Kosovo delegation visits Ireland to study good practices in the area of labour market data
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Strengthening the organizational capacities of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund to achieve the objectives of the Public Administration Reform Strategy
The action in collaboration with the Pension and Disability Fund of Montenegro aimed to improve the quality of service and transparency to the insured and beneficiaries in line with the Public Administration Reform Strategy. Experts from Bulgaria, Romania and France mobilised by SOCIEUX+ assessed organisational and functional capacities, as well as services and communication and together with the partner institution elaborated a Strategic Plan for the period of 2024-2027. Three missions in Podgorica focused on the development and modernization of the organization and work of the Fund for the realization of the objectives of the Public Administration Reform Strategy.
International Guest Expert lectures at Mahidol University: Health financing and Social Health Protection in Europe
The ASEAN Institute for Health Development (AIHD) at Mahidol University focuses on educating leaders in health system management, enhancing the health workforce, and supporting innovative research. Key strategies include conducting research in primary health care, global health, and active aging, investing in education for future leaders, and providing long-term capacity building. AIHD also collaborates on the ILO's “Support to the extension of social health protection in Southeast Asia” project, enhancing social health protection capacities.
Since 1978, AIHD has offered a Master’s in Primary Healthcare Management, training about 800 health leaders globally. In collaboration with the ILO, AIHD added a Social Health Protection (SHP) component to this program in 2020, aiming to promote universal health coverage (UHC) by equipping professionals with expertise in SHP. This includes modules on strategic purchasing, health systems, health financing, and health economics. This is the second collaboration with the AIHD, which requested SOCIEUX+ support in mobilizing two public EU experts - from Croatia and France this time - to deliver lectures on health financing.
Enhancing capacity for public employment services activities: outreach to employers, speed dating, job fairs and supervision of private employment agencies.
This action built on previous technical support provided by the ILO Caribbean to the Ministry of Labour of Suriname, notably on building the capacities of staff to enhance the outreach to employers. The action delivered technical support in two steps. First, the actual integration of the Public Employment Service network into the policy framework targeting improved labour market intermediation was assessed by Belgian and Dutch experts. Then, experts from Belgium and France organized and delivered training to the staff of the Ministry of Labour and of local PES addressing the most prominent capacity and organizational needs (relating to outreach and communication with employers and job-seekers) as to improve the provision of support services tailored to employers’ needs.
Online training for ERI experts in the field of targeted social assistance
Institutional capacity building, Individual capacity building (human resources development)
Code
2023-19
Description
The webinar “Social Assistance Measures: Experience of the European Union” was co-organized by SOCIEUX+ and the Economic Research Institute (ERI) of Kazakhstan on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. ERI, a think tank under the Ministry of Economy, had a mission to propose to the government social assistance measures based in international good practices to support the implementation of the new Kazakhstan Social code. The experts from France and Slovakia presented the ways that minimum income guarantee schemes and child guarantee initiatives are designed and implemented in different EU Member States. Around 40 participants – ERI experts as well as other partners from Kazakhstan and Central Asia – joined the webinar.
Cost-benefit analysis of options for the provision of rehabilitation services
In order to expand its offer of services for victims of accidents at work and occupational diseases, the Workers Compensation Fund of Tanzania (WCF) together with the experts from France, Italy and the Netherlands mobilized by SOCIEUX+ worked on identification of the best option of the rehabilitation services provision. As a result of the action, a cost-benefit analysis of different options was conducted, providing the necessary elements to finalize the WCF’s rehabilitation strategy.
Improving service delivery for business owners in Edo State
Organisational capacity building, Individual capacity building (human resources development)
Code
2022-30
Description
The Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs) is a regional agency set up by the Edo State Government to support the creation of employment opportunities, job matching and skills reinforcement of the state population. This action, implemented remotely, contributed to the improvement of the services provided by EdoJobs to business starters and owners. Following an initial assessment and the elaboration of a roadmap for improved services, a ‘Mentorship and coaching guide for entrepreneurship’ was developed. The action was concluded with a capacity-building activity for a team of EdoJobs trainers. This cooperation involved Austrian, Lithuanian and Belgian expertise and was supported by the GIZ-SKYE project.
Social services: Uzbekistan explores EU experience in a study visit to Romania
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Coordination between the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and NGOs providing social assistance to veterans and their families
Institutional capacity building, Policy development
Code
2022-13
Description
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine reached out to SOCIEUX+ to assist in increasing their scope of action to incorporate coordination with NGOs providing social assistance to war veterans and their families. A fully at distance action translated into two activities led by Lithuanian expertise, aiming at showcasing existing initiatives and mechanism of social assistance provided to veterans and their families, as well as a proposition of a coordination mechanism with NGOs and Civil Society Organizations providing social assistance to war veterans. The MoVA of Ukraine had as a result of this technical assistance, a proposal for regulations to create council of Veterans as well as requirements for the development of a program for the socialization and employment enhancement of veterans.
Capacity building for improved reporting on Social Protection
Institutional capacity building, Information management systems
Code
2023-35
Description
The action in collaboration with the Republic Institute for Social protection aimed to enhance its monitoring framework for the social protection system by developing concise and clear reports that inform general population, scientific community and decision-makers. Experts from Croatia, Portugal and France mobilised by SOCIEUX+ reviewed indicators, updated research methodology and design brief template that can effectively communicate relevant data. Three missions Belgrade resulted with development of the indicators that reflect gender, human rights, vulnerability, and equality, based on the EU models and best practices. An overall methodology applicable to monitoring and reporting of the social protection system is advanced.
Support for assuming the responsibilities under the EU regulation on data and information exchange within social security systems coordination scheme
In alignment with Kosovo*’s commitment to enhancing the inclusion, equitable rights, and social engagement of Persons with Disabilities, the Office on Good Governance has of mandate to be of advice to the Prime Minister in areas of good governance, human rights, equal opportunities and anti-discrimination issues. This is done by way of policy drafting, reviewing of draft legislation, awareness raising of the population on issues relating to human rights, involving civil society in policy making, drafting and implementation of strategic documents. The Office on Good Governance of the Prime Minister’s Office of Kosovo reached out to SOCIEUX+ to review and update the previous National Strategy and Action Plans for Persons living with Disabilities, which was implemented along with a monitoring and evaluation mechanism. This action mobilized Belgian, Romanian, Portuguese and Swedish expertise.
Virtual DOST: support to digitization of citizen-centric services
Agency for Sustainable and Operative Social Provision (DOST Agency) under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population (MLSPP)
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2022-37
Description
The Agency for Sustainable and Operative Social Provision (DOST) aims to improve the quality of services in the areas of employment, labour, social protection, and provision of social services. Through its request of accompanying functional digital transition, it aims to increase transparency and ensure the application of innovative solutions, accelerate the transition to e-services, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance citizen satisfaction. Through this action, which involved experts from France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania mobilized by SOCIEUX+, DOST has acquired a clear understanding of the steps to be taken to digitize its services and as to create a single integrated digital platform accessible to all users – the ‘Virtual DOST’. The experts also provided advice on the governance and management of the information systems, and the implementation of data protection standards.
Capacity strengthening in the MLSW for updating the list of workplaces and occupations subject to insurance period calculated at an accelerated rate according to EU standards
Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy
Type of Assistance
Policy development, Individual capacity building (human resources development)
Code
2023-30
Description
The action in collaboration with the OSH Directorate of the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, aimed to promote and support the development of a preventive safety and health at work in Serbia. Experts from the Czechia, Spain and Latvia mobilised by SOCIEUX+ reviewed guidelines of the work at high and low temperature and trained OSH Administration and stakeholders on how to ensure the health of workers at high and low temperature. Two technical cooperation activities in Belgrade resulted with updated guidelines for safe and healthy outdoor work and increased knowledge for the OSH Administration, inspectors and social partners. The experts also contributed to the development of a brochure for wider distribution as part of the OSH Administration's awareness-raising activities.
