SO 4.1: Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy

Territorial challenges and opportunities

Labour market disparities exist, especially in rural, lower-income urban and some industrialised regions within the North-West Europe (NWE) Programme area. There is a mismatch between the labour market needs and the provision of public services within and across NWE regions that must be addressed. The negative economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may further exacerbate the situation of vulnerable persons, areas, and labour markets in NWE.

Objectives

Within this Specific Objective, the Programme aims to support projects that:
• Will enhance the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets, promote quality employment as well as empower and increase the employability of vulnerable groups.
• Address the negative impacts on vulnerable groups and/or of those on the verge of facing ‘fragility’ (e.g., persons not in employment, education or training, refugees, persons with disabilities, persons living in deprived areas, etc.).

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Terremplo

Territories for Employment Terremplo

Context : All the countries in this partnership face deep and rapid changes in the world of work, driven by the digital and green transformations as well as population ageing, which has been associated with greater job instability, with potential cos...

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Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy

This Specific Objective 4.1 addresses NWE territorial imbalances in the field of labour market and employment, while also contributing to strengthening social and societal integration. The territorial analysis of the transnational cooperation area highlighted that rural regions, poor urban neighbourhoods and some industrialised areas show higher labour market disparities than other regions in NWE. Mismatches in the labour market and in the provision of public services are observed among the NWE countries but also within them. In rural areas youth unemployment remains high. However, lower participation in the labour market (i.e. economic activity rates) also exists in certain industrialised areas.
The adverse but not yet fully known economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may heavily impact NWE “vulnerable” people, areas and labour markets. Yet, the vulnerability of individual sectors and labour markets may vary quite strongly across NWE regions, but particular attention shall be paid to the negative effects on vulnerable groups and/or on the verge of facing “fragility” (e.g. non-exhaustive list: disabled, unemployed (including long-term), young people, single parents, NEETs, migrants, refugees).
This priority contributes to the European Pillar of Social Rights as well as to multiple UN SDGs, including SDGs 4 on quality education, 8 on decent work and economic growth, 10 on reduced inequalities.
Grants are the selected form of support for this SO. The size of planned operations, and the type of cooperation of target groups beyond national borders, allow for very limited use of support other than grants. In addition, planned operations will not generate significant revenue.