europeans agrees with the idea that the official
retirement age will have to be increased by 2030.
There is strong support (61 %) for the idea that people
should be allowed to continue working once they have
reached the official retirement age. 53 % reject the idea
of a compulsory retirement age, but there are huge
differences across Member States. Although the typical
pensionable age is 65 years, the average exit age from
the labour force in 2009 was about 61.5 years. 42 %
of Europeans believe that they will be capable of doing
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the work they are currently doing beyond the age of Definitions of “young” and “old” vary from
country to country, Eurobarometer survey shows
65, while 17 % expect that they will not be able to carry
20 December 2011 – EU calls
for immediate action to drive down youth unemployment
The new ‘Youth Opportunities Initiative’, adopted by leaving; helping youngsters develop skills relevant to the
the European Commission on 20 December 2011, calls labour market; ensuring work experience and on-the-
on Member States to work on preventing early school job training and helping young people find a first good
job. The Commission is also urging Member States
to make better use of the European Social Fund which
still has €30billion of funding uncommitted to projects.
In addition, the Commission put for ward a set of
concrete actions to be financed directly by EU funds. The
Commission will also make funds available for technical
assistance to help Member States make greater use of
available EU funding - especially the European Social
Fund (ESF). Against the backdrop of Europe’s persistent
jobless youth rate of 21 %, the Commission pleaded for
Member States, workers’ representatives and business
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Make better use of the European Social Fund to fight against youth
to join forces and take decisive action to tackle youth
unemployment- European Commission says to the Member States unemployment (see article p.14). ❙■
4 Social Agenda – February 2012
15 December 2011 –
New analysis shows employment
and social policies key
to Europe’s job-rich recovery
The first annual review of Employment and Social Develop-
ments in Europe (ESDE), published on 15 December 2011
by the European Commission, underlines that a mix of
employment and social policies is necessary to ensure a
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long-term job-rich recovery in the current climate of fiscal
consolidation and bleak economic outlook. Its findings
Poverty remains high with 115 million Europeans at risk of poverty or social exclusion
show how the economic crisis has aggravated Europe’s in 2010, first annual review of Employment and Social Developments in Europe shows
structural weaknesses such as income inequality and
the disappearance of medium-paid jobs, especially in in-work poverty. It shows in particular that, while inequality
manufacturing and construction. Poverty remains high with has decreased or grown only slightly in historically more
115 million Europeans (23 % of the EU population) at risk unequal countries (like Italy or Greece), it has increased
of poverty or social exclusion in 2010. The review also in many traditionally egalitarian Member States, such as
analyses labour mobility within Europe, monitors active Nordic countries, and the general trend remains upwards
ageing policies and draws attention to the problem of (see p.28). ❙■
29 November 2011 –
Social survey: doubt on end
of crisis and trust in EU’s ability
to make positive impact
A new Eurobarometer survey shows that more than a
third of European citizens currently working (35 %) are
concerned about losing their jobs. This proportion has
increased slightly since 2009 (+2 points). At a time when
Europe is experiencing grave economic challenges,
certain key social indicators show a large majority of
respondents feeling that the EU as a whole has taken a
backward step in recent times - with 71 % of Europeans
pessimistic about the chances that the economic crisis will
end soon and 87 % saying that poverty has increased
(more than in 2009). However, the general sense of gloom
about society as a whole – and about the chances of the
economic crisis ending quickly – has not translated into
a crisis of confidence when it comes to the way in which
most respondents view their own prospects. More people
in 2011 are confident that they will keep their job than in
2009, two-thirds remain confident that they will have a job
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in two years’ time, and over 60 % say that they would be
A third of Europeans currently working likely to find another job relatively quickly in the event of
are concerned about losing their jobs redundancy (see article p.12). ❙■
Social Agenda – February 2012 5
11 November 2011 - Report shows overall positive impact
of mobility of Bulgarian and Romanian workers on EU economy
A new report published by the European Commission Studies show too that there has been no significant
highlights the overall positive role that mobile workers impact on unemployment or wages of local workers in
from Bulgaria and Romania have played in receiving receiving countries: in the fifteen oldest Member States,
countries’ economies. These workers have contributed studies show wages are on average only 0.28 % lower
to the skills mix as well as filling vacancies in sectors they would have been without workers from Bulgaria
and jobs with labour shortages such as in construction and Romania. The report also highlights that there
and the domestic and food services sectors. Estimates is no evidence of a disproportionate use of benefits
also show a positive impact of the free movement of by intra-EU mobile EU citizens and that the impact of
Romanian and Bulgarian workers on the EU’s long-term recent flows on national public finances is negligible or
GDP with an increase by about 0.3 % for EU-27. positive. ❙■
31 October 2011 - € 3.9 million from European Globalisation Fund
to help 528 former construction workers in Italy
The European Commission proposed on 31 October The dismissals were a consequence of the financial
2011 to provide € 3.9 million of assistance from the and economic crisis, which resulted in a substan-
European Globalisation adjustment Fund (EGF) to tial fall in demand for new houses and house renova-
Italy. The funding, matched by € 2.1 million of national tion in this region where the construction sector is an