Advice on Integration of data on labour market demand for improved evidence-based policy making
The Organic Law on Disabilities and the Labour Code of Ecuador establishes a mandatory quota of labour inclusion of persons with disabilities for the public and private sector with a minimum payroll of 25 workers. The Ministry of Labour of Ecuador, as the governing body of public policies in the labour field, needs to establish synergies between the supply and demand of employment in the country, through the development of innovative regulations that promote and facilitate the hiring of people with disabilities. Spanish experts mobilised by SOCIEUX+ contributed to the elaboration of a Diagnosis to know the degree of inclusion of people with disabilities in the Public Employment Service of the Ministry, and guidelines and recommendations were built to mainstream the disability approach. All of this was complemented with direct training for the institution's workers, especially labour inspectors for the regulation of companies on this topic.
Strengthening institutional capacities in São Tomé and Príncipe for the promotion of entrepreneurship
Strengthen the capacity of the PNPE to deliver services to job seekers (especially vulnerable populations), and increase its capacity to develop employment opportunities with companies
Individual capacity building (human resources development), Organisation/business strategy & planning
Code
2023-06
Description
Based on the request by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE), this action aimed to strengthen the individual and organisational capacities of the Public Employment Service agencies to increase employers’ awareness, understanding and engagement with their services. To this purpose, experts mobilized by SOCIEUX+ helped to asses gaps and needs and to formulate recommendations on individual capacities and training needs of job centres’ staff to effectively reach, engage and provide services to employers; they also helped to assess to what extent employers are aware of, understand and engage with PES services. As a result, an Employers’ Outreach, Engagement and Communication Strategy, was drafted in cooperation with experts. Finally, the last activity facilitated the design, preparation and deployment of a training of trainers’ (ToT) plan with two workshops. The first week was dedicated to the animation of a working group of FMLE managers aiming at designing and agreeing on services to employers and the second week to the ToT on outreach, engagement and provision of services to employers for a group of PES job counsellors/trainers. Throughout the action, experts from Austria, Lithuania and Sweden were involved.
Promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities through a gender equity approach
National Disability Secretariat [Secretaría Nacional de Discapacidad]
Type of Assistance
Policy development, Individual capacity building (human resources development)
Code
2022-35
Description
Building on the previous support (Action 2022-21) provided by SOCIEUX+, this action supported the National Disability Secretariat (SENADIS) of Panama to promote the inclusive labour insertion, with a gender equality approach, by elaborating a roadmap for the improvement of the labour intermediation services specifically aimed at promoting the labour insertion of persons with disabilities. Different teams of experts from Spain have contributed to strengthening the skills of actors involved in the labour market integration of persons with disabilities, by delivering training modules. The experts have also framed the acquired knowledge and a compendium of practices into a Guide to support the work of those agents in charge of enabling persons with disabilities to find a decent and accessible employment.
Green skills for Kosovo* – Labour market and skills analysis
The Social Security Commission of Namibia aims to enlarge its offer of social security schemes to encompass unemployment benefits. The contribution requested to SOCIEUX+ was mainly on exploring policy and organizational possibilities according to the context; to this purpose, SOCIEUX+ mobilized experts from France, Lithuania, Romania, and Spain. They have first been looking into the recent COVID-related stimulus package to protect laid-off workers and explore possibilities to integrate those measures into a structural instrument. Experts then looked at options for financing such a scheme, and how it would be governed and administered by the Social Security Commission. Such technical background will prove useful in the event Namibia will decide to move forward with the introduction of unemployed benefits.
Technical and institutional appraisal for the establishment of a unified registry for social protection in Lebanon
The Ministry of Social Affairs of Lebanon asked SOCIEUX+ support in the establishment of a unified registry for social protection (USRP), according to the National Social Protection Strategy. The goal is to have available a comprehensive data platform of beneficiary households of the existing social assistance benefits and schemes. In fact, today Lebanon’s economic crisis translates into persisting hardship for the poorest and impoverishment of the medium class; in such a situation, social transfers and basic services are key to secure essential livelihood and ultimately social stability. As those are massively funded by international donors, a national URSP would allow the Lebanese Government to steer social assistance delivery based on comprehensive data and IMS infrastructure. In this context, the planned EU support will be key to provide the necessary technical expertise to set up a functional and technological solution for setting up the URSP. The present Action – and the mobilized Spanish and French expertise - helped to prepare the terms of reference for the selection of the consultancy that will be in charge of ERSP’s development. The consultancy was actually selected, and the project started beginning 2024.
Strengthening inter-institutional coordination for the implementation of a National System of Employment Guidance Services
Ministry of Labour and Social Security [Ministerio del Trabajo y la Seguridad Social]
Type of Assistance
Organisation/business strategy & planning
Code
2023-11
Description
Action 2023-11 was implemented from May to November 2023. The first activity consisted in conducting an assessment of the national ecosystem of career guidance services (definition, actors, services, governance, management, etc.) in order to identify challenges and set priorities. Subsequently, the second activity focused on the organisation of an inter-institutional working seminar with the objective of gathering the different experiences at national and international level and generating working groups on career guidance services. Finally, the third activity ,initially planned to support the drafting of a proposal for an inter-institutional Agreement on the National System of Employment Guidance Services, was extended to include labour intermediation services in the same framework collaboration agreement, with the aim of extending its scope towards the creation of a "National Network of Employment Services".
Capacity building for MLSW in the field of satefy and health at work for coordinators in Montenegro
In 2022, NHIMA collaborated with SOCIEUX+ to evaluate its scheme implementation, leading to a review of its Strategic Plan and a transition to the Ministry of Health. Now, NHIMA seeks to develop an independent operating model for HR and scheme implementation, reducing reliance on third-party administrators. This action led by German, Estonian, Belgian, and Polish expertise, resulted in a proposal for a new operating and organizational model and a study visit to the Polish National Health Fund for insights on IT and organizational capacities.
Support to the normative and regulatory framework of professional elections in Mali
In collaboration with the Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Mali (UNTM) and the ILO, this initiative, conducted online, enhanced capacities in conducting professional elections and establishing a normative and regulatory framework. Expertise from Belgium was enlisted to showcase best practices in professional elections during a weeklong seminar. Following the seminar, the Malian Labour Ministry assumed responsibility for drafting an electoral code, incorporating input from social partners. Subsequently, experts mobilized by SOCIEUX+ provided comprehensive feedback on the draft.
Capacity building for the SSR on governance on administrative operations
Previous partner of SOCIEUX+, the Social Security Regulator (SSR) of Cambodia identified the technical knowledge, guidelines and expertise necessary to effectively fulfill its supervisory role of the National Social Security Fund. SOCIEUX+ stepped in to provide support by enhancing the operational and administrative capacities of the SSR staff. Romanian, Finnish, and Slovakian expertise worked with the SSR on establishing principles and modalities for effective supervision of administrative operations within the social security scheme’s management.
Development of the Social and Labor Dialogue on the Future of Work for working women, the youth, persons with disabilities and the LGTBI
Ministry of Labour and Employment Promotion [Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo]
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2022-34
Description
The National Council for Labor and Employment Promotion (CNTP) is a tripartite (government, workers and employers) mechanism for social dialogue and labour coordination within the Peruvian Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion (MTPE), whose purpose is to discuss and coordinate policies on labour, employment promotion, job training and social protection, and is also responsible for participating in the regulation of minimum wages.
