Laps and Raps Interim Report
Project Activities
This section provides a brief description of the actions undertaken during the first year of the project ( reporting period: 01/09/05 to 31/08/06).
Steering Group Meetings
Peer Review Workshops
Local Development Groups
Website
Steering Group Meetings
Each partner has a representative in the Steering Group which is responsible for the development and implementation of an agreed action plan to achieve the project goals as well as undertaking regular monitoring of progress against stated targets and outcomes. The project steering group meets on a regular basis. In the first year of project duration the Steering Group met 3 times, once at the start of the project and thereafter every six months for 2 days (coinciding with the Peer Review Exchange Workshops.).
The date and venues of the Steering Group Meetings were as follows:
- Kick off meeting: Brussels , 7-8 November 2005
- SGM 2: Prague, 8 February 2006
- SGM 3: Rome, 3-6 May 2006
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Peer Review Exchange Workshops
One of the main objectives of the Laps and Raps project has been to develop and undertake four transnational peer review and development workshops. Each workshop brought together a delegation of 3 participants from the Local Development Group that each partner had established at the outset of the project. These LDGs are cross sectoral, and connect into regional, national and local actors and ensure involvement of participants who would bring direct experience into the exchange process.
The peer review workshops need to be viewed as a rolling, cumulative process. The overall aim is to support the development of a common framework and methodology for developing LAPs /RAPs.
First Peer Review Exchange workshop, Prague 8-11 February 06
The First Peer Review Exchange Workshop took place in Prague from 8 to 11 of February 2006 and was focused on developing a concept common framework and methodology and exchange of experience in relation to local and regional action planning.. The methodology used in developing the common framework had three elements:
- An expert paper which presented a concept common framework for developing LAPs/RAPs
- Inputs from partners in terms of case studies
- Identification of issues/problems that need to be addressed
See section 3 of this interim report for the common framework and case studies presented.
Second Peer Review Workshop, Rome 3-6 May 06
The second Peer Review Workshop Rome workshop took place in Rome on 3-6 May 06 and involved over 50 participants who were directly involved in 'LAPs and RAPs' Local Development Groups. The theme of the workshop was " the integration of vulnerable groups into the labour market."
The workshop format involved a combination of presentations, peer review and small group exercises. The workshop commenced with a background presentation on the EU's Social Inclusion strategy and the role of the project. There were presentations also from independent experts from the Commission and research organisations on best practice in developing strategies for the integration of vulnerable groups into the labour market, the thematic priority that was the focus of the workshop.
Several participants made formal presentations on the strategies being pursued in their cities or by their partnerships and the more intensive small group sessions enabled the participants to further discuss the evolving LAPs and RAPs common framework and refine objectives for their local and regional strategies. There was much exchange of experience and views throughout the workshop with a particular emphasis on mutual learning.
As a contribution to the evidence base the Rome workshop report draws on relevant evaluations and workshop discussions to identify what good practice is in the development and implementation of projects that aim to integrate vulnerable groups into the labour market.
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Another major aim of the Laps and Raps project was to establish strong connections with key actors responsible for and /or involved in the development of NAPs. Each project partner has therefore established a Local Development Group which has direct links with such actors.
The Local Development groups meet bi-monthly and provide the vehicle for the effective implementation of the agreed project actions. Furthermore, this group also identifies the three delegates who will participate in the peer review exchanges. Members of the LDG also form part of the on-line mentoring network of professionals who have considerable experience of working in the field of social inclusion. Each member has created a professional profile describing his/her main expertise and interests. A link to these profiles has been added to our website.
Overview on the compositions of the Local Development Groups:
Summary:
- 10 partner cities (2 from the new member states)
- Total of 101 participants
- Gender: 50.5 % Female and 49.5 % Male
- Sector: 26 % NGO, 35.6 % Local/regional Authorities, 12.8 % Ministries, 14.8 % Public Institutions, 9.9 % Academia
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A Laps and Raps website has been created at the outset of the project. It contains general information on project activities, project outputs and the online good practice exchange and development forum.
The website is an important tool for disseminating good practise and the outcomes of the project to a wider audience as well as enabling project participants to maintain contact with each other and to access experience, knowledge and skills of other participants in the project.
An important part of the website is the on-line good practice exchange which brings together access to resources, case studies and connections with practioners and policy officers for developing local, regional and National plans. It focuses on the six priority policy areas and pools the experiences gained within the partnership. It mainly draws on the work undertaken in the workshops but also includes a wider mapping exercise and consists of the following components:
- Case studies from the project partners relating to the area of social inclusion
- Links to reports from the Peer Review Exchange Workshops
- Professional Profiles of members of the Local Development Groups of each of the project partners who have considerable experience of working in regeneration projects/areas and therefore are able to offer support and advice to others who are promoting Local Action Plans/regional Action Plans on Social Inclusion.
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This project is financed by the European Commission through the Community Action Programme to Combat Social Exclusion 2002-2006, Transnational Exchange Programme |
© 2004 - European Regeneration Areas Network - Quartiers en Crise
