Brussels, 08/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - On a proposal from Anna Diamantopoulou, the European Commission has adopted a communication aimed at bolstering the local dimension of the European Employment Strategy. This policy document proposes helping local actors (social partners, regional and local authorities, business, voluntary bodies and individuals) to play their full part in the European Employment Strategy, in co-operation with national authorities and Community institutions, by placing their resources in common and, if need be, drawing up local employment strategies. The Commission also proposes organising a Forum on Local Development early-2003 in which the parties concerned, including those of candidate countries will have the possibility of exchanging information and strengthening the local dimension of the European Employment Strategy.
This communication comes within the context of the Campaign 2000 "Acting Locally for Employment", of the resolution adopted in 2000 by the EP on the communication "Acting Locally" and the European Commission's White Paper on European Governance. With this communication, the Commission hopes to encourage: 1) the dissemination of best practices on local employment development among and within Member states; 2) the development, wherever possible, of local employment strategies coherent with the National Employment Action Plans of Member States. It also stresses that: 1) local development does not only concern employment but also gender equality, social inclusion, economic development, innovation and the information society. The Commission will undertake an evaluation for drawing up future policies; 2) developing the local dimension of the European Employment Strategy requires political will, as well as awareness-raising, experimentation and exchange of good practice. Appropriate tools such as a specific website, research and networking will be developed to this effect.
Anna Diamantopoulou stipulated that it was not up to the Commission to tell local actors how they had to organise themselves. "national and regional authorities and, first and foremost, local actors themselves know better what needs to be done in each specific situation", she noted, adding: "but the Commission must be more accessible to local actors and promote the exchange of information and links between local, national and Community levels".