Social dialogue is a fundamental component of the European social model. It enables the social partners to contribute, including through agreements, to the development of European social and labour policy. Experts from France, Italy and Spain, mobilized by SOCIEUX+, helped to broaden the social and labour dialogue in Peru to include vulnerable groups so that they could present their demands and needs in the dialogue forums. All of this was systematized in a Methodological Guide and action plan that will enable the country to incorporate this new inclusive paradigm and take a step towards real and effective compliance with Peru's regulatory commitments in this area.
Developing specialized and urgent foster care measures
Institute for Social and Child Welfare [Zavod za socijalnu i dječju zaštitu]
Type of Assistance
Policy development
Code
2023-03
Description
The social and child welfare and protection system implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Montenegro is oriented towards the development of social and child protection services to prevent the separation of children from their biological families, guarantee alternative forms of care and achieve reintegration, wherever possible by its international commitments. Ending institutionalisation has been a priority for Europe and is also one of the conditions for accession to the European Union. Experts from Hungary, Croatia, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands mobilised by SOCIEUX+ supported the Institute for Child and Social Welfare in the development of a Foster Care Action Plan and the design of a curriculum for the Institute's social workers on foster care competencies.
Strengthening the capacity of social workers to create and apply protocols for dealing with dysfunctional families
Individual capacity building (human resources development)
Capacity building
Institutional capacity building
Code
2023-07
Description
The goal of this Action requested by Montenegro’s Center for Social Work was to contribute to the improvement of childcare services in Montenegro. The role of the social worker is to support the welfare of the child, but before interacting directly with the child, the social worker has to manage the relationship with the parents or the relationship between the parents. Activity 1 proposed a Protocol for social workers to develop their capacity to work with dysfunctional families: guidelines for monitoring supervised visits, preparing reports for the courts and making decisions in the best interests of the child. The second activity allowed experts to showcase a compendium of good practices, mainly based on the experiences of Austria and Romania. Finally, a critical review of the training practices applied by the Centers for Social Work, and recommendations for their improvement, were formulated.
Support to the Ministry of Health of Montenegro in creating a quality control system
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Montenegro, this initiative identified institutional and organizational capacity gaps, empowering the MoH to lead the development of a quality of care framework. Leveraging expertise from multiple EU countries—including Slovenia, Portugal, Croatia, Estonia, and France—the MoH gained insights and lessons from diverse perspectives. Emphasis was placed on enhancing governance and health information systems.
Reform of the social and child protection system and costing of the Roadmap
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Montenegro is responsible for drafting legislative and policy proposals in the field of employment policies, labour markets, social welfare policies, social and child protection, and pension and disability insurance. Experts from Spain and France mobilised by SOCIEUX+ elaborated a Methodology for pricing social protection services and also calculated the five essential services of the institution, so that the Ministry could adapt these budgets to the needs of the context at any given time.
Advice for equal employment opportunities of people with disabilities
Policy development
Organisation/business strategy & planning
Code
2023-14
Description
The action in collaboration with the National Employment Service aimed in improving service for unemployed persons with disabilities, aligning with Serbia's overarching strategic frameworks. Experts from Spain, Romania and France assessed capacities of NES to implement new concept of work with Persons with disabilities. The missions undertaken in Belgrade aimed at conducting a diagnosis of the NES practices concerning the support to employment of PwD. As well, a handful of job counsellors also benefited from a training of trainers to have a multiplying effect among the other employees.
Review and completion of the legal framework of health insurance
Legislative & regulatory framework development
Institutional capacity buildin
Code
2023-09
Description
In the course of this single-activity Action, a proposal for a complete revision of the Health Insurance Law has been prepared by using an incremental and highly participatory approach involving SOCIEUX+ mobilized experts from Luxembourg and Portugal and the members the multi-stakeholder working group, established for that purpose by the Ministry of Health of Kosovo* with the support of the World Bank. As result, provisions of the final draft of revised law are built on a large consensus. The reform proposal particularly looks at ways to extend health coverage to unprotected and uninsured individuals. The adoption of the revised text of now follows the legislative process of approval by the Cabinet of Ministers and the Parliament.
Support on the development of individual foster care plans
Institutional capacity building
Organisational management (structures & functions)
Code
2023-17
Description
Following the last analysis carried out by the Institute of Social Activities in June 2022, the technical assistance provided by SOCIEUX+ through mobilized EU public experts addressed the qualitative dimension in the provision of services by the day-care centres to persons with disabilities. The Action unfolded in three activities, for which experts from Portugal and Romania have been mobilized. The first peer-to-peer on-site activity focused on analyzing the current state of play of day care centres for persons with disabilities, while the second one supported the modernization of standards and procedures for social service delivery in the day-care centres for persons with disabilities by developing an improved manual. The third and last activity concluded the technical cooperation with the elaboration of a general framework for monitoring and evaluating the quality and pertinence of the social services provided in the day-care centres for persons with disabilities.
Development of Strategic Plan for the Employment Service Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia
National Employment Service of North Macedonia requested SOCIEUX + support to gain more knowledge on how to effectively implement formalised strategic planning process and elaborate a three-year strategic plan of the institution. Strategic plan was a legal requirement in accordance to the Law on Budgets and it should have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance in several months. Senior expertise was mobilized from Swedish, Polish, and French institutions. Partner institution along with the experts developed strategic plan and officially started its implementation.
Development of counselling standards and services for children and youth at risk
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy requested development of counselling standards and services for children and youth at risk implemented in the institution of 25.maj in Skopje. The peer-to-peer technical assistance represented by Croatian, French and Czech expertise allowed to develop a methodology and standards for new services. These standards create an enabling environment for empowerment to the vulnerable youth, children and families at risk and will serve as a pilot project in the country with the possibility for multiplication.
Assessment of human ressources of the State Labour Inspectorate (SLI)
The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy sought to enhance the system that links cash benefits and social services to the individual needs of persons with disabilities (PwD). The initiative focused on crafting a personalized approach to entitlements, ensuring that the benefits and services, including income replacements and long-term care benefits, are appropriately aligned with the needs of PwDs. Experts from Austria, Germany, Romania, and Slovenia provided relevant EU countries’ examples of tools and scales for individual needs assessment and linkage, while developing recommendations for the reinforcement of the legal framework existing in North Macedonia.
Peer cooperation: Zambia NHIMA delegation visits Poland to study good practices in the area of health insurance
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Job opportunities for young people: SOCIEUX+ cooperation with three Nigerian partners
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SOCIEUX+ E-learning Award recognizes engaging peer-to-peer experiences
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SOCIEUX+ forges new partnerships in the Western Balkans
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How foster care works: a delegation from Kazakhstan visits the Czech Republic
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SOCIEUX+ launches E-learning award
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SOCIEUX+ completes evaluation of its support for the National Social Protection Council in Cambodia
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SOCIEUX+ peer-to-peer cooperation: information session in Montenegro
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Design of a comprehensive Recruitment and Selection Management Model for the Directorate General of Civil Service (DGSC)
General Directorate of Civil Service [Dirección General De Servicio Civil] (DGSC)
Type of Assistance
Legislative & regulatory framework development
Code
2022-33
Description
Since 2018, the Personnel Recruitment and Selection Area of the Directorate General of Civil Service (DGSC) has been developing an initiative that aims to transform the recruitment and selection processes applying to civil servants of 45 institutions that operate under the Civil Service Regime, as to stimulate efficiency, automation, and accessibility in the supply of administrative positions. Against this framework, the action, through the involvement of various teams of Spanish experts mobilized by SOCIEUX+, aimed to significantly improve the civil service recruitment system mainly by accompanying a consultation process involving a sample of HR offices and their regional headquarters, as to take into account their perception and needs. Based on those consultations, experts helped co-constructing a new comprehensive operational model for recruitment, one that is transparent and in accordance with the directives of the Public Employment Framework Law. Finally, experts also helped to develop software requirements for the system’s automation and harmonization.