contribution, will help 528 redundant construction important employer. Of the total 643 workers made
workers from a number of mostly small enterprises in redundant, the 528 workers with the greatest difficulties
the two Italian provinces of Trentino and Bolzano, of re-integrating the labour market were targeted for
back into employment. The proposal then went to the assistance from the EGF. The package of EGF assistance
European Parliament and the EU’s Council of Ministers offers the workers one-to-one counselling and guidance;
for their approval. The Italian application related to skills assessment and outplacement; coaching; general
643 redundancies in 323 small and medium sized training and re-training; individual vocational training;
enterprises operating in the construction of buildings mentoring after reintegration into work and participa-
sector in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. tion and subsistence allowances. ❙■
6 October 2011 - Commission lays foundations
to boost impact of cohesion investments after 2013
the employability of over ten million people, co‑financing
the construction of over 2 000km of motorway and
4 000km of railway and setting up at least 800.000 Small
and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). To continue this
work in the future and strengthen the focus on European
economic priorities, the European Commission put forward
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on 6 October 2011 a legislative package for cohesion
policy for the period from 2014 until 2020. It is designed
800 000 small- and medium-sized enterprises were
set up in recent years thanks to EU cohesion funding to boost growth and jobs across Europe by targeting EU
investment on Europe’s Growth and Jobs Agenda (“Europe
EU cohesion policy has been a force for change over 2020”). The focus on fewer investment priorities in line with
the last ten years, making a genuine contribution to these objectives will be at the heart of the new Partner-
convergence and growth in the EU and directly creating ship Contracts, which Member States will agree with the
over one million jobs, investing in training to improve European Commission (see article p.16). ❙■
More news on European employment, social affairs and inclusion policy: http://europa.eu/rapid/search
6 Social Agenda – February 2012
European
Semester
Strengthening EU
economic governance
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The 2012 European Semester was launched in the midst of an ever deepening economic and social crisis
As the economic and social crisis deepens,
a series of proposals are on the table
S
ure, the European Semester - progress made on implementing the a financial assistance programme is
the process of bringing together Employment Guidelines in the EU as robust, follows clear procedures and
the discussion of EU Member a whole . We come back on the AGS is embedded in EU law.
States’ economic, fiscal and employ- and the Joint Employment Report in
ment policies within a clear time cycle, the next article.
every year, from January to June – is Stability bonds
not entirely new. Agreed in September Still on 23 November, the Commission
2010, it was implemented for the first Surveillance laws adopted a Green Paper (a consultative
time in 2011. Also on 23 November 2011, the policy orientation paper) on stability
European Commission put forward bonds, which analyses the potential
However, things are moving dramati- two laws designed to tighten benefits and challenges of three
cally fast and the second European economic and budgetary surveillance approaches to the joint insurance
Semester – the 2012 one - was in the euro area. of debt in the euro area. The paper
launched in the context of an ever sets out the likely effects of each of
deeper economic and social crisis. The first law is a Regulation (i.e. these approaches on Member States’
In turn, this context has given rise to a law directly applicable once funding costs, European financial
a host of initiatives and proposals to adopted by the EU) strengthening integration, financial market stability
deepen EU governance. surveillance of budgetary policies in and the global attractiveness of EU
the euro area. It would require that financial markets. It also considers the
the Member States concerned present risks of moral hazard posed by each
Annual Growth Survey their draft budgets at the same time approach, as well as its implications in
On 23 November 2011, the European each year and give the Commission terms of treaty change.
Commission launched the 2012 the right to assess and, if necessary,
European Semester by publishing its issue an opinion on them.
2012 Annual Growth Survey (AGS). Fiscal compact
It assesses the economic and employ- The second law is also a Regulation. On 9 December 2011, the European
ment situation in Europe and provides It would strengthen the economic Council (heads of State and govern-
guidance for priority action at EU and and fiscal surveillance of euro area ments) agreed to move towards
national levels. countries facing, or threatened with, a stronger economic union. The
serious financial instability. This Member States would negotiate a
The AGS also includes the Joint would ensure that the surveillance new fiscal rule, the “fiscal compact”,
Employment Report which assesses of the relevant Member States under which would contain an automatic
Social Agenda – February 2012 7
correction mechanism. The EU Court managed and accompanied by a set by the AGS, taking ownership
of Justice would verify the transpo- fair sharing of responsibilities, with and committing its implementa-
sition of this rule at national level. procedures in place for all eventu- tion at national level. In April/May,
The Member States in “excessive alities, including the use of financial Member States will submit their
deficit” procedure would submit to safety nets. National Reform Programmes (NRP)
the EU an economic partnership to the Commission, together with their
programme, the implementation of To this effect, a package of six new Stability or Convergence Programmes
which (and the yearly budgetary laws - the “Six-Pack” - came into force which deal with fiscal policy and
plans consistent with it) would be on 13 December 2011. where they set out their planned
monitored by the Commission and the reform measures to achieve the targets
Council. The Member States’ national The Six-Pack reinforces the Stability of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart,
debt insurance plans would also be and Growth Pact of 1997. From sustainable and inclusive growth.
