Eastern European Social Policy Network – Bridging research & practice

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.

First Bridge Building Summer School on social welfare took place at the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, in Vienna

Eleven participants from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine successfully completed the Bridge Building Summer School on social selfare (BB Summer School) at the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, in Vienna, Austria, from 10 to 14 July 2017. Researchers, practitioners and CSO representatives gathered to foster channels of learning, communication, and partnerships. The main outcomes of the BB Summer School include: the learning of best practices, the exchange of knowledge and experiences, the development of collaborative work, and the strengthening of the Eastern European Social Policy Network (EESPN). The summer school’s key event, the EESPN public forum, was hosted by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection. Together with approximately 45 people, the key note speakers Dr. Cartwright and Ms Marić approached the question of ‘Divided society – Cohesive Europe?’.

Please find outputs on the BB summer school here:
Short report_BB-summer school

The summer school is co-funded by the Central European Initiative.

Bridge Building Summer School on Social Welfare

The European Centre together with the CEI-Central European Initiative implemented the ‘Bridge Building Summer School on Social Welfare‘ to buil capacities and overcome societal challenges from January until August 2017.

Integrated Case Management for Employment and Social Welfare Users in the Western Balkan economies

The European Centre together with UNDP – Istanbul Regional Hub implements ‘Integrated Case Management for Employment and Social Welfare Users in the Western Balkan economies‘ from July until November 2017. It contributes to the project ‘Promoting Inclusive Labour Market Solutions in the Western Balkans’.

New Publication: Bridge Building Workshop papers

The publication “Bridge Building: Knowledge Exchange in Social Welfare Policy and Research -Innovative Approaches in Labour Market Policy and Health and Long-Term Care in Eastern Europe” compiles Workshop papers presented at the launch event ‘Building Bridges in Social Welfare Policy in Eastern Europe’ (19 September 2016; Vienna). It provides a snapshot of contents for further discussion and, ideally, for mutual learning among the wider European community. It highlights the findings from scholars and experts when examining innovative approaches implemented in their countries. The publication consists of a total of eight papers: four papers offer insights into research and good practice in the field of labour market policy and four papers provide information on findings from the area of health and long-term care.

Project ‘Innovating health and social care in rural areas – New approaches for Macedonia’

The European Centre together with its partners: Municipality of Krivogaštani (Macedonia); LAG AGRO Lider (Macedonia); Austrian Embassy, Skopje; Austrian Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection; implemented the project ‘Innovating health and social care in rural areas – New approaches for Macedonia’ from March 2016 to September 2016.