Capacity building of staff of Ogun State Bureau of Job Creation on PES delivery
Ogun State Bureau of Job Creation and Youth Empowerment
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2022-29
Description
Through collaboration with the Ogun Bureau of Job Creation in Nigeria, this initiative, executed remotely, significantly enhanced the capabilities of the Bureau staff in delivering Public Employment Services (PES). By conducting an organizational capacity assessment, French PES experts identified areas where job counselors required additional training. Subsequently, Spanish and Slovenian experts developed tailored training modules utilizing the SOCIEUX+ e-learning platform. These modules concentrated on essential aspects such as managing a PES service, fostering employer relationships and partnerships, and effectively communicating the services provided by the bureau to the public.
Capacity building of CIPRES in providing continuing trainings to OPS staff in the field of social protection
Inter-African Conference on Social Welfare [Conférence Interafricaine de la Prévoyance Sociale] (CIPRES)
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building, Organisational capacity building
Code
2022-27
Description
The Inter-African Conference on Social Welfare (CIPRES) reached out to SOCIEUX+ in view of reinforcing its Executive Secretariat in training engineering capacities. CIPRES aims to put in place a training center that will provide trainings to technical staff. This action, led by French and Belgian experts, produced a complete training engineering guide tailored to CIPRES needs. The guide includes step by step instructions to do a training design, assessing training needs of an organization, operational aspects of delivering a training, and monitoring and evaluation of training delivery.
Review of the existing policy and regulatory frameworks in view of the introduction of an Unemployment Benefits scheme in Kenya
Together with ILO, the National Social Security Fund of Kenya has been working in a set of policy and regulatory documents pertaining to the introduction of a unemployed benefits scheme. The resulting roadmap, actuarial study, legal gap analysis, legal drafting instructions, and draft bill and regulations constituted the framework of the peer-to-peer cooperation facilitated by SOCIEUX+. Policy discussions have mainly revolved around whether to adopt an unemployment insurance (UI) scheme or unemployment individual savings accounts (UISAs).
At the end of the Action, experts from France, the Netherlands, and Sweden had helped the partner to review the existing policy and normative frameworks, setting the stage for the introduction of an unemployment benefits (UB) scheme, including its main components/design (benefit duration, benefit rate, contingency and persons covered, qualifying period, eligible reasons for job termination, waiting period, reference and insurable earnings, financing approach,…).
Reform of the WC system in Kenya based on social insurance models
Directorate of Occupational safety and Health Services
Type of Assistance
Legislative & regulatory framework development
Code
2022-24
Description
The Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya was committed in 2023 to transforming the current employer liability provisions with a system of workers’ compensation based on social insurance. The mobilization of public expertise from Spain, Estonia, Germany, Slovenia, and Czech Republic in the framework of SOCIEUX+ played a significant role in advancing the adoption of a reform proposal for the current Workers' Compensation (WC) framework in Kenya. The results of the collaborative efforts included a comparative analysis of WC systems based on social insurance and a presentation of international good practices, an assessment of the current legal framework, a policy paper setting the stage for a reform proposal, including the insurance scheme’s main components and the strategic and operational steps to be undertaken, and the drafting of specific parts of the new regulatory framework. The activities emphasized the link between prevention, compensation, and rehabilitation, and cultivated support from social partners for the proposed legislative reforms.
Survey on pension adequacy and spending of the single elderlies
Training, Assessment and Research Institute for Labor and Social Protection (TARILSP)
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2022-23
Description
The Training, Assessment and Research Institute for Labor and Social Protection of Mongolia works on methodological improvements in data collection on social protection matters, which reverberate on the quality and relevancy of data analysis and, therefore, policy advise. Experts from Belgium, Finland, Portugal, and Slovakia mobilized by SOCIEUX+ have collaborated with the partner in reengineering data-collection methods (sampling and questionnaires) and provided examples of modern tools and methods for data analysis. The partner has engaged into the elaboration of policy advise, thus building the ground for the development of knowledge-based policy making in the area of social policy.
Best practices and strategy for collection of voluntary contributions to non-state pension funds
Through two activities, Finnish, French, and German experts mobilized by SOCIEUX+ provided the State Social Protection Fund of Azerbaijan with EU good practices in collecting voluntary contributions to non-state pension funds, followed by a strategy to create, attract and create incentives to non-state pension funds.
Exchange of experience in providing special social services to persons with disabilities on regional level
Department of employment and social protection of the city of Nur-Sultan
Type of Assistance
Individual capacity building (human resources development), Institutional capacity building
Code
2022-20
Description
Department of Employment and Social Protection of the city of Astana is the main entity at the regional level to organize the provision of social services to vulnerable population, including persons with disabilities (PwDs). In its structure, the Department has several residential and daycare institutions which provide social services. In this action, the experts from Romania conducted the assessment and contributed to the improvement of special social services delivered to PwDs, including the services that support personal autonomy and independence of beneficiaries. Peer-to-peer cooperation resulted in both the reinforcement of the skills of the staff working directly with beneficiaries and in the reinforcement of the collective capacities of the care institutions concerned.
Establishment of Thika model Job Centres to act as a one-stop-shop for all employment services for youth
Organisational management (structures & functions), Institutional capacity building
Code
2022-19
Description
To better implement the national policies on youth employment, the National Employment Authority (NEA) solicited SOCIEUX+ cooperation to support them to create a pilot one-stop-shop in employment services for youth in Thika, that could be replicated nation-wide in case of success. This SOCIEUX+ action focused on developing a strategy to set up this pilot one-stop-shop by first realizing a diagnostic of the National Employment Authority (NEA) for the establishment of Thika’s one-stop-shop, focused on youth, then by jointly developing an operational strategic plan for the creation of the pilot one-stop-shop in Thika. The 3rd activity focused on developing a toolkit on youth counselling activities for job counsellors in Thika. The action mobilized Belgian and Swedish expertise.
Support to the Social Security Corporation of Jordan in adopting a referral mechanism
The Social Security Corporation of Jordan provides social insurance to employees of the public and private sector, and retirees. They do not, at the stage of the request, provide health insurance. The SSC is planning to establish a health insurance scheme to cover private sector workers and relatives and to be made compulsory to SSC contributors and their family dependents. This action, supported by Belgian and Portuguese expertise, provided the SSC with a mapping of approaches to referral mechanisms with their pros and cons as well as a roadmap for adopting a referral system.
Development of proposals for normative regulation of the activities of non-standard employment (digital platform) workers
JSC "Center for the Development of Human Resources"
Type of Assistance
Legislative & regulatory framework development
Code
2022-17
Description
The Workforce Development Center is a think tank related to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kazakhstan. Its role is to provide analytical expertise and information support to the government on labour market related issues. With gig-economy becoming a wider phenomenon in Kazakhstan, the Center was engaged in the preparation of regulatory framework related to digital platform workers. With expertise from Hungary, Lithuania and Portugal mobilized for this cooperation, the action contributed to better understanding of the problematics by the Center’s staff by sharing knowledge of approaches already used in EU countries and supranational European recommendations. This was followed by an assessment of the existing legal framework in Kazakhstan and proposals and guidelines for a reform.
Review of the legal framework and strategy supporting veteran’s entrepreneurial activities
Institutional capacity building, Policy development
Code
2022-16
Description
The Directorate of Civic Identity and Veteran Development is an independent structural unit of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine. The Ministry indicated the need to review the existing legal framework regarding entrepreneurship support to ex-combatants, as well as the Ministry’s strategy supporting veterans’ entrepreneurial activities. The object of this action was geared towards reintegration, rather than reinsertion. Reintegration is the process by which ex-combatants acquire civilian status and gain sustainable employment and income. During the first activity, experts from France produced a review of the legal framework and strategy related to the reintegration of veterans through entrepreneurship. The second activity showcased good practices of programmes supporting veterans entrepreneurship in Croatia. Both activities were carried out remotely.
