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Projects

Net-Works

Net-Works

The Net-Works project is a three year-long Erasmus + project with the aim to establish new national or regional networks of adult education providers, and facilitate their involvement in European cooperation.

Presentation of the project

What is the Net-Works project?

It is a three year-long Erasmus + funded project which aims to establish new national or regional networks of work-based adult education providers, notably in Portugal, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia and North Macedonia and to facilitate their involvement in European cooperation. 

Who are the partners?

It gathers partners from all over Europe: ENSIE from Belgium (lead partner), ISEN from Ireland, Ateliere Fara Frontiere from Romania, Galileo Progetti from Hungary, Community Development Institute – CDI from North Macedonia,  Associação A3S from Portugal, SocioForum from Slovakia and Initiative for Development and Cooperation – IDC from Serbia!

What will we do during the project?

During the project we will:

  • Create 1 MOOC on “Networks of work-based adult education providers capacity building”,
  • Organize 5 peer-to-peer sessions to learn more from each other on various topics,
  • Have 2 roundtables to exchange about work-based adult education methodologies,
  • Have 2 study visits between a new network and an experienced one.
  • Organize 2 meetings with experts
  • Prepare an inventory of successful methodologies, a guidebook on external communication, a repertory of financial sustainability and a sustainability roadmap.

If you want to know more about the Net-Works project, the project partners and what are its goals and what it aims to do, go read this article

The project started in December 2020 and will run until November 2023.

Click here to find all the latest news about the Net-Works project! 

Project deliverables!

Country reports

In the framework of the project, the partners prepared their first deliverable, a country report taking stock of the situation of WISEs in all the countries of the partnership, with a comparaison with the European situation. 

In it you can find more about the national status for WISEs and legislations, financial support and incentives, the existence of national/regional networks, ... 

You can find the report in all the languages of the partnership! 

You can find also synthetic country fiches, with a summary of all the information gathered in the country reports in 2 pages for each country! 

Documents

Country Report in English Download
Country Report in Serbian Download
Country Report in Hungarian Download
Country Report in North-Macedonian Download
Country Report in Slovakian Download
Country Report in Romanian Download
Country Report in Portuguese Download

Documents

Synthetic Country Fiche - Ireland Download
Synthetic Country Fiche - Hungary Download
Synthetic Country Fiche - North Macedonia Download
Synthetic Country Fiche - Romania Download
Synthetic Country Fiche - Serbia Download
Synthetic Country Fiche - Portugal Download
Synthetic Country Fiche - Slovakia Download

Good practices

The second deliverable of the project are the presentation of good practices from all the partners countries. In those, you can find examples of WISEs, what they are doing and how they work. 

We hope that those examples will inspire you ! 

Documents

Association for rural development - MK Download
Green Kitchen Cafe Garden - IE Download
KockaCsoki - HU Download
PACE Social Enterprise - IE Download
Proxiservice - BE Download
Dar Sentido a Vida - PT Download
Semear Academia - PT Download
Cafe Bar 16 - SR Download
Golyatobor - HU Download
WASCO Cooperative - SK Download
Resource centre for parents of children with special needs - MK Download
Ateliere Fara Frontiere - RO Download
Chrono - SR Download
Deliverable 4.1.2 Inventory of successful methodologies in regards to work-based adult education Download

Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks

The third deliverable consists of the report "Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks". The report provides information about the various types of entities networks use to establish, information about network's governance structures, how networks engage with members, different income streams for networks and the likely costs when operating a network.

We hope that findings from this report will be of great value to project partners initiating new networks when developing the long-term action plan, as well as a useful tool for already operating networks in order to re-evaluate their approach to structure, governance, fundraising and sustainability.