monitored in advance at EU level. now on, a financial sanction can
be imposed by the EU Council of After an in-depth analysis of
In the European Council’s own words, Ministers on the basis of a Commission these programmes, the European
the “fiscal compact” represents “a recommendation upon a euro area Commission will recommend that
further qualitative move towards a Member State which does not respect the Council adopt concrete policy
genuine ‘fiscal stability union’ in the its budgetary balance obligations, recommendations applicable to each
euro area (…) which will rest on unless a qualified majority of Member Member State: the “Country Specific
an enhanced governance to foster States votes against it. This makes the Recommendations”. The EU Council of
fiscal discipline and deeper integra- enforcement of the rules stricter and Ministers will then discuss and adopt
tion in the internal market as well as more automatic. The Six-Pack also lays these recommendations, before they
stronger growth, enhanced competi- down new requirements for Member are endorsed by the European Council
tiveness and social cohesion”. States’ national budgetary frameworks. at the end of June.
When the European Semester is over,
Six-Pack Next steps the Member States will take into
Because the euro area Member States The next steps of the European account the guidance provided by
are particularly interdependent, Semester follow immediately as in the EU Council when drawing up the
additional measures were required to March, the European Council will following year’s budgets, in the second
ensure that shared risks are properly discuss and endorse the agenda half of 2012.
January February March April May June
Annual Assessment Recommendations
European Growth of NRPs to Member
Commission Survey (AGS) and CSPs States based
presented on NRPs and SCPs
Council AGS debated Throughout the year:
Recommendations Peer review of Member
of the ahead of to Member
States’ compliance with
European European States formally
Union Council adopted recommendations including
consideration of possible
AGS debated further reinforcement
European ahead of measures (Excessive Deficit
Parliament European Procedure / Excessive
Council Imbalance Procedure)
Endorsement Debate and Autumn:
European of reform endorsement of Governments present draft
priorities budget to national
Council for EU recommendations
Member States to Member States parliaments for debate in
line with established
National Reform Programmes mational practice
Member (NRPs) and Stability/
States Convergence Programmes
(SCPs) sent to Commission
The European Semester process takes place every year from January to June
8 Social Agenda – February 2012
A quest for inclusive growth
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We need to make sure that the growth which is being created is also translated into job creation
Focus on the social section
of the 2012 Annual Growth Survey
F
or the second year running, the when he presented the new AGS on the labour force. The implementa-
European Commission launches 23 November 2011. tion of balanced flexicurity policies
the European Semester by can help workers to move across
publishing its Annual Growth Survey The social dimension is stronger jobs and labour market situations.
(AGS). It is the basis for building the than in the 2011 AGS. The Commis- At the same time, the effect of
necessary common understanding sion calls for stepping up actions to demographic ageing is now acceler-
about the priorities for action at support a job-rich recovery, with a ating (…) and the prospect of a
national and EU level for the next particular focus on enhancing young stagnating/diminishing working age
twelve months, which should then people’s employment prospects. population is imminent in several
feed into national economic and The AGS also emphasizes the need Member States. The scope and pace
budgetary decisions. The AGS itself to address the increasing risk of of these changes create the risk of
is based on the analytical work social exclusion and poverty among a structural mismatch between the
contained in a draft Joint Employ- groups with no or limited links to the supply and demand for labour,
ment Report, the final version of labour market, such as pensioners which will hinder recover y and
which the Commission will adopt or vulnerable people dependent on long-term growth. While unemploy-
together with the Member States in social benefits (e.g. single parents). ment has been reaching high levels,
the course of 2012. the number of unfilled vacancies
“The crisis is precipitating major has also been increasing since
The key priority of the 2012 AGS is shifts across the economy”, states mid-2009. This situation results from
growth – i.e. smart, sustainable and the AGS, “with business undergoing inadequate wage conditions, lack of
inclusive growth, in keeping with the fast restructuring, many persons adequate skills or limited geographic
Europe 2020 strategy on growth moving in and out of employ- mobility”.
and jobs adopted by the EU in ment and working conditions being
2010. “We need to make sure that adjusted to changing environ-
the growth which is being created ments (…) A significant share of the Mobilising labour
is also translated into job creation”, population may not manage such The Member States should give
emphasised László Andor, European transitions. The share of long-term priority to revising wage-setting
Commissioner in charge of employ- unemployed has increased, with mechanisms and adapting
ment, social affairs and inclusion, risks of falling permanently outside unemployment benefits, combining
Social Agenda – February 2012 9
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The Member States are due to incorporate the Commission recommendations into the programmes they will present in Spring 2012
them with training and support better recognized across the EU and Business creation and self employ-
schemes to help people get back cooperation between public employ- ment, including social entrepre-
onto the labour market. Legal ment services should be strength- neurship, should be promoted.
obstacles to labour mobility should ened. Access to early retirement Sectors with the highest employ-
be removed. Professional qualifi- schemes should be restricted and ment potential (e.g. the low-carbon
cations and experience should be longer working lives encouraged. and resource-efficient economy, the
digital economy and the health and
Dangerous employment trends social sectors) should be developed.
