The ESF Social Innovation+ initiative was launched with the first Plenary session of the Communities of Practice on Social Innovation, Social Inclusion and Employment, Education and Skills

The first Plenary session of the ESF Social innovation+ initiative‘s Communities of Practice on Social Innovation, Social Inclusion and Employment, Education and Skills successfully took place virtually on  29th of November.  The event that welcomed 208 participants from 25 European countries was organized by European Social Fund Agency – European Commission entrusted entity for the ESF Social Innovation+ Initiative.

The event was opened by Ms. Ruth Paserman, Director of the Directorate Funds: Programming and Implementation of the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission, who underlined the importance of the ESF Social innovation initiative stating “We are starting a new period in the European Union‘s cohesion policy and the European Social Fund+, and, in this period, we are putting a strong emphasis on social innovation. The EU’s current political agenda is defined by green digital and just demographic transitions, but also by our responses to crises, first the COVID crisis and then the crisis unleashed by the war in Ukraine and its consequences. These transitions and events are transforming not only the way we work in the world of education, training, and social services, but also the way people live, consume and participate in society. To respond to these challenges, we need new solutions, new ways of organizing, new ways of delivering services, and new ways of ensuring citizens’ participation. We believe that managing authorities, implementing bodies, civil society organizations, social partners, or stakeholders are all well-placed to find and fund innovative solutions to societal challenges. And this is what social innovation is about—finding together new ways to generate positive change. And this is where ESFA, entrusted to implement this initiative on the Commission‘s behalf, is a very important partner for the European Commission. It is only a few months until we conclude the previous transnational cooperation activities for the period 2014–2020, and we can already kick-start the work for 2022–2027 communities of practice. I would like to thank the Lithuanian European Social Fund Agency for engaging in this important role for the coming years.“

The Plenary session had two main objectives. One was to present the new Communities of Practice (CoP) core team, the future of the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation, communication mechanisms, and the vision of working together. The second one focused on the aims and objectives of the CoPs. The goal of the plenary session was to gather feedback from members to be able to successfully incorporate ideas and approve work programmes afterward. Both objectives seem to have been positively achieved.

The key questions of the plenary session focused on the CoP member:

• Is the 2023 work programme relevant to your current work or future plans?
• Are there other priority social issues or challenges that require social innovation in your field?
• Are you working on an issue where you’d welcome support from the CoP, and which one(s)?
• How could you support other CoP members?
• Do you have additional ideas or proposals for possible activities and outputs for the 2023 work programme?

It was important to find out not only what the participants thought about the work programmes but also to get to know in more detail their fields of expertise, expectations for transnational cooperation, and future plans in the fields covered by the ESF SI+ Initiative. 

During the event, the vision, aims, and desired results of the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation were presented by representatives of the European Social Fund Agency. It was emphasized that the Centre is building up the work of Communities of Practice on the work carried out within the communities and thematic networks of the ESF transnational cooperation since 2015. ESFA is thrilled to be starting this journey together, building on the core values of European democracies, on the talent and experience of many individuals and organisations with the vision and purpose to become a knowledge hub of social innovation and to make Europe even more inclusive, mindful, and sustainable threw this cooperation.

Future CoPs meetings according to the activity plan of the work programme will start in the first semester of the next year. It is expected that there will be no barriers and live events will be organised so people can see each other and get to know each other.  Also, it was announced that in 2023, two more Communities of Practice will be introduced: “Migrant integration” and “Material deprivation” (former FEAD community). In addition, technical support will be provided to two existing networks: ALMA and EURoma.

It was emphasized that the Commission will organise future meetings and activities of the Community of Practice on “Results-based Management” in a different framework, but in complementarity with the work of the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation.

The ESF Social Innovation Initiative will be implemented through EU-level calls in the field of international cooperation and the implementation of social innovation and by establishing and coordinating the activities of the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation. This is a huge appreciation that shows confidence in ESFA‘s professionalism and experience.

If you want to learn more, please follow the ESF Social Innovation initiative on the European Commission’s website: ESF Social Innovation+ Initiative, ESF Social Innovation+ | European Social Fund Plus.