EU Social Exclusion Programme 2002-2006

Call for proposals under the second transnational exchange programme

Information Workshop

Temple Bar Hotel,
Fleet Street, Dublin 2

January 12th, 2005
(10am to 1pm)

Office for Social Inclusion
&
Combat Poverty Agency

Background to the transnational exchange programme
The transnational exchange programme is an EU policy instrument which is designed to promote co-operation and mutual learning between actors in Member States on policies and programmes to combat social exclusion. The programme has a particular focus on the implementation of the national action plans on poverty and social exclusion. The programme is funded by the European Commission as part of the EU Social Exclusion Programme. The first programme commenced in 2002, with 31 projects being funded for a two year period and involving a number of Irish partner organisations.

Call for proposals under the second transnational exchange programme
The Commission recently launched a call for proposals under the second transnational exchange programme to combat social exclusion (VP/2004/004). Proposals are invited from public and/or private bodies involved in tackling social exclusion, including government departments, state agencies, local and regional authorities, social partners, non-governmental bodies, research institutes and the media. They must involve partners in at least three Member States, with a mix of EU-15, EU-10 and EFTA/EEA countries.

Transnational exchanges can be for a maximum period of two years, commencing July-September 2005. Funding of between €200,000 and €300,000 per annum will be provided by the EU, with a maximum contribution of 80% of total costs. The closing date for applications has been extended to 18th February, 2005.

Information workshop on the second transnational exchange programme
The Office for Social Inclusion and the Combat Poverty Agency are convening an information workshop on the call for proposals under the transnational exchange programme on January 12th, 2005. The purpose of the information workshop is

• To provide background information and relevant documentation on the transnational exchange programme.
• To advise on the policy priorities for transnational co-operation
• To provide technical advice on the preparation of a proposal under the programme.
• To highlight future calls under other strands of the Social Exclusion Programme.

The workshop is targeted at national, regional and local bodies involved in tackling poverty and social exclusion, with a particular focus on:

• Government departments and state agencies
• Non-governmental organisations
• Local and regional authorities
• Service providers (health, education, housing, employment, social services, etc)
• Local social inclusion partnerships
• Social partners (employers/business, trade unions, farm organisations)
• Third-level institutions and social research institutes

Information workshop on second transnational exchange programme

Agenda

10.00 Registration; tea and coffee on arrival

10.30 Introduction
Orlaigh Quinn, Office for Social Inclusion

Background to the transnational exchange programme
Jim Walsh, Combat Poverty Agency

Policy priorities in the Irish national action plan
Eamonn Moran, Office for Social Inclusion

Questions and answers

11.20 The main components for a transnational exchange project
Kevin O’Kelly, Combat Poverty Agency (co-ordinator, Mainstreaming Social Exclusion transnational exchange project)

Maximising the benefit from a transnational exchange
Robin Hanan, European Anti-Poverty Network

Questions and answers

12.10 Workshops
(opportunity to discuss in more detail the preparation of a proposal for a transnational exchange project)

12.50 Conclusion
Helen Johnston, Combat Poverty Agency

1.00 Lunch

Details of booking

Places for the information workshop must be booked in advance. To reserve a place, please send an email including the following details:

• name
• job title
• organisation
• telephone and email address
• particular requirements

to [email protected] by January 7th, 2005.

Advance booking is essential as places at the workshop are limited. Telephone enquiries about the workshop (but not bookings) can be made to Eimear Geraghty at 01-6026644.

Further information

On the call for proposals, including guidelines and application form, see European Commission website at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/calls/2004/vp_2004_004/tender_en.htm

On the Irish National Action Plan and the first annual report, see Office for Social Inclusion website at:

www.socialinclusion.ie

On existing transnational exchange projects (Mainstreaming Social Inclusion and Local Authorities and Social Inclusion), see Combat Poverty Agency website at:

www.combatpoverty.ie

Organising bodies

The Office for Social Inclusion has overall responsibility for developing and co-ordinating the Irish National Action Plan.

The Combat Poverty Agency is the state body for developing and promoting evidenced-based proposals and measures to combat poverty.

Back to Top