The draft Joint Employment report put for ward by the European
Commission at the same time as the Annual Growth Sur vey, on
Supporting employment
23 November 2011, indicates that: Between 2008 and 2010, the
• The employment rate in the EU declined by 1.8 percentage point total number of young (under 25)
between 2008 and 2010. unemployed in the EU increased
by one million, making it one of
• The youth unemployment rate has increased from 15 to 21 % between
the groups that have been worst
2008 and 2010, while the share of 15-24 years old who are neither in
affected by the crisis. 40 % of
education, employment or training has risen by 2 %.
young employed persons work on
• The recent increases in employment levels have been mainly driven by temporary contracts and one out of
increases in temporary contracts and part-time jobs, in sharp contrast seven (14.4 %) currently leaves the
to before the crisis. education system with no more than
• The rebound of temporary jobs and part-time contracts are mainly lower secondary education without
benefiting prime-age workers and, to some extent, older workers. participating in further education
Women are slightly over-represented compared to men in both and training.
temporary and part-time work.
• Long-term unemployment is increasing across the EU. The share Social partners must commit to
of children and adults living in jobless households is significantly promoting quality apprenticeships,
worsening. traineeship contracts and entrepre-
neurial skills. Particular attention
• A simultaneous increase in vacancies in 2010 and 2011has had no
should be paid to a vocational
effect on unemployment. This points to increasing labour and skills
training dimension in ter tiar y
mismatches.
education systems, and to getting
10 Social Agenda – February 2012Other priority actions
The section of the Annual Growth Survey 2012 on “tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the
crisis” is only one of the five sections this survey contains. The others deal with:
• Fiscal consolidation taking account country specificities: restoring macro-financial stability primarily requires
that the fiscal consolidation continues, albeit at a differentiated pace to take into account each Member State’s
specific situation while prioritizing growth-friendly expenditure in areas such as education, research, innovation
and energy.
• Restoring normal lending to the economy: actions should be continued to reform the financial sector and
create conditions that will enable more normal lending patterns to business and private households.
• Promoting growth and competitiveness for today and tomorrow: large benefits can derive from fully
developing the potential of the EU digital economy, the internal market for services and external opportunities.
The EU’s structural funds should also be fully mobilized to support growth.
• The quality of public administrations: the AGS places a special emphasis on modernizing public
administrations at all levels of governance.
work experience. Excessive rigidi- tuition fees for tertiary education, exclusion, with acute health problems
ties of permanent contracts must accompanied by student loans and and homelessness in the most
be reduced. Protection and easier scholarship schemes or the use of extreme cases. Member States should
access to the labour market must public funds to leverage private give priority to further improving
be granted to those left outside, in investment. the effectiveness of social protec-
particular young people. tion systems and avoiding precipi-
tate withdrawal of past extensions
Education and training systems must Protecting the vulnerable of coverage and eligibility until job
be further adapted to reflect labour “The social tissue of the EU is being growth substantially resumes. They
market conditions and skills demand. put to the test”, states the AGS. “The should implement active inclusion
For instance, the number of informa- crisis has disproportionately hit those strategies encompassing labour
tion technology (IT) graduates has who were already vulnerable, and market activation measures and
not increased since 2008 and if this has created new categories of people adequate and affordable social
persists, the EU may lack 700 000 IT at risk of poverty. There are also services to prevent the marginalisa-
professionals by 2015. The quality clear signs of increases in the number tion of vulnerable groups. And they
and funding of the universities must of people at risk of income poverty, should ensure access to ser vices
be reviewed, e.g. by introducing notably child poverty, and social supporting integration in the labour
market and in society, including by
ensuring access to a basic payment
account, electricity supply to vulner-
able consumers and access to afford-
able housing”.
The Member States are due to
incorporate AGS 2012 into the
programmes they will present to the
Commission in the Spring, as part
of the European economic semester.
In the meantime, the Commission
calls upon the Member States to
step up their reform efforts in order
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to implement the commitments they
had made on the basis of AGS
2011, during the previous European
The social tissue of the European Union is being put to the test
Semester.
Social Agenda – February 2012 11How are you doing?