Improving the system of monitoring and evaluation of social projects within the framework of grant funding for NGOs
Non-profit joint-stock company "Center for Support of Civil Initiatives"
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2022-14
Description
Civil Initiatives Support Center (CISC) created in 2016 is the operator for all public and some private grants delivered to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kazakhstan. Its mission is to maintain relations of confidence and transparency between the state and CSOs and to support the development of civil society in Kazakhstan in terms of funding as well as capacity building. Through the expertise from Romania and Portugal, this action supported CISC to make more efficient, transparent and homogenous the assessment of initial grant applications and the activities of monitoring and evaluation applied when the grant projects are being implemented. New procedures were proposed, and CISC staff and independent assessors were trained.
Methodology for processing “Medium-term development program for people with disabilities and their families (2023-2025)”
General authority for development of persons with disabilities
Type of Assistance
Policy development, Individual capacity building (human resources development)
Code
2022-12
Description
The Action has mainly resulted in information sharing and methodological support. The General Authority for development of persons with disabilities intended to develop a strategic approach for serving persons with disabilities at its best. To this goal, SOCIEUX+ mobilized an extraordinary, diversified expertise from Finland, France, Italy, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden, for the very purpose of exposing the Partner to a varied set of models and practices. Individual capacity building of Partner’s staff has been part of this strategy. The last step of the cooperation has been to set up a full-fledged methodology on how to develop a medium-term action plan for persons with disabilities and their families, inclusive of potential actions and services inspired by EU best practices fostering social inclusion and independent living.
Support for the design and structuring of a sustainable business model for the Agricultural and Labour Training Centre of the Agricultural Chamber of the East
The Center for Agricultural Training (CFA) of the Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO) of Bolivia was expected to take off in 2022 towards a modern professional training model tailored to the needs of agricultural producers and workers. The CAO was committed to work on the Institutional systematization of the CFA to ensure their services could reach most associates and meet the basic requirements of a training entity. Collaboration with experts from Spain and France through SOCIEUX+ was pivotal in providing resources and expertise for long-term sustainability of the CFA. An extensive organizational assessment led to the creation of an operational plan and a collaborative effort to design a pedagogical model for the CFA. Additionally, a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system was established to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the training programs.
Developing procedure of selection and certification of the disability assessors and SOP of Disability Assessment Centres
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Armenia embarked on a significant reform initiative to transition towards the ICF-based approach for disability assessment and eligibility rule, establishing 48 ICF Disability Assessment Centres (DACs) nationwide. Through peer-to-peer cooperation with experts mobilized by SOCIEUX+ from Greece and Cyprus, a Training of Trainers Manual was developed to implement the new methodology, alongside an e-learning course template for assessor training and certification. Staff at the DACs was trained to use the available test results and to better assign the correct IFC qualifier. A workflow tool was created to streamline administrative and scientific procedures at DACs, emphasizing the role of case managers and 86 trainee case managers were trained to support assessment committees effectively, managing e-code information and enhancing vignette development quality. Paramedics and active case managers participated in workshops to optimize test usage and appointment scheduling for clients to be assesed. This comprehensive approach enhanced the operational efficiency and quality of disability assessment services in Armenia.
Improving and structuring social services in Uzbekistan
Agency for the Development of Medical and Social Services of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Type of Assistance
Legislative & regulatory framework development
Code
2022-09
Description
The National Agency for Social Protection (NASP) under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan is committed to reinforce and modernize the offer of social assistance to vulnerable populations including persons with disabilities and older people. In this action, the Partner Institution was supported by the peer experts from Italy, Romania and Poland. After the initial analysis of the situation of organization and delivery of basic targeted social services in Uzbekistan the action displayed, including through a study-visit to different peer institutions in Romania, practical examples and conceived ways of improvement of the existing services. The NASP gained a practical understanding of how social services are set up and managed in communities, as well as contributed to outline a strategic vision and operational steps for the reform.
Mapping and improvement of VET services providers in Azerbaijan
State Employment Agency (Ministry of Labour and Social Protection)
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2022-08
Description
The State Employment Agency (under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection) is committed to improving its services to the unemployed and job-seeking persons in their reintegration into the labour market, which includes its Vocational Training and Education (VET) services. SOCIEUX+ support was requested to map and assess the existing VET providers, and provide a benchmark of EU practices as well as roadmap for digitalizing VET. Swedish, French and Spanish expertise provided the SEA staff with practical solutions to increase capacities of VET providers and harmonize services.
Setting up a comprehensive internal capacity-building and training system for MoSD
The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) of Palestine is the leader, coordinator and organizer of the social development sector and is responsible for developing policies and trends, in addition to the tasks of control and supervision. The MoSD is committed to invest in developing the skills and knowledge of all employees to boost performance, achieve strategic objectives, and enhance service delivery to citizens. As a result of the mobilization of public expertise from Bulgaria, Belgium and France in the framework of SOCIEUX+, an assessment of capacities and skills requirements was conducted. This led to the formulation of a capacity-building and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) training strategy for the MoSD, along with providing the necessary functional design, elements, and tools for establishing a Training Management System (TMS).
Capacity building and functional review of the Department of Social Policy, Research and Planning (DSPRP)
Ministry of Social Transformation, Human Resource Development and the Blue Economy
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2022-06
Description
In September 2020, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda passed the National Social Protection Act. This Act represents a shift in the Government’s approach to social protection, from a focus on poor relief, to a social protection sector committed to a rights-based approach and attainment of Universal Social Protection (USP). To support the implementation of the 2020 Social Protection Act, the Government also developed a National Social Protection Policy to shape the intention of social protection sector reform. The key aspiration of the Policy is to achieve Universal Social Protection. The Policy is joined by an Action Plan that identifies activities to be undertaken in the short term (1-3 years), medium term (4-7 years) and long term (8+ years). In this framework, the Department of Social Policy, Research and Planning of the Ministry of Social Transformation, Human Resource Development and the Blue Economy has expressed the need to undergo a functional review, with the aim of improving service delivery and efficiency, and for its staff to receive training/individual capacity building in order to strengthen effectiveness with which policies are translated into actions and outcomes. In that context, experts from Belgium and Croatia achieved a functional review of the Department.
Technical assistance for the evaluation of the real cost of health care procedures and the updating of the basic prices for the reimbursement of health care services
National Health Insurance Institute [Institut National d'Assurance Maladie du Togo] (INAM)
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2022-05
Description
The National Health Insurance Institute (INAM) of Togo is a SOCIEUX+ long-standing partner. Together, strategic and organizational topics have been addressed, thus enhancing INAM’s role into the management of health insurance, particularly in view of the roll-out of the 2021 Law instituting the Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This Action focused on specific components of health insurance management such as tariffication of health procedures and the assessment of the quality/performance of health service provision covered by the insurance. Experts from Belgium and France helped updating the reimbursement prices of a sample, based on a price-setting methodology that will remain in INAM’s availability.
Strengthening capacities of the public health insurance fund in Uzbekistan in the area of price setting
Uzbekistan State Health Insurance Fund established in December 2020 is invested with the mandate to improve the access to healthcare services and the efficiency of the sector. At the initial stage, the fund is responsible for the formulation and piloting of new public health funding schemes. The peer-to-peer cooperation with the experts from Estonia, France, Czech Republic, and Germany reinforced the capacities of the Fund to manage this process, from identification of packages of reimbursable healthcare services to proposing guidelines for the price-setting mechanism and performance-based assessment. The Fund was also supported in implementing the pilot project in one of the regions.
