The Finish delegation acquainted with the activities implemented by European Social Fund Agency

In 30 of May 2017 employees of European Social Fund Agency warmly accepted 25 Finish colleagues working with the European Social Fund (hereinafter – ESF) projects. The guests were introduced with the Agency’s activities, functions, already implemented and new funding programmes, the priorities of 2014-2020 programming period and already achieved results. The delegation also was interested in the process of launching the calls, best practices organizing the training for applicants and methods of project evaluation. Shortly the simplification options used for project implementation and administration were discussed. Moreover, the collection and measurement of common ESF indicators in Lithuania was presented, which intended to demonstrate the direct benefits of the ESF investment to a person, to see whether or not the investment reached a specific person. Finally, Agency presented the results and significance of the innovative project of the universal project manager.

During the study visit colleagues from Finland shared their experience implementing projects in the area of social economy and opportunities to cooperate in the implementation of international projects within the ESF.

The next day the participants of the study visit were invited to the Rehabilitation Center of Deaf People in Vilnius, where several ESF projects were presented and the guests could hear the success stories of project participants and get acquainted with the daily life routines of deaf people. 

It is expected that the mutual cooperation which was started in 2011 together implementing EU Twinning projects , participating in thematic networks like The Baltic Sea Network – ESF and Learning Network From School to work – S2W, organizing mutual exchange of good practices – will be successfully continued in 2018 together implementing ESF international projects within social inclusion.