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Achieving real prosperity also means taking well-being into account when measuring progress
For three years now, the European Commission
has been measuring people’s well-being
in the face of the employment and social situation
“Putting growth, employment and 12.3 years with the same It then looks at the employment
social cohesion on an equal footing employer status of the respondents themselves,
is vital for Europe’s recovery”, László whether they are in work and how
Andor commented when the results The study begins by considering the long they tend to stay with the
of the third Eurobarometer survey of perceived impact of the economic same employer. The average time
the employment and social situation crisis on the job Market. It asks spent working for an employer has
were published in October 2011. respondents how concerned they are risen from 11.6 years in 2009 to
“Achieving real prosperity also about their own jobs and those of 12.3 years in 2011. On average,
means taking well-being into account their family members, and about how Europeans have changed jobs
when measuring our progress”, soon they expect the downturn to end. 3.2 times, marking no change from
added the European Commissioner in Nearly half (47 %) of all European the 2009 survey.
charge of employment, social affairs respondents are concerned that their
and inclusion. children might lose their jobs, though It goes on to look at the level of
concern about their own jobs or their public support for the EU’s promotion
Since 2009, the European Commission partners’ jobs is lower. of ‘flexicurity’ (a policy approach
has been monitoring European citizens’
perceptions of their own well-being
A quest for social justice
in the face of the employment and
social situation they are going through. Fairness and social justice in the EU have suffered as a consequence of
It is now therefore in a position to the economic crisis, according to 79 % of respondents. In line with this,
chart the evolution in respondents’ 83 % of the respondents think that the burden of public spending cuts
opinions over the last two years. and other austerity measures has affected some people more than others
This is particularly useful in gauging in their country. 87 % of people think that poverty has increased over the
whether Europeans feel more or less last three years (+3points since September 2010), and only 22 % think
confident today about their employ- that enough is being done to address this.
ment prospects than they did in 2009.
12 Social Agenda – February 2012A need for better
information
The latest employment and social
eurobarometer survey reveals that
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there is a general appetite for
better information about the future
job market: 57-58 % would like
to receive information that would
help them decide what training
courses to take, and what jobs
to apply for in the future. Over
a third of the respondents (36 %)
say spontaneously that they did
not receive any careers guidance
Putting growth, employment and social cohesion on an equal footing is vital for Europe’s recovery
at school; a third (33 %) say that
careers guidance helped them to
acquire the skills they needed for a third would apply for the same kind A third of respondents (34 %) have
the type of job they wanted. A of job but in a different location. completed a traineeship; 44 % of
quarter says that it did not help them think it helped them to get a
them acquire these skills. It also looks at attitudes to starting a permanent job. However, more than
business as a possible response to a quarter consider that it did not help
redundancy, and at the assets that them to find a job (26 %).
that links the flexibility of the labour job seekers should emphasise in order
market with job security and social to return to work. Overall, 35 % of Finally, it considers the overall impact
rights) and the perceived impact of respondents currently working would that respondents think the EU has in
the austerity measures, and the EU’s consider starting their own business the area of employment and social
employment measures. Europeans in response to redundancy. A majority policy; for example, helping people
broadly agree with the principles of of Europeans agree that starting your finding a job, fighting poverty and
‘flexicurity’ but 51 % disagree that own business is more difficult for some social exclusion, and helping to
many people retire too early. categories of the population (e.g. modernise social protection systems.
a person with a disability, a young The EU’s measures for getting more
It also assesses whether respond- person leaving full-time education, people into work, such as supporting
ents who are currently working feel a person over 50 years old, etc.). people who want to start a business,
confident about retaining their jobs. Professional experience and the level are broadly seen as being effective.
82 % of respondents currently working of one’s qualifications remain the two More than half of Europeans think the
are confident that they will keep their assets that should be emphasised in EU has a beneficial impact on general
job, more than in May-June 2009. order to find a job. employment and social policies.
65 % are confident that they will have However, when interviewed more
a job in two years’ time. The Eurobarometer report also tackles precisely on the different measures,
issues associated with training, such the number of people who think the
as its usefulness in helping partici- EU is having a positive impact has
Same job, same location pants to secure a job, and also fallen in most countries since 2009,
The study then asks respondents how barriers to participating in training very substantially in some.
they would react should they lose their programmes. It looks at traineeship
job, and about their expectations in and its value in finding employment,
the event of redundancy. If they were and evaluates the importance of Full results of the Eurobaro
made redundant, close to half of information on skills required in the meter opinion poll n°377 on
respondents currently working would future. Over the past twelve months, the Internet: http://ec.europa.
look for work by applying for the 23 % of Europeans have participated eu/public_opinion/archives/eb_
same kind of job in the same location in training courses; over half (55 %) of special_379_360_en.htm#377
but for another employer. More than them were funded by their employer.
Social Agenda – February 2012 13Youth
employment
Boosting opportunities
here and now
© 123RF
The European Commission will propose a European quality framework on traineeships in the first half of 2012
The European Commission young people in the labour market.