Supporting integration of NEETs into labour market
The National Employment Agency (ANOFM), the public employment service of Moldova, seeks to provide better and more specialized support to young people who are not in education, training, or employment (NEET), a big and particularly vulnerable group far from labor and often missed by public services, who need a targeted approach and tailor-made accompaniment. As a result of the joint action of SOCIEUX+ and ANOFM first, the assessment was conducted concerning the situation in Moldova and the needs of the ANOFM to reinforce the services provided to this group of users, then some tools were proposed, with a specific focus on coordination mechanisms to ensure global comprehensive accompaniment of beneficiaries, and on operational work of job counsellors via capacity building sessions. At all stages of cooperation, EU good practices were shared by the experts from Belgium, Latvia, France, and Sweden and discussed from the point of view of their relevance for Moldova context.
Set-up of a foster care system for minors without parental support and protection
In Kazakhstan, the Commissioner for Children’s is engaged into deinstitutionalization reform as a lead of a consortium of NGOs, childcare institutions, and state administration. Professional foster families are considered an alternative to institutional placement for children without parental care. Through the peer-to-peer cooperation with the experts from Croatia and the Czech Republic, a set of methodological guidelines was developed with recommendations for different stages of working with foster families, from identification and selection to continuous support and evaluation. The outputs of the action also include the training curricula for prospective foster parents elaborated on the basis of EU countries best practices and good examples from Kazakhstan organizations. Finally, the action was an occasion for the partners to discover the practical set up of alternative care and services provision for vulnerable children during a study visit to Czech Republic (Prague, Pardubice).
SOCIEUX+ cooperation with public employment services: Latest trends and cases
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SOCIEUX+ cooperation opportunities and information session in Kosovo
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The role of targeted social services: Case studies from recent SOCIEUX+ cooperation activities
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SOCIEUX+ initiates cooperation on disability-inclusive social protection in Mongolia
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SOCIEUX+ peer to peer cooperation activities expanded to Western Balkans countries
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Which skills development path is needed to stabilize rural population by developing the green economy?
Department of Continuing Professional Training (DFPC)
Type of Assistance
Policy development
Code
2021-17
Description
This ambitious action, in partnership with the Department of Continuing Professional Training of the government of New Caledonia, is at the crossroads between employment of young and vulnerable persons, limiting rural exodus, climate resilience and food self-sufficiency. The goal of this action was to elaborate a need-based strategy to support agroecological value-chains, by encouraging traditional know-how and acquired skills of members of the Kanak communities and leveraging on traineeship opportunities for women and youth. Experts from Belgium and France produced a thorough diagnosis of the governance of the agroecological sector, a mapping of ongoing green economy projects in place, an action plan to promote green jobs, and a skills reference system for young rural workers to have better access to trainings in agroecology.
Comprehensive review of Botswana’s Worker’s Compensation framework, to develop a national framework reform proposal
The Department of OSH at Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs of Botswana was working on exploring whether and how it would be feasible to replace employer liability provisions with a system of workers’ compensation based on social insurance. As a result of the mobilization of public expertise from Germany, Italy, Spain and Slovenia in the framework of SOCIEUX+, the current national legislation and regulatory framework on workers' compensation was assessed against existing best practice and international standards and guidance and recommendations were provided for updating the current national legislation and regulatory framework, based on feasibility, technical capacity and sustainability considerations.
Operational Review of the National Health Insurance Scheme in Zambia
The purpose of this action was for the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) to optimize the management of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). NHIMA was established by the National Health Insurance Act No.2 of 2018. The Act provided for the establishment of a compulsory National Health Insurance Scheme under the management of NHIMA. The Scheme, as part of the Health Care Financing Strategy of the Ministry of Health, is aimed at providing sound financing of the national health system and enhance universal access to quality insured healthcare services for all Zambians. NHIMA wished to understand where they stand after two years of implementing the Scheme, where are their strengths or weaknesses, and identify potential bottlenecks. NHIMA also wished to gain more knowledge and guidance on strengthening their current health-financing system, as well as to understand possible health financing options in view of attaining universal health coverage. Mobilized experts from Estonia, Finland, France, and Germany accompanied the partner’s reflection in the framework of 3 activities.
Capacity building for the improvement of the Brazilian second pillar pension governance and supervision of the legal and regulatory framework
Cearense Association of Economists Pensioners and Retirees (ACEA)
Type of Assistance
Individual capacity building (human resources development)
Code
2021-23
Description
The Associação Cearense dos Economiários Aposentados e Pensionistas (ACEA) reached out to SOCIEUX+ in order to provide capacity building, in the form of e-learning courses, to members of Brazilian organizations defending the rights of pensioners. ACEA noticed a clear need for members of such organizations to gain more extensive knowledge on governance, management, and supervision of occupational pension funds, in order to detect shortfalls in the system, apply due diligence, and prevent mismanagement and fraudulent behaviors. The e-learnings, crafted by Portuguese, Spanish, German, and French expertise covered topics such as basic knowledge of the functioning of second pillar pension funds, best practices for regulation and supervision of funds, legal and regulatory frameworks governing second pillar pension funds. This successful e-learnings were followed by hundreds of participants from various parts of Brazil.
Capacity building for the empowerment of the national disability associative movement
National Disability Secretariat [Secretaría Nacional de Discapacidad]
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2021-22
Description
The Action contributed to a process of improvement of the institutional framework and enhancement of the Partner’s individual capacities to establish relationships with the external environment on matters relating to the protection and development of persons with disabilities. , both in terms of working in synergy with potential/existing partners (result 1) and increasing their outreach to the larger public (result 2). Empowerment, leadership and advocacy have been addressed as key elements for empowering the Secretaría Nacional de Discapacidad to outreach target groups, including the vast landscape of NGOs defending and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. Peer experts from Portugal and Spain delivered a mapping of the institutional landscape, deployed training on advocacy, communication and networking, and finally drafted a roadmap aimed to strengthen institutional relationships and governance mechanisms for the disability sector.
One Year Later: Understanding the added value and results of SOCIEUX+ cooperation in Peru
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SOCIEUX+ and Employers of Poland further cooperation with agreement
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Strengthening managerial capacities for entrepreneurship and employment promotion in Benin
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Kyrgyzstan delegation visits Finland to study good practices in the area of employment of people with disabilities
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Building inclusive social protection data systems: the Nigerian example of NASSCO
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SOCIEUX+ and Arbetsförmedlingen sign cooperation agreement to mobilise expertise
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On World Health Day 2022, SOCIEUX+ reflects on its projects that impacted global well-being
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The Delegation of the European Union to Mongolia and SOCIEUX+ co-host an information session for national partners in Ulaanbaatar
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Interview with two experts mobilized to work on employability and soft skills in Cameroon
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Capacity building of the employment administration and its public service
Ministry of Employment, Youth and Sports [Ministère de l'Emploi, de la Jeunesse et des Sports]
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2021-10
Description
An initial activity produced an in-depth assessment of the existing state, capacities and needs in governance and services of the Directorate General for Employment (DGE) of the Ministry of Employment, Youth and Sports of Mauritania. The following two activities aimed to help the partner to enhance managerial arrangements and organizational capacities, particularly by providing managers with the tools apt to make their teams to work better, such as job descriptions and performance-evaluation tools. Finally, experts from France and Belgium helped to develop a system for monitoring and evaluating the performance of teams.
Implementation of the Employability Enhancement Project for the development of Soft Skills
National Agency for the Promotion of Youth Employment
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2021-11
Description
The request from the National Agency for the Promotion of Youth Employment (ANPEJ) of Senegal supported by the Employment Direction (DE) of the Ministry of Employment, Vocational Training, and Handicrafts and GIZ Youmatch initiative aimed at promoting the soft skills-based approach in the service offer for young jobseekers. Experts from Belgium and France supported their peers from ANPEJ and DE to agree on a common definition of soft skills, to identify a set of skills most relevant for the labour market in Senegal as well as to elaborate specific tools for job counsellors. A training of trainers through SOCIEUX+ e-learning platform was conducted to enable ANPEJ and DE staff to practically apply the tools and concepts developed during the action.
