EQUAL
DESE and XoP transnational partnerships were implemented in the second round of the European Commission’s EQUAL Initiative. EQUAL is part of the European Union’s strategy for more and better jobs and for ensuring that no one is denied access to them. Implemented in and between Member States and funded through the European Social Fund, this initiative has been testing new ways of tackling discrimination and inequality experienced by those in work and those looking for a job since 2001. The building blocks of EQUAL are partnership, thematic approach, innovation, empowerment, transnationality, and mainstreaming of best practice.
DESE and XoP partnerships co-operated closely in producing Exchange2Improve, as well as under several other topics. DESE had three national Development Partnerships (DPs) from three countries and XoP had six national DPs from five countries. The DESE partners involved in creating this site were Response from Finland and the C3 Partnership from the UK. The XoP partners contributing were PSPP from Austria, Dialogos and EC.CO.MI. from Italy and Rhewin from Germany.
Key concerns of DESE partners were sustainability, credibility and competitiveness of the social economy sector and social economy enterprises. A primary objective was to create a collection of good practice and methods for measuring, improving and promoting the impact and performance of social economy enterprises in the partner countries.
XoP partners improved competencies and skills in managing social enterprises through exchange of experience and parallel development in the topics of: financial supporting structure, agency to support new social economy enterprises, building up regional network between public, social and private partners, evaluation of social capital, improving performance of social enterprises, and new ways to promote employment and entrepreneurship for disadvantaged groups in rural areas.
Acknowledgement
This site would not exist without the truly transnational co-operation and dedicated effort of DESE & XoP partners. The contributions of all project partners, organisations and persons who have provided information to this website are gratefully acknowledged. Thank you!