It sends a signal right across the
EU, seeking to mobilise and support
has launched a Youth Opportunities a stronger partnership between
the political authorities, business
Initiative to accelerate effective action and trade unions at all levels of
g overnance (European, national,
regional and local) in order to boost
“ The most urgent social matter ” is that young job seekers stay connected and spread measures that are already
how European Commission President to the labour market. being experimented in different parts
Manuel Barroso qualified the plight of the EU. A partnership in which
of youth unemployment, in his State On 20 December 2011, the European the Commission is fully involved,
of the Union address to the European Commission launched the Youth offering policy guidance and concrete
Parliament in September 2011. Opportunities Initiative - a wake-up assistance in the process.
call, to get unemployed young people
True, since 2010 and the adoption by who left school or training without The Commission is asking Member
the EU of the Europe 2020 strategy, having achieved upper secondary States to adjust the way they use the
youth issues have been firmly placed level education, back to school or into European Social Fund in order to tap
at the heart of the policy agenda for a vocational training fitting the labour into the € 30 billion of funding, which
the years to come, with precise targets market needs; and ensure that young remain uncommitted to projects for
to be reached concerning in particular people who obtained a diploma but the current 2007-13 programming
education, employment and poverty cannot find a job, get a first work period.
reduction, and the launch of the Youth experience.
on the Move “flagship” initiative. Additional EU leverage funding
The initiative addresses three areas is being mobilised directly by the
However, more immediate action in particular: greater use of the European institutions to boost a series
is needed, right now, in 2012 and European Social Fund for youth of concrete actions.
2013. Youth unemployment can lead employment measures; innovative
to persistent difficulties and marginali- approaches supporting youth employ- First and foremost, the European
sation over time. It is crucial therefore ment, and supporting mobility of Commission wants to spread the
14 Social Agenda – February 2012Youth Guarantees, which Finland across the EU. The new mobility pilot individually or collectively. In that
and Austria are successfully experi- project “Your first Eures Job” will help perspective, the European Progress
menting, as a way of implementing up 5,000 young people to find a job Microfinance Facility, which was
the Europe 2020/Youth on the Move placement in another Member State, designed to help people who cannot
target - that young people can be in in 2012 and 2013. access conventional credit (which
employment, education or training is the case for most young people),
within four months of leaving school. The Erasmus and Leonardo da Vinci will be a useful tool. It will be further
€ 4 million are earmarked to that end. European mobility programmes are expanded in the next programming
The challenge is to ensure that such being geared as much as possible phase 2014-20 as part of the Europe
good practices can be adapted and towards placing higher education 2020 Programme for Social Change
transposed to other Member States. and vocational training students in and Innovation, with a special budget
enterprises. The aim is to reach the line for social enterprises.
€ 1.3 million will be dedicated to target of at least 130,000 placements
supporting the setting up of appren- in 2012. The Erasmus for Entrepre- All these measures, taken at European
ticeships through the European Social neurs programme will ensure 600 level, will constitute a sound basis
Fund. An increase of 10 % by the end further exchanges of young new on which Member States can further
of 2013 would add a total of 370,000 entrepreneurs. elaborate when designing their
new apprenticeship placements. Operational Programmes for the next
The budget allocation for the period, 2014-2020.
Traineeships can help young people European Voluntary Service is being
acquire the necessary labour market reinforced to provide at least 10,000
More information on the Internet:
relevant skills, provided they are of volunteering opportunities, which will
high quality and, for instance, do not equip young volunteers with soft skills Youth opportunities Initiative:
replace proper jobs. This is why the (such as leadership, creativity, etc.) http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.
Commission will propose a European that are more and more valued by jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=1
quality framework on traineeships in recruiters. 143&furtherNews=yes
the first half of 2012. Youth on the Move:
The Commission also wants to boost http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.
EU funding will also be invested to entrepreneurship and help young jsp?catId=950&langId=en
improve young people’s access to jobs people start their own business,
© Leire Jaime - http://withabunchofmarkers.tumblr.com
Tackling youth unemployment
is the most urgent social matter
Social Agenda – February 2012 15SPECIAL FEATURE
Strengthening
the social dimension
of cohesion policy
© Image Globe
The European Social Fund has helped set up more than 10 000 small and medium-sized enterprises
The European Social Fund
should account for at least 25 %
of future EU cohesion policy co-funding
T
ime has come to define how and that funding gets a much sharper prominence as will dedicated support
to further improve the EU’s focus on growth and jobs. to marginalised communities such as
political and financial instru- the Roma.
ments for the next EU budgetary The European Social Fund (ESF)
period, which runs from 2014 is one of those cohesion funding The ESF will also benefit from other
to 2020. sources. Underlining the importance improvements suggested by the
of investing in human capital, the Commission. It will be easier to use
Over the last year and a half, the Commission suggests it should and manage, more result-oriented,
European Commission has made two account for at least 25 % of the concentrated on fewer objectives and
major proposals on the future of EU total amount of EU cohesion policy more coherent with the way other
cohesion policy. co-funding. This would result in a funds are used in a given region.
minimum amount of 84 bn Euro
On 17 June 2010, presenting its being available for people.