Modernization of the management of public administration recruitment in the civil service regime of Costa Rica
General Directorate of Civil Service [Dirección General De Servicio Civil] (DGSC)
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2021-12
Description
Through this first Action in partnership with the Dirección General De Servicio Civil of Panama, SOCIEUX+ helped the Partner to reform the process of selection of the personnel of public administrations. Public experts from Spain first looked into the processes of recruitment and selection of the public administration staff, for then putting forward an alternative model focusing on knowledge tests. In the framework of the Action, a test of the new model was done through a pilot project, duly assessed at the end of the cooperation with SOCIEUX+. The latter ultimately provided technical ground and proposed specific models to contribute to the selection of civil servants with a knowledge-based, soft-skilled, meritocratic approach.
Strengthening the institutional capacity of the labour market observatory [Reforçar a capacidade institucional do observatório do mercado de trabalho]
Observatory for labour market [Observatório do mercado de trabalho]
Type of Assistance
Organisation/business strategy & planning
Code
2021-16
Description
The Labour Market Observatory of Cabo Verde requested support on elaboration of its strategic development plan. Experts from France and Italy mobilized for this action supported the Observatory to identify strengths and challenges, better understand the environment and stakeholders involved into labour market research and evolution, find its value added, define a mandate, chose thematic scope of interventions for the next five years and formulate a development strategy. Training activities reinforced the capacities of Observatory’s Technical Unit staff to implement the strategic plan. The action was completed by a seminar where the Strategic development plan was presented to Observatory’s potential partners.
International Guest Expert lectures at Mahidol University: Health Financing and Social Health Protection in Europe
As an integral part of the Master in Primary Health Care Management and Social Health Protection, Mahidol University and the ILO deployed a series of three specialized virtual seminars on subjects related to health financing from the region and Europe. To that purpose, the Mahidol University requested SOCIEUX+ support to mobilize two European public experts for the preparation and delivery of a remote guest lecture to the students of the Master programme. The lecture, delivered from experts from Germany and France, referred to the design, implementation, and financing of health care systems, including challenges and reforms adopted, in their home countries.
Characterisation of the social protection’s supply and demand of the population of informal street vendors in two pilot cities in Colombia (Barranquilla and Cali)
Ministry of the Interior [Ministerio del Interior]
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2021-09
Description
The Ministry of Interior of Colombia wished to look into the issue of informal street vendors with the support of SOCIEUX+. The Action contributed to the territorial implementation of the Public Policy for Informal Vendors in 2 pilot cities (Barranquilla & Cali). Spanish experts participated to the development of at least two major practical instruments, namely a socio-economic analysis of informal street vendors, and a toolkit apt to guide the analysis of the demand of and needs in social protection of informal street vendors, and mapped available social protection options that may be used to cover informal workers from basic risks, such as health coverage, family support, and professional sickness and accidents.
Strengthening the services of the Ecuadorian Public Employment Service (Encuentra Empleo) for employers
The Ministry of Labour requested SOCIEUX+ support to strengthen the capacity of the Ecuadorian Public Employment Service (PES - Encuentra Empleo) to offer quality advice and services to employers and to stimulate more companies to use the PES. The support provided by SOCIEUX-mobilized experts from public employment services of France, Spain, and Sweden has therefore focused, from one side, on a critical analysis functional to the improvement of services available to employers and, on the other side, on the development of a communication strategy to outreach employers. On-line workshops were delivered to present good practices of EU PES and their approaches to and means of communication with employers, as a basis to co-draft a strategy and a communication plan that help Encuentra Empleo to strengthen its the relationship with employers. Finally, experts addressed individual capacity needs on the same topic, by outlining a training plan and delivering short training modules to agents in charge of relations with employers.
To prevent child labour in all its forms, through attention, generation of public policies and restitution of children rights
The Action aimed to contribute to eliminate child labour by strengthening the inspection process run by the Ministry of Labour. In this perspective, experts from France and Spain analyzed the actual practices of the Ministry’s Labour Inspectorate and provided recommendations to reinforce interventions targeting the eradication of child labour. The logic of intervention encompassed awareness considerations, thus information sharing and training sessions aimed to sensitize labour inspectors, by presenting and clarifying existing applicable legal regulations, and showcasing European practices for the protection of the rights of children and adolescents.
Training course on managing employment disputes effectively
The Ministry of Labour in Ecuador is responsible for promoting social dialogue through the Labour Mediation Directorate, by attending hearings conducted by mediators as an effective means of resolving labour disputes and preventing workers and employers from going to court. The virtual training seminar organized by SOCIEUX+ experts from France and Spain channeled to the staff of the Labour Mediation Directorate, as well as to labour inspectors, models and practices for enriching labour conflicts resolution techniques.
Overall Assessment of the Disability Sector in the State of Mauritius
Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2020-37
Description
This action was implemented in parallel to the action 2020-35, with the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, in view of complimenting the efforts to create the action plan for Persons living with Disabilities. Experts from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France and Finland worked towards a goal of having a comprehensive picture of the current actors, governance mechanisms, services, legislation, and policies for persons with disabilities in Mauritius.
Elaboration of an Action Plan on Disability and setting up of a Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism
Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2020-35
Description
The Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity and its Disability Empowerment Unit requested SOCIEUX+ assistance in designing the National Action Plan 2021-2025 for Persons living with Disabilities (PwD). The peer to peer technical assistance represented by Swedish, Portuguese, Lithuanian, and French expertise allowed to develop a plan focusing on services provided to PwDs as well as governance of the disability sector. This plan aims to improve the policies concerning PwDs in the State of Mauritius, as well as the services provided to them, and creates an enabling environment for collaborative social initiatives to empower persons with disabilities.
Training seminar on tools for social dialogue in the framework of COVID-19
Ministry of Labour and Employment Promotion [Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo]
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2020-34
Description
The Peruvian National Council for Labour and Employment Promotion submitted a Request for remote technical cooperation on COVID-19, with the objective to strengthen the capacities of the social actors and officials responsible for promoting the regional and national social dialogue, handling new methodological and technical tools. The Spanish peer experts’ support focused on social dialogue as a mean and a process to address work-related problems generated by COVID-19, mitigating the possible consequences of failing businesses, job losses and possible limitations of labour rights.
Technical support for elaboration of strategic plan of ANPE /Appui Technique pour l’Elaboration d’un Plan Stratégique de Développement de l’Agence Nationale pour l’Emploi (ANPE)/
National Employment Agency [Agence Nationale pour l'Emploi] (ANPE)
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2020-32
Description
The National Employment Agency (ANPE) of Burkina Faso requested SOCIEUX+ assistance to revise its strategy and gain efficiency in the delivery of its labour-intermediation services. In two activities implemented remotely, experts from France first assessed the Agency internal organization and services, then supported the formulation of a strategic plan, as to provide to ANPE a framework for action. The two last activities were implemented on-site and allowed to confirm and consolidate the decisions taken through the distant cooperation. In particular, the strategic development plan of the ANPE was finalized and approved by all stakeholders that will be involved in its implementation (ministries, regional and local authorities, employers’ and civil society representatives, development partners).
National Forum on Maternal and Child Health: Lessons learned from PIMI II (Programa Integrado de Redução da Morte Materna e Infantil) and perspectives
The request concerned a single activity for SOCIEUX+ to participate in a national conference on child and maternal health, organized by the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with the EU-funded PIMI II’s programme. Due to the COVID-related travel restrictions, SOCIEUX+ experts from Portugal remotely participated to the national conference showcasing EU experiences relating to social protection financing and access to health, especially in the field of child and maternal health.