 

Documents

Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks in English Download
Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks in French Download
Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks in Serbian Download
Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks in Hungarian Download
Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks in Macedonian Download
Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks in Romanian Download
Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks in Portuguese Download
Repertory on Financial Sustainability of Networks in Slovak Download

Net-Works Project MOOC

The fourth deliverable of the project consists of a free MOOC, accessible at https://mooc-networks.eu/! The main objective of the free MOOC Networks of work-based adult education providers capacity building”  is to build up and sustain new local/regional networks of work-based adult education providers among developed and less developed networks, focusing on network building: networking principles, lobbying & advocacy, leadership, and financial sustainability, as well as knowledge sharing/ good practices to encourage mutual learning.

Documents

Leaflet MOOC in English Download
Leaflet MOOC in Serbian Download
Leaflet MOOC in Romanian Download
Leaflet MOOC in Portuguese Download
Leaflet MOOC in Macedonian Download
Leaflet MOOC in Hungarian Download
Leaflet MOOC in Slovak Download

FAQ Collection

The fifth deliverable is a FAQ Collection about the creation and organisation of networks. 

How does a network of WISEs work?

A network of WISEs (work integration social enterprises) operates by offering support for its members and inspiring them, facilitating access to financing, promoting good practices, identifying key stakeholders and advocate for enabling public policies for vulnerable people integration and role of WISEs as a solution for this integration.

Why would I adhere to a network and what does that bring to me?

One of the main reasons is having a collective voice that reinforces the power of negotiation, which allows networks to be able to change the law. Other reasons to join a network are: making projects together, exchanging good practices and sharing experiences, gaining more knowledge, developing mutual support or getting fresh ideas. On a more practical aspect, being part of a network is also an opportunity to group purchasing of services and have discount on trainings or products.

How is a network or any organization structured, who is responsible for what?

It is important to keep in mind that there is a large variety of possible structures (association, foundation, NGO, …)  with their specificities that can be different from one country to another, as there is no unified framework at the EU level. There is a vast difference between networks in Europe. However, there is no perfect structure nor any perfect network organization, it depends on the country, the legal opportunities, and local necessities.

You can access the complete document with all questions below.

Documents

FAQ Collection in English Download
FAQ Collection in Serbian Download
FAQ Collection in Hungarian Download
FAQ Collection in Romanian Download
FAQ Collection in Macedonian Download
FAQ Collection in Portuguese Download

Guidebook on external communication for work-based adult education providers

The sixth deliverable is the "Guidebook on external communication for work-based adult education providers". Its main goal is to provide enterprises of the social sector (WISEs, NGOs, social enterprises, associations, foundations, networks) useful suggestions and guidelines that may help them to develop a new communication strategy or improve their current one

Documents

Guidebook on external communication for work-based adult education providers in English Download
Guidebook on external communication for work-based adult education providers - Short version Download
Guidebook on external communication for work-based adult education providers in Hungarian Download
Guidebook on external communication for work-based adult education providers in Macedonian Download
Guidebook on external communication for work-based adult education providers in Portuguese Download
Guidebook on external communication for work-based adult education providers in Serbian Download
Guidebook on external communication for work-based adult education providers in Romanian Download

Project newsletter

Every 6 months, the project partners are preparing a newsletter to present the latest news about the project and the work done by the partnership! 

Read the sixth and final newsletter here!

Read the fifth newsletter here!

Read the fourth newsletter here!

Read the third newsletter here! 

Read the second newsletter here! 

Read the first newsletter here! 

Policy recommendations

Throughout the Net-Works project, the value of the role networks play in the eco-system of WISE’s at regional, national and EU level could not be under-estimated. The networks play an important role within the ecosystem by supporting and championing their members through a range of activities, typically including (but not limited to); advocacy & lobbying, training, education and coaching of the staff of WISE’s, and facilitating the sharing of experience and mutual learning through organising regular networking events, either in person or online. The networks also have an important role in promoting the work and impact of Work Integration Social Enterprises.

Documents

Policy recommendations Download

Project's activities

Project Meeting in Porto

On the final project meeting, taking place in Porto on the 12-13 October, the Net-Works partners discussed the final strategies for the dissemination and the exploitation of the project, and the last steps to make in view of the closure of the project on the 30th of November.