proposal for the EU budget for the
years 2014-2020, it suggested that From 2014 onwards, if the European
cohesion policy co-funding by the EU Parliament and the EU Council of
(i.e. complementary to the national Minister accept the Commission’s
budgets) amount to € 376 billion. proposals, 20 % of ESF allocations to
the Member States will be devoted to
On 6 October 2011, the Commission promoting social inclusion. Greater
proposed a package of legislation on emphasis will be placed on fighting
the future of cohesion policy over the youth unemployment, mainstreaming
same period of time, ensuring that and specifically supporting gender
© Image Globe
EU funds are better oriented towards equality and fighting against all
outputs and results; that the different forms of discrimination. Job creation
From 2014, 20% of European
sources of EU funding be used in a through entrepreneurship support Social Fund allocations should be
devoted to promoting social inclusion
more coherent and integrated way; and social business will receive more
16 Social Agenda – February 2012Making
it happen
© Image Globe
The European Social Fund helped a transport company launch a project to find new bottom-up approaches for cultivating a trustful working environment
ESF co-funding enables
and have a budget ranging from
€40 000 to €400 000. Activities range
from training courses, conferences,
creative projects to take place information campaigns, studies and
guides, to professional advice. Priority
is given to projects involving workers
C
ombining artistic creativity Green SMEs and jobs who are hit by restructuring, those
and social change, the who live in rural or protected areas,
Austrian ESF-sponsored In Spain, the Green Jobs programme, workers in the environmental sector,
project Demontage- und Recycling- spearheaded by the Fundacion as well as women, the disabled,
Zentrum (DRZ) introduces long-term Biodiversidad of the Spanish Ministry immigrants, over 45s and under-
unemployed people and people with of Environment, Rural and Marine qualified workers.
disabilities into electronic goods Affairs, is currently running more
recycling – including into works of than 80 projects. It aims to support
art! After eight weeks of training more than 28 000 people and Social innovation nurseries
they can be employed for up to nine create 1 000 new green small and
months. “We give them the opportu- medium size enterprises (SMEs) Movares (for ‘movement and
nity to pursue a regular job,” says and jobs in the future. The Founda- mobility’) is a Dutch leader in
project manager Anton Stengeli. tion regularly publishes calls for designing European transpor t
“They also have a chance to receive proposals to support projects from a systems. It is experimenting innova-
further training in parallel to intensive €44.1-million fund, through to 2013. tive ways of motivating and retaining
socio-educational care”. DRZ also The programme seeks to improve its 1 200-strong workforce of highly
ensures that faulty electrical devices workers’ environmental skills and trained professionals – and attract
are mended by a registered repair qualifications through training, foster more. “With ESF support, we launched
shop. In addition, it offers innova- the growth of new green SMEs and the ‘Sustaining movement’ project
tive ‘Trash Design Manufacturing’, encourage the environmental sustain- to find new, bottom-up approaches
turning electrical waste into anything ability of economic a ctivities. “The for cultivating a working environ-
from jewellery to furniture - visually ESF plays a key role in the Green Jobs ment based around mutual trust,
appealing design objects which programme,” says Silvia Fernandez flexibility and the confidence to try out
also symbolise how participants are Campa, International Coordinator new ideas,” explains project leader
encouraged to deal with the environ- at the Fundacion Biodiversidad. Ronald Stoeckart. Using internal
ment responsibly. Projects run for one to two years ‘natural leaders’ to drive progress, the
Social Agenda – February 2012 17project set up several social innova- region to introduce such a project,” development to try and get socially
tion ‘nurseries’, tackling issues such explains Piotr Bobak. “Looking at the excluded youth aged 18-24 into
as ‘flexible working conditions’, results, without doubt it was worth employment or education. “The
‘other ways to evaluate performance’, every penny”. Would-be entrepre- unemployment rate for youth in
‘new pay structures’ and a ‘buddy neurs were asked to put forward a Malmö is very high,” says Johanna
system’ for younger workers. Many good idea and 25 % of the required Eriksson, one of the coaches involved
staff took part in the nurseries’ activi- funding. The Labour Office selected in the project, “and some hesitate
ties, guided by external advisors and 60 of them to pass through to the next to seek contact with the authorities,
a support group of management and stage – a training course on entrepre- either because they are not aware
worker representatives. “The project neurship, including business planning, of what kind of help they can get or
revealed much useful information,” marketing and accounting. Four weeks because they think the authorities
says Stoeckart, “For example, we later each candidate presented their cannot help them.” Each youth has a
found that some departments felt freer business plan and 35 were chosen for coach and sets his/her own personal
to innovate than others, that there are funding worth approximately €4 500. goals. Activities include going to job
better alternatives to a points system for Among the successful start-ups were a fairs, attending motivational courses
evaluations, and that a buddy system photography studio, an estate agent, as well as taking part in creative
(mentoring) is much appreciated by a PR company, and Boguslaw Prasak’s courses, such as boxing and dancing.
