The 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group
Introduction
Welcome to the webpage dedicated to the 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group. Established in 2009, the 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group aims to be a leading catalyst for local and regional actors in response to the European flagship initiative the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
Recognising local and regional actors’ leading roles in delivering front-line public and private services to tackle poverty and social exclusion, the 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group provides a platform for the dissemination and exchange of best practice with view of improving service delivery at the local and regional level, and also to better inform Europe on the realities experienced at the grassroots.
Who are we?
The 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group is a transnational coalition of local and regional actors keen to respond proactively to the opportunities of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The 2010 SIRG is an expert stakeholder at the European level for the Year, and is also an official partner of the Year.
Behind the common platform of the Social Inclusion Regional Group sits a wide diversity of Brussels-based regional and local representation offices who themselves represent the interests of local and regional actors from across Europe.
We work thematically, having selected the following thematic priorities:
- Eradicating Child Poverty
- Supporting Inclusive Labour Markets
- Ensuring Access to Quality Social Services and Decent Housing
- Supporting the Equalities and Non-Discrimination Agenda
- Tackling Financial Exclusion and Over-Indebtedness
Why this initiative?
The 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group was established following the publication of a proposal document by the North East England Office in Brussels and the Flanders-Europe Liaison Agency calling for a rationalisation of efforts during the 2010 European Year. By rationalising efforts and working together, the funding partners of local and regional offices based in Brussels could ensure a higher quality of events, better dissemination for exposed best practices, and an efficient sharing of costs in the light of strained public budgets resulting from the economic crisis.
The 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group also responds to a desire by a number of local and regional actors to be more actively consulted on the future of European social policy with an acknowledgment of the front-line role played by the local and regional level and a greater engagement
How are we organised?
Led by a Steering Group
The 2010 SIRG is led by a steering group of regions who have elected to allocate financial and human resources for the programming of events and activities. The steering group is currently drafting a joint work programme which will serve as the terms of reference for the 2010 Year. Many of the regions sitting on the steering group represent both the local and regional level. At present, the steering group includes the following regions and networks:
- North East England – United Kingdom (Chair of the Steering Group)
- Flanders – Belgium
- Veneto - Italy
- West Sweden - Sweden
- Oslo Region - Norway
- Valencian Region - Spain
- Extremadura - Spain
- North Hungary - Hungary
- ENSA (European Network of Social Authorities) – Europe
We are currently recruiting additional steering group members from the so-called New Member States to ensure we offer a geographically balanced representation amongst the steering group.
Supported by 4 Working Groups
For each of our thematic priorities, we have established working groups which are co-chaired by two of our steering group members. Our working groups are open to participation from all local and regional actors within the participating countries of the European Year. We aim to collaborate with key European stakeholders and our local and regional grassroots to enrich the content of our deliberations.
Each working group is tasked with delivering at least one event in Brussels, and providing the conclusions of the event to as a contribution to a common best practice guide and recommendation document that we will publish at the end of the 2010 European Year.
What are our planned activities?
The 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group aims for 2010 to be a dynamic and opportunity-filled occasion for local and regional actors. To that end we are collaborating together to offer a coherent programme of activities throughout the year. Events will be taking place both in Brussels but also in participating regions and local authorities. Come back regularly as we further define this calendar of activities.
February 2010
23/02/2010 - Brussels – Launch Event of the 2010 SIRG / Report of the Launch Event
March 2010
10/03/2010 – Brussels – Meeting of the Working Group on Equalities & Non-Discrimination: focus on gender equality and social inclusion from a regional perspective.
Local authorities involved: Oslo Region European Office, Valencian Region and Valencian Regional Office in Brussels, North West England, Ile-de-France, Andalucia, City of Budapest, Regione Puglia
June 2010
07/06/2010 – Committee of the Regions, Brussels – Meeting of the Working Group on Inclusive Labour Markets: New Job Markets for Inclusion
The European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion has been on local and regional actors’ agendas since 2009 when the 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group was created. This group is now engaging dozens of regions across Europe. Led by a small steering group, the SIRG has established thematic working groups that will organize events and contribute to a joint best-practice and recommendations guide that will be published at the end of the year.
One of these thematic working groups is the INCLUSIVE LABOUR MARKETS WG. As the Strategic Framework Document for the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion states, promoting labour markets for inclusion and eradicating the disavantages in the field of education and training are some of the priority areas in which to carry out the objectives of the European Year 2010.
These priorities are set in the context of a changing global society and a global economic crisis period which, triggered in late 2008, has furthermore aggravated the unemployment problem, both what regards labour market access and permanence in it. Therefore, we believe that it is crucial, especially at the present moment, for regional and local authorities to share their experiences and best practices in promoting inclusive labour markets and tackling long term unemployment. The conference will therefore bring together experts from authorities, organizations and institutions at European, regional and local level to discuss different measures and initiatives, such as the promotion of inclusive labour markets through the re-skilling of workers, anti-crisis measures for job creation and community coaches for the inclusion of the people who stands furthest from the labour market.
Prior to the Forum of the CoR « Local and regional responses to poverty and social exclusion » on 8th June and to complement it, Extremadura and West Sweden would like to invite you to the seminar « New Labour Markets for Inclusion » which will be held on 7th June at the CoR premises.
Click here for more information and updated programme.
Please confirm your attendance before 4th June by mail to: sofie.ahlin@westsweden.se.
September 2010
14/09/2010 – Liaison Agency Flanders-Europe, Brussels – Meeting of the Working Group on Financial Inclusion & Over-Indebtedness
XX/09/2010 – Brussels – Cultural Showcase – TBC
XX/09/2010 – Brussels – Meeting of the Working Group on Child Poverty
October 2010
XX/10/2010 – Brussels – Meeting of the Working Group on Decent Housing & Quality Social Services
November 2010
XX/11/2010 – Brussels (TBC) – SIRG/Belgian Presidency Event
December 2010
XX/12/2010 – Brussels – Closing Event of the 2010 SIRG
How can my region or local authority join the 2010 SIRG?
Joining the steering group
The 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group’s steering committee is open to a limited number of regions, local authorities, and networks representing these levels. For information about current open slots on the steering group, please contact Kim Smouter, EU Skills & Employability Policy Specialist Advisor, North East England Office in his capacity as chair of the steering group.
Members of the steering committee co-chair at least one of the working groups, sharing the costs linked to delivering activities of the working group and also participate in regular meetings of the steering committee. They are highly visible leaders of the SIRG.
Joining a working group
Working group membership is open to all interested local and regional authorities having an interest in the themes of the working group. Being a member of the working group does not entail any specific responsibilities. In order to join the working group, please contact the contact persons of the region in charge who will be in a position to inform you of the current opportunities and activities:
o Flanders
o Veneto
o West Sweden
o Extremadura
o Open
o Open
o Valencian Region
o Oslo Region
o North East England
o Flanders