Contribution to a conference: Develop and Adapt labour market information systems
The request by the Social Security Organization of Malaysia was centered on the preparation and delivery of a webinar to enhance knowledge about Labour market information systems (LMIS) by sharing experiences of PES at different levels of economic development.
Soft skills: a strategic challenge for youth employment – e conference
National Agency for the Promotion of Employment [Agence Nationale pour l'Emploi] (ANPE)
Type of Assistance
International events (awareness raising)
Code
2020-29
Description
The online conference « Les soft skills : un enjeu stratégique pour développer l’employabilité des jeunes » organized by the National Agency for Employment of Togo together with SOCIEUX+ and the YouMatch Global Initiative on innovative employment services for youth funded by German cooperation agency GIZ gathered more than 80 participants from 15 African and EU countries to discuss how soft skills – or life skills and competences that are necessary to enter, to maintain and/or change employment, but that cannot be confirmed by formal working experience or diplomas (unlike technical skills) – are changing the labour market of the future and how public employment services can take the advantage of this emerging concept to reinforce the employability of vulnerable groups, including young people, rural population of women. Experts from France mobilized by SOCIEUX+ presented their expertise together with their peers from African Countries.
Webinar on Labour Market Information Systems for the New Decade
Rwanda Workers' Trade Union Confederation (CESTRAR)
Type of Assistance
International events (awareness raising)
Code
2020-28
Description
The single activity was centered on the preparation and delivery of a webinar for staff of Rwanda Workers' Trade Union Confederation to enhance knowledge about Labour market information systems by sharing experiences of PES at different levels of economic development. The activity took place in the framework of the international training programme “Productive Employment and Decent Work for Sustainable Development”, carried out by Arbetsförmedlingen, the Swedish Public Employment Service.
Training of Trainers for employment counsellors on the development of soft skills for job seekers [Formation des Formateurs, pour former les Conseillers emploi …]
National Agency for the Promotion of Employment [Agence Nationale pour l'Emploi] (ANPE)
Type of Assistance
Human resources management
Code
2020-27
Description
Experts from Belgium and France conducted a remote assessment of the capacities, gaps and needs of the ANPE Togo, with particular reference to support services available to young entrepreneurs and jobseekers for reinforce their employability through the development of soft skills. Based on the assessment, experts delivered a training of trainers to selected ANPE’s staff.
Strengthening the capacity of the Employment Administration and its public services [Renforcement des capacités de l’administration de l’Emploi et de son service public]
The Directorate General for Employment of the Ministry of Employment, Youth and Sports of Mauritania requested SOCIEUX+ to formulate an organization audit and address the most needed gaps in terms of individual capacities. Following the assessment, a cycle of trainings has primarily targeted management strategies and human resources development. Among the topics covered by the training sessions were managers’ compliance with the organizational strategy, change management and female leadership.
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Type of Assistance
Legislative & regulatory framework development
Code
2020-24
Description
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) of Armenia has been engaged into a disability assessment reform and introduction of functional and human-rights based approach to disability. As a part of a longer cooperation between the Ministry and SOCIEUX+, this short action conducted exclusively remotely aimed at measuring the participation of persons with disabilities in the disability assessment formula. In this action, MLSP was supported by their peers from Greece.
Building individual capacities on functional disability assessment
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Type of Assistance
Individual capacity building (human resources development)
Code
2020-23
Description
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Armenia has been engaged into a disability assessment reform and introduction of functional and human-rights based approach to disability. As a part of a longer cooperation between the Ministry and SOCIEUX+, this action was particularly focused on building up the capacities of multidisciplinary teams of professionals who conduct disability assessment in line with new rules and using protocols based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) adjusted to the context of Armenia. A team of 20 trainers (doctors, paramedical and social work professionals) was set up and benefited from a training on functional disability assessment logic and practices by experts from Greece and Cyprus mobilised by SOCIEUX+.
Linking disability assessment to social protection service provision for People with Disabilities (PdWs)
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Type of Assistance
Legislative & regulatory framework development
Code
2020-21
Description
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Armenia has been engaged into a disability assessment reform and introduction of functional and human-rights based approach to disability. As a part of a longer cooperation between the Ministry and SOCIEUX+, this action was particularly focused on linkage between disability assessment and services that persons with disabilities are entitled to receive from social protection system. Experts from Greece and France supported the Ministry in elaboration of guidelines for social workers and members of disability assessment commissions on how to identify beneficiary’s needs for social and functional-related services (including assistive technologies) in line with person’s age, disability type and level, administer those services, monitor their effectiveness and efficiency and evaluate them.
Community-based information on prevention of COVID-19 infections
This one-off action aimed to raise general awareness on communication strategies for reaching out to local communities, including but not limited to Covid-19 response. The activity consisted in a series of workshops providing a general-purpose methodology on social marketing and a series of relevant case studies. The result is a set of tools that the Partner will integrate in the current communication strategy.
Strengthening the NASSCO’s capacity for the development of a database of Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs) in shock response
National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO)
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2020-20
Description
This Action fell within the scope of DEVCO-ILO project with NASSCO “Strengthening and Expanding the National Social Registry (NSR) as a shock-responsive social protection system in Nigeria”. Experts from France and Germany first assessed individual capacity needs on knowledge management for informing policies for building social protection systems. Based on the assessment a training was delivered and a methodology and a series M&E tools on tracking staff performance were jointly built. Experts from Belgium and France then provided guidance on data security for NASSCO’ monitoring and information system (MIS). The activity consisted in the combination of synchronous and asynchronous training modules on SOCIEUX+ e-learning platform around the two topics of data policies and procedures and data sensitivity and security.
Assessment of School Feeding Programme for pre-primary and primary school in Zanzibar
President’s Office, Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments (PORALGSD)
Type of Assistance
Organisational capacity building
Code
2020-19
Description
The Action served the purpose of assessing the state of the art and actual institutional arrangements involved in the implementation of the Zanzibar School Feeding Programme (SFP), providing fresh meals to all Zanzibar’s pre-primary public schools. A situation analysis was carried out by experts from Bulgaria and Italy who focused on three key aspects: the optimal capitation grants to adequately cover the SFP’s operational costs; the current school feeding supply chain, as well as the administrative and organizational arrangements in place; and the identification of operational bottlenecks to the efficient running of the SFP. The report shall be of use for the institution – namely the Ministry of Education of the Government of Zanzibar - that will be in charge of running the SFP.
Territorial location of national public policy guidelines on informal vendors in public space: support for pilot projects in Barranquilla and Cali
The Action run in parallel and originates from the same request than Action 2021-01. The request submitted by the Ministry of Interior of Colombia aimed to gain insights that be useful to the deployment of the national policy on informal street vendors, which encompasses both social security and employment promotion goals. Through this Action, the relevant staff of the Partner institution improved capacities and gained tools directed to the collection and analysis of data on informal street vendors, with the ultimate objective of shaping more effective strategies in support of their employability, formalization, and entrepreneurship. Experts from France and Spain particularly looked into informal work dynamics in the streets of Barranquilla and Cali.
Support in the implementation of the policy of health and social action of the CPPF for insured people
Pension and Family Benefits Fund for State Agents (CPPF)
Type of Assistance
Institutional capacity building
Code
2020-15
Description
The Caisse des Pensions et des Prestations Familiales des Agents de l'Etat (CPPF) of Gabon is a long-standing SOCIEUX+ partner. In this circumstance, CPPF wished to explore suitable options for extending social assistance coverage, in particular with regards to health and social action policies for government employees in vulnerable situations. Experts from Finland and France, plus a former SOCIEUX+ partner from Ivory Coast, have showcased EU and international models of health and social action policies for state agents, then co-drafted a strategic and operational guidance note that details the set-up of the institutional and organizational arrangements needed to deploy such a social assistance scheme.
