Eastern European Social Policy Network – Bridging research & practice

New reseach directions of using EUROMOD: Austria and the Western Balkan countries in focus at the Vienna EUROMOD Workshop, 17 – 18 September 2018

More than 100 participants, researchers and public representatives met to discuss tax-benefit microsimulation practises and in particular, the future of the EU28 model EUROMOD during the Vienna EUROMOD Workshop, 17 – 18 September 2018. Besides applications of EUROMOD across the globe (e.g. in Latin America and Africa), scientists from Austria presented research insights of reforms such as the ‘Family bonus plus’, among others. Furthermore, scholars from Serbia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina showcased their tax benefit models that are built on EUROMOD; thereby triggering discussions on possibilities, potentials and challenges on the ‘Western BalkanMod initiative’.

Call for Papers: International Bridge Building Winter School 4 – 8 February 2019

The European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research (European Centre) invites proposals for paper presentations of the theme of:
‘Life-course oriented social policies in Eastern Europe’for the Bridge Building Winter School, taking place from 4 – 8 February 2019 in Vienna, Austria.

The Bridge Building Winter School aims at gathering and exchanging expertise from experienced researchers who are either based in or have a focus on (but not limited to) Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, and Turkey.

We particularly invite scholars with expertise in life-course oriented social policies related to labour market, employment, gender, ageing, digitalisation, wealth, social inclusion, as well as health and long-term care, etc..

The call for abstracts on academic papers is open until Sunday, 16 September 2018.

For submitting abstracts, please follow this link: https://survey.euro.centre.org/index.php/157683?lang=en

CALL FOR POSITION within the MigOccH research project of the University of Padova

Applications are invited for one position within the MigOccH research project (Migration and Occupational Health: Understanding the Risks for Eastern European Migrant Women) of the University of Padova. The position is for one-year research fellow. The research fellow will have to contribute to carry out a survey on the issue of the occupational health of migrant workers residing in the Municipality of Padua. Statistical skills are required.

Applications will be received within the 1st of August. Expected starting date: September 2018.

More info find here (announcement in Italian and in English).

Call for papers: New technologies: Opportunity or challenge for the aging population? Prague, 27 − 28 March 2019

KEYNOTE, a well-established consultancy in cooperation with Active Aging Center, organises the conference New technologies: Opportunity or challenge for the aging population? in Prague, 27 − 28 March 2019. Therefore it is seeking papers that will contribute to a critical examination of interrelationships between aging and technologies in the following areas:

Silver economy – devices and services adjusted to the needs of older people; age-friendly technologies.
Labor market – Industry 4.0; ICT as a challenge and opportunity for older workers; employability of older workers; technology skills update; age discrimination in hiring practices and in work place; technology easing the physical work; measures for facilitating longer working life; later career planning; age management.
ICT – social inclusion and lifelong learning; older people on internet and social media; age-friendly devices (big button phones, etc.); special apps for older people (pill reminder, fitness tracker, etc.); preventing vulnerability of older people to phishing, scams, hoaxes, etc.
Perception – older people attitudes towards new technologies; affordability, accessibility, and ethical challenges associated with new technologies.
Transport and mobility – robotic technologies; autonomous cars; and advanced driver-assistance systems for older customers.
Health system – modern medical technologies; eHealth; telemedicine; assistive devices; technology for long-term care.
Housing and homestay care – intelligent households; home adaptation; smart home devices; internet of things; robotics; artificial intelligence.

KEYNOTE welcomes proposals from scholars from any discipline, inter-discipline, or scholarly field.
Submit your 500-word abstracts and a short bio to spata@keynote.cz.

Abstract submission deadline: 30 September 2018

For further information klick here.

Invitation to the Vienna EUROMOD Workshop, 17 -18 September 2018

The European Centre together with ISER/University of Essex (United Kingdom) invites for the Vienna EUROMOD Workshop, taking place at the Austria Trend Hotel Ananas from 17 – 18 September 2018.

The Wokshop comprises the following sessions:

Tax-benefit microsimulation in Austria (17 September, morning)
Western BalkanMod initiative of the Eastern European Social Policy Network (17 September, afternoon)
New research directions using EUROMOD (18 September, morning)

For more information, see the agenda.

We particularly invite researchers and public representatives with expertise in social protection as well as tax-benefit microsimulation from Austria and the Western Balkan countries, and even beyond (EU, EaP-Eastern Partnership countries, etc.).

We look forward to seeing you on 17-18 September 2018!

The registration for the Vienna EUROMOD Workshop is closed.

The activities of SOCIEUX+ AND THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP (EaP)

To date, SOCIEUX+ has worked in the following countries of the Eastern Parnership (EaP): Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Republic of Moldova, undertaking the following actions:

SOCIEUX+ in Armenia: Sharing good practices in disability assessment

SOCIEUX+ mobilized two public sector experts to support the introduction of a human rights-based approach to disability assessment and eligibility rules, in line with WHO ICF in Armenia, based on a request for assistance received by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. More activities are foreseen in the framework of this action. (SOCIEUX+ 2015-22).

More info: http://socieux.eu/socieux-in-armenia-sharing-good-practices-in-disability-assessment/

SOCIEUX+ in Azerbaijan: Training on disability policies

In a mission led by two high-level Moldovan and Lithuanian international experts, SOCIEUX+ trained SRTCLSP staff on disability policies, accessibility of people with disabilities, and inclusion polices of people with disabilities in the labour market and VET. (SOCIEUX+ 2015-22)

SOCIEUX+ in the Republic of Moldova: Support in the field of vocational rehabilitation of people with disabilities

SOCIEUX+ supported the efforts of the Moldovan Ministry of Labour to set up a vocational rehabilitation services department for persons with disabilities. The experts deployed reviewed the current challenges and assessed its needs for setting up this unit in order to deliver quality vocational rehabilitation services. (SOCIEUX+ 2014-13)

Further information: www.socieux.eu

First NLO Workshop for strengthening regional cooperation in Bridge Building and Eastern European countries

The European Centre organised the first ‘Bridge Building in Social Welfare Policy’ Workshop with the European Centre’s National Liaison Officials (NLOs) in Vienna, on 19-20 April 2018.

NLOs and representatives from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries, Board Members, and officials from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection, met to exchange experiences regarding the implementation of transnational projects. They also discussed project ideas and explored different cooperation and funding opportunities. This was the first of meeting of the European Centre’s NLOs and an important step towards deepened cooperation with the region.

Launch of the OSH e-Observatory, developed under the POOSH project

The OSH e-Observatory, developed under the ‘Depicting the existing and future challenges in assuring decent working conditions and wellbeing of workers in hazardous sectors (POOSH)’ project, VS/2016/0224, has been launched.

In a world of continuous globalization, with companies and organizations deploying more and more workers across borders, it is essential to provide information about the labor field, posted workers, rules and general updates concerning the safety and health of posted workers in the EU.

The purpose of the e-Observatory is to collect and enhance relevant information for stakeholders (posted workers, employers, competent public authorities, trade unions, employers’ associations, NGOs), researchers and media about the overlooked issue of OSH in the context of posting abroad to provide services.

The OSH e-Observatory presents

information and evidence-based analysis of data on occupational safety and health of posted workers in the EU;
information on OSH related campaigns and events;
information from the European Commission, with links to relevant web pages;
information on competent national public authorities, European institutions and supporting organizations.

It is also a informational platform for all the project’s deliverables (conference proceedings, brochures, pocket guide, reports and other results of the research developed within the project), posted in different languages, with a regular update, in order to become and remain a useful tool for posted workers, employers, researchers, policy makers and other users.

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.