Brussels, 05/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the EU launched its new integrated programme for employment and social solidarity. With a budget of over €700 million for 2007-2013, PROGRESS will support the goals set out in the Social Agenda and contribute to the Union's wider strategy for jobs and growth. It will fund studies, mutual learning, campaigns to raise awareness and support for key actors across five broad areas: employment, social inclusion, working conditions, equality between men and women and tackling discrimination.
From 2007 on, PROGRESS will take up and develop activities already begun under four existing EU action programmes ending in 2006. It will focus on activities with a strong European dimension such as: - Europe-wide studies to improve knowledge of employment and social issues; - training of legal and policy practitioners or monitoring implementation of EU policies and laws to support coherent application; - building networks of national experts to encourage mutual learning and exchange of good practices; - supporting key EU-level networks of NGOs active in fighting discrimination or promoting gender equality; - and promoting people's awareness of policies and legislation in the social and employment field across the EU. Partnership with national authorities, employers' and workers' organisations and NGOs will be a key feature of PROGRESS. A committee of national representatives will help the Commission to steer the programme, meeting for the first time on 12 December 2006. The programme is aimed at national, regional and local authorities, public employment services, companies and employees' organisations. NGOs, universities, research institutes and specialists like statistical offices and legal practitioners will also participate. Activities will be open to the 27 EU members, EFTA and candidate as well as pre-candidate countries. For more information: http: //ec.europa.eu/employment_social/progress. (ol)