Eurocities cities for active inclusion project

EUROCITIES CITIES FOR ACTIVE INCLUSION NLAO 2009-2013 Sofia, 18/11/2013 Sonya Blazheva-Truykova Senior Supervisor NLAO - Sofia

Content of the presentation

1. Introduction to EUROCITIES 2. Cities for Active Inclusion Partnership NLAO 3. Main findings and conclusions

1. Introduction to EUROCITIES

EUROCITIES  The network of major European cities;  Founded in 1986;  More than 130 large cities in over 30 European countries;  Platform to share knowledge and ideas and develop innovative solutions;  Dialogue with the European Institutions;  Connecting over 2000 city officers through thematic Forums, Working Groups, projects and events;  ‘Framework Partnership’ with EC to improve the involvement of cities in EU Social Inclusion policies; • Key role of local governments for successful AI implementation;

2. Introduction to Cities for Active Inclusion

Cities for Active Inclusion • A dynamic partnership of 9 European cities; • Each with a local authority observatory (LAO) for active inclusion within its administration; • Their aim – to share information, promote mutual learning and carry out research on the implementation of active inclusion strategies at the local level.

• The LAOs are coordinated by EUROCITIES (the network of major cities in the Europe); • They are supported by a partnership between the European Commission (DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) and EUROCITIES.

2. Introduction to Cities for Active Inclusion

9 cities established a Local Authority Observatory: • Barcelona (SP) • Birmingham (UK) • Bologna (IT) • Brno (CZ) • Copenhagen (DK) • Lille-Roubaix (FR) • Rotterdam (NL) • NLAO - a dynamic network of 9 Local Authority observatories (LAOs); •Integrated in the Inclusive Cities Partnership with DG EMPL;

• Sofia (BG) • Stockholm (SE)

2. Introduction to Cities for Active Inclusion

CfAI - NLAO Strategic Objectives: • Raising awareness on AI and engaging with other stakeholders; • Providing strategic overview on the European AI Strategy implementation at local level (3 pillars – inclusive labour markets, quality services and sufficient income support); • Identifying good practices and challenges; • Feeding into EU and national policy-making; • Promoting mutual learning; • Developing recommendations.

2. Introduction to Cities for Active Inclusion

Cities for Active Inclusion - key objectives:  Informing, disseminating and awareness raising National websites & newsletters  Researching and analysing policy Collection, analysis and publication of good practices, all available in the website  Implementing and promoting mutual learning National workshops on active inclusion & European event

3. Main findings and conclusions

Cities for Active Inclusion - Results 

Identifying and disseminating best practice on how to involve the most vulnerable people in society and employment has inspired and motivated the municipalities to take part in this 5 years CfAI partnership.

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City authorities have designed and implemented a wide range of innovative AI ideas and solutions: from initiatives to help older people feel safe in their communities to providing parrenting skills o disadvataged families trough to peer mentoring for 2dary school pupils from migrant origin, etc.

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Each year, the city partners organised AI seminars to rise awareness among a wide range of stakeholders. More than 900 people attended these events.

Mutual learning study visits took place in several cities, focusing on topics such as: - the social economy in Bologna; - urban regeneration in Rotterdam; - social innovation in social services in Barcelona; preventative approaches to social exclusion in Birmingham.

3. Main findings and conclusions

CfAInclusion – the final report 

The final report - key findings and conclusions from the 5 years CfAI partnership; 5 reccommendations for the implementation of the EU‘s recently adopted Social Investment Package (SIP);

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The 5 years of research and analyses (totally 46 city research reports done) demonstrate that cities appy an integrated approach to AI by a broader focus on: prevention; education; lifelong learning; early intervention; social innovation; addressing health issues.

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Key factors that can affect AI, including: The quality of social services; - The role of social economy; Youth employment; - Social innovation; Demographic change; - Preventative and targeted approaches; Social clauses in the procurement; - Social return on investment.

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3 main challenges faced during the AI policies implementation: - financial constraints; - increasing numbers and emerging groups of people at risk of social/labour market exclusion.

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3. Main findings and conclusions

5 RECCOMMENDATIONS to further strenghten the EU AI strategy/SIP implementation - Maintaining strong focus on AI in the key EU processes (incl. the Nat. Reform Programmes and the Country specific reccommendations); - Promote activities at all levels of governance to: - raise awareness; - build capacity; - provide mutual learning opportunities on the successful implementation of AI; - Ring – fenced funds for AI in all relevant EU funding programmes, ensuring they are accessible to the cities; - Broaden and mainstream the AI principles into all SIP measures; - Involve city governments as partners in the preparation, implementation and assessment of AI policies.

City reports are published on our website‌

www.eurocities-nlao.eu

Thank you for your attention! sblazheva@yahoo.com