Transnational cooperation in the ESF helps to develop better and more effective employment and social policies. It proves the delivery of reforms in the Member states, by enabling people to learn from experience and practice in other countries.
Member States have the choice to implement transnational cooperation in three different ways according to article 10 of the ESF Regulation 1304/2014 of 17 December 2013:
• on the basis of common themes (the Common Framework);
• without central coordination (the flexible approach);
• through a combined approach of the above.
ESFA together with the Ministry of Social security and Labour will implement transnational projects using the common framework approach. This framework has two aspects. Firstly it is an agreement among Member States to launch calls for transnational ESF projects simultaneously on the same themes, so that projects in different countries can work together. Secondly it stimulates mutual learning through nine Thematic Networks.
Member States and the European Commission have agreed to focus the Common Framework for transnationality on nine Common Themes which reflect the investment priorities:
Employment
Inclusion
Social economy
Governance and public administration
Simplification
Learning and skills
Migrants
Two coordinated calls for proposals are planned over the programming period in 2016 and 2018. It is planned that in 2018 ESFA together with the Ministry of Social security and Labour will implement transnational projects under the theme inclusion. Agency will be responsible for the supervision of the implementation of transnational ESF projects.
The European Commission has set up a public partner search database http://ec.europa.eu/esf/transnationality/forums/esf-transnationality). Interested project promoters can share their project ideas and search for projects from other countries that they could cooperate with. Partners will sign a Transnational Agreement which will be agreed by the ESF authority in each Member States.
