Face-to-face interaction enhances sharing experience: the ALMA Network 2nd Meeting took place in Berlin

The ALMA network, which is organised and supported by the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation under the ESF+ Social Innovation+ Initiative, in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, has organised an event of ALMA network members combined with the kick-off event of the German JUVENTUS programme. Network members have had two practice-oriented internal sessions of the network, followed by the opportunity to meet German project operators and get first-hand experiences and visit the projects on the second day. The event, titled “ALMA Network 2^nd Meeting and the kick-off of German ALMA programme JUVENTUS”, took place in Berlin on June 19-20, 2023.

During the internal sessions, ALMA network members shared insights on the ALMA initiative in their country, presented the results of previous initiatives related to the most vulnerable NEETs, shared keys to success, and learned lessons that network members and other project implementers could learn from. Moreover, the members agreed on the future Work programme and the next steps of the network.

Panel discussions with representatives of the European Commission, European Competence Centre for Social Innovation and project operators provided a space to hear experiences from ESF+.

The “World Café” activity has become an inspiring space for participants to exchange good practices and round table discussions with German project operators on implementing the ALMA initiative.

The projects visit on the second day of the event was equally useful, with a practical insight into the activities and, moreover, the participation of a representative of the project’s target group, who shared real-life experience of a programme that could be called a “life-changing experience” and what it means for each participant.

The Berlin event was specifically aimed at ESF managing authorities from other EU member states and regions interested in participating in ALMA. It was the first face-to-face meeting of ALMA network members after a break of several years. In total, over 36 participants of the network from 16 EU Member States attended the event in Berlin. Other interested parties were able to follow the opening event via live stream.

ALMA builds upon a social innovation initiative first implemented in Germany and transferred to several other Member States/regions through the Transnational Learning Network Mobility (TLN Mobility). TLN Mobility was set up in 2013. It consisted of Managing Authorities and Implementing Bodies who wanted to implement mobility programmes for disadvantaged young people (NEETs) under their national/regional ESF OPs. The ALMA network continues the successful work of TLN Mobility in supporting the implementation of ALMA under the national and regional ESF+ Operational Programmes 2021–2027. The network focuses on facilitating transnational cooperation to boost the transfer and scaling up of innovative solutions to reduce focus inequalities across the EU, especially in the policy areas of employment, skills and social inclusion.

ESF+ funding allows many organisations to continue their work on guaranteeing equal opportunities for people facing barriers to social inclusion and employment.

Watch the highlights of the “ALMA Network 2^nd Meeting and the kick-off of German ALMA programme JUVENTUS”.