new colleagues.” Movares is now construction firm which specialises in The coaches are in close contact with
moving ahead to disseminate several of renovating historical buildings: “Today the local authorities, trying to change
the project’s themes more widely across I employ two workers and I’ve also the way they perceive unemployed
the company – a successful conclu- broadened the business,” he says, youth. The project ran until the end of
sion that helped win a ‘Best Employer’ admitting that the project helped him 2011. The House of Dreams aims to
award in 2010 from among 380 large fulfil a dream. “It just proves that in get 70 % of participants into study or
companies in the Netherlands. business everything starts with a good work. Since it started in 2009, 50 %
idea. And there are many people of the 450 participants have found
Having a good idea for a new out there with great ideas – we just work or started studying. By the end
business but lacking the cash to need to help them become real,” of the project, it expected to have
get it going is not uncommon. In emphasises Piotr Bobak. coached 900 participants.
the Polish county of Nysa, budding
entrepreneurs found the help they
needed. Indeed, the Nysa Investment Personal development More information on
Project – run by the District Labour ESF-funded projects:
Office – helped 35 new businesses In Malmö, Sweden, the “New City” http://ec.europa.eu/esf/main.
get off the ground with ESF funding. ESF-backed project managed by jsp?catId=466&langId=en
“We were the first Labour Office in the “The House of Dreams” uses personal
© Image Globe
The European Social Fund co-funds projects which help young unemployed people into work, studies or training
18 Social Agenda – February 2012Paving the way
for a cross-border
youth employment policy
© iStock
An integrated European approach to youth employment is key to achieving the 2020 target of having 75% of the active population employed
A network involving eight EU Member States
has put forward key recommendations
S
ince 2009, The European For each of these thematic areas, it • upgrade career guidance
Social Fund has been paving has evaluated promising practices services;
the way for a transversal in the Member States involved
youth strategy involving policy and submitted them to a single, • create a common web-based
makers and stakeholders at integrated benchmarking exercise. database to provide reliable
national, regional and local level. information on guidance,
Together with the Republic of On this basis, the Network produced mobility and entrepreneurship
Cyprus, it has been co-funding in November 2011 a Common programmes and practices;
a Youth Employment European (European) Reference Framework
Network which connects a sample for Youth Employment Policies, • use the European Social Fund to
of EU Member States: Cyprus, identifying key success factors and give disadvantaged young people
Belgium (the Flanders region), providing recommendations to the opportunity to train abroad…
Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, policy makers:
Spain and Sweden. An integrated approach to youth
• combine the European Regional employment, breaking the divide
The aim of this mutual learning Development Fund and the not only between EU Member States
network is to mobilise authorities European Social Fund; but also between different facets
and organisations in what is more of this issue, is key to reaching the
than ever a priority of the European • create partnerships involving as target the European Union has set
Union: the fight against youth many stakeholders as possible, itself for 2020: having 75 % of its
unemployment. especially the young themselves, active population employed.
in designing employability
The Network has been tackling programmes;
youth unemployment from three European Network on Youth
angles: entrepreneurship; education • combine different ways of building Employment website:
and vocational counselling; and up young people’s capacity to http://www.youthemploymentnet.eu
mobility. enter the labour market;
Social Agenda – February 2012 19© European Union
Age Management is one of the cross-border learning networks set up through
the European Social Fund to provide input into the design of employment strategies
Transnational learning
networks - a second batch
The European Commission is issuing
a new call for the last part of the current
European Social Fund programming period
B
uilding upon the EQUAL initia- participator y way, and are open Together with the EQUAL initia-
tive which was implemented to stakeholders or anyone likely to tive, the Learning Networks provide
between 2000 and 2006, benefit from a common learning a wealth of experience in EU-level
the Learning Networks were set up process… and willing to share networking. This experience is now
in 2009 and 2010 as part of the competencies and experience. being fed into the preparation of the
European Social Fund (ESF) strategy next phase of Learning Networks
for transnational cooperation. Their They address themes and issues under the current ESF program-
aim is to provide input into the design which have a clear European ming period. It will also serve to
of employment strategies, including dimension and focus on common ensure a smooth transition towards
how to target ESF support beyond concerns, interests and learning the next ESF programming period
2013 when the current programming objectives. They facilitate the (2014-2020), bearing in mind
period comes to an end. exchange of good practices, experi- the priorities of the Europe 2020
ence, tools and plans between strategy.
Learning Networks are initiated by the network par tners and their
groupings of managing authori- peers across Europe. Moreover,
ties, intermediate bodies and they build upon the capacities Web page on ESF transna-
public administrations in charge established by the network partners tional cooperation:
of policies supported by the ESF. to monitor, validate and document http://ec.europa.eu/esf/main.
They are managed by the relevant good practices, and to test them in jsp?catId=56&langId=en
ESF managing authorities in a different situations.
20 Social Agenda – February 2012You can also read
