How is the Priority Learning Cycle defined?
The Priority 3b Learning Cycle is a dynamic learning process closely connected to the Priority 3b (Operational Programme for Employment Austria 2007-2013 / ESF). It is designed for the TEPs in order to assist in improving the integration of persons distant from the labour market. The Learning Cycle offers a platform for the TEPs to exchange experiences, reflect and spread findings on their implementation of the Priority 3b pilots.
By learning from each other in an open way the process aims to develop the partnerships and their activities further. The experiences gained during conception and implementation of strategies and activities for persons distant from labour market are periodically revised. By recording key facts of the process at this website stakeholders and the interested public can be informed about the developments of the innovative activities.
How is the Priority 3b Learning Cycle implemented?
In the framework of Priority 3b, the ESF department at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection (BMASK) launches several calls for project proposals during 2007-2013 exclusively for the TEPs. The Learning Cycle accompanies the planning and implementation of those pact activities continuously. Varying complementary and interactive methods are used in order to assure a result-orientated implementation such as:
- Analysis of TEP applications and reports as well as other material by the Kooo;
- Priority 3b workshops and exchange meetings for each project round for co-ordinators and stakeholders (with varying settings and on diverse strategic/financial priorities all of them adjusted to the specific calls/project round topics); and
- Development and publication of an online manual, which will highlight experiences practised by working at the interfaces of policy areas. The manual will be issued in the form of a "Living review", and, thus, will continuously be updated and amended.
What are the aims of the Priority 3b Learning Cycle?
The exchange of the lessons learnt should assist during future planning and implementation of the mostly two years lasting Priority 3b projects as well as for the work with specific target-groups. "Learning experiences" comprise manifold aspects for achieving the goals set such as methods implemented, approaches practiced, strategic questions answered and synergies used next to others.
During the process the TEPs are confronted with recurring questions ("cycle"). Those questions comprise, for instance, the improved co-operation of the involved institutions at the interfaces of the policy areas, the overcoming of institutional and systemic barriers as well as the implementation of holistic approaches and strategies by the TEPs.
The Learning cycle is designed in a way that gathered experiences can directly be implemented by the TEPs. Knowledge on how to create an "open access" within offers for persons distant from the labour market as well as expertise on different forms of case management are two examples deriving from project experiences of the first project round 2008-2009. Due to the exchange of this expertise within the process, the lessons learnt were incorporated into projects of the second round 2010-2011.
How are the findings presented and used?
Experiences as well as results gained by implementing the pilots will be summarized in the manual. Next to analysed documents of Priority 3b, the Manual will gather knowledge gained during the meetings as well as during the so-called 'interface-talks' with TEP partners and co-ordinators, accompanied by comments from TEP actors, and qualitative and quantitative results. Thus, also the manual aims to encourage the TEPs to develop the partnerships and their methods further.
Who organises the development and implementation of the Priority 3b Learning Cycle?
The Priority 3b Learning Cycle is designed and implemented by the Kooo on behalf of BMASK. TEP- and Priority 3b co-ordinators as well as stakeholders are involved in the Learning Cycle via Priority 5 "Territorial Employment Pacts" and Priority 3b "Integration of marginalised groups into the labour market" of ESF (Operational Programme for Employment Austria 2007-2013).