Read more here

Consultation meeting in Budapest by Galileo Progetti

On 5th of July 2023, and following the methodology acquired in Ireland and the example of ISEN, Galileo Progetti – together with the local partner FISE Association, invited local organizations (Semmelweis University, Pető Intézet, NEM ADOM FEL Foundation and MEREK - Mozgássérült Emberek Integrált Intézménye Budapest)  for a “consultation meeting”. The goal, following the Net-works project objective, was to introduce each other and to build a thriving, living relationship between organizations that provide work opportunities for people with altered work ability and disabilities,and exploring future cooperation scenarios. 

Project meeting in Turin

On 23rd and 24th of May 2023, partners met in Turin for the fifth project meeting. They discussed latest development and next steps of the project, and co-organised with Consorzio Sociale Abele Lavoro a roundtable in the framework of the event "Work Integration Social Enterprises: a European perspective took place". 

More information here

 

Second meeting with experts on EU Policy for networks for WISEs in Europe

In the framework of the WP5 of the Net-Works project, partners learnt on the topic of EU Policy for networks for WISEs in Europe with two experts: Corine van de Burgt, director of Stichting de Omslag, and Victor Meseguer, Special Commissioner for Social Economy of the Spanish government.

You can read all information about the meeting here

Net-Works Project MOOC is out!

Net-Works Project partners are glad to announce that MOOC is out and accessible at https://mooc-networks.eu/! The main objective of the free MOOC Networks of work-based adult education providers capacity building”  is to build up and sustain new local/regional networks of work-based adult education providers among developed and less developed networks, focusing on network building: networking principles, lobbying & advocacy, leadership, and financial sustainability, as well as knowledge sharing/ good practices to encourage mutual learning.

More information here

SocioForum is going to join the Net-Works Project

SocioForum will join the partnership in the Net-Works Project. In a meeting online today, project partners met representatives of the Slovakian umbrella organisation bringing together NGOs from social field. Showing their excitement to project mission, partners and Socioforum introduced themselves and commented the upcoming publication of the MOOC and the Guideline on external communication for work-based adult education providers. 

More information here

Project meeting in Budapest

On 12th and 13th of December 2022, in the framework of the #NetWorksProject, participant networks met in Budapest for a project meeting hosted by Galileo Progetti. They exchanged over the latest developments of the project, including the MOOC, and debated with an experts' table about networks creation; developments and sustainability.

You can read more information about this meeting here

5th Peer to Peer meeting

On November, 7th the project partners met online for the 5th and last peer to peer working session during which they focused on networks financial sustainability. A very insightful and interesting session for all networks! 

More about it here. 

Meeting with stakeholders in Serbia

On the 26th and 27th of September IDC spent two days at Divcibare with a pool of stakeholders in the field of social economy. During those two days were gathered social entrepreneurs, experts in the field of social economy, representatives of the Association of enterprises for professional rehabilitation, Chamber of Commerce, Coalition for Development of Solidarity Economy (KoRSE), and founders of the SENS network. The goal was to review the interest of the participants, primarily social entrepreneurs, to develop further a network of social enterprises in Serbia, that is foreceen in the framework of the Net-Works project. 

You can find the whole story here

The Net-Works project study visit to Dublin!

On Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st September, the Net-Works project partners met in Dublin for a study visit to various WISEs and exchange about WISEs networks and policies. he partners visited two WISEs Siel Blue Social Enterprise and Caffe Together and exchanged with the Irish Social Enterprises network about their work and with the Dublin City Council about their policy to develop social entrepreneurship on their territories. Initiative for Development and Cooperation – IDC, one of the partners in the project, reports about it.

You can find the whole summary of this visit here. 

 

Dublin's project meeting!

On June 22nd, the project partners met in Dublin! It was a very fruitful meeting with very interesting discussions around the project, national social economy legislation, the need, or not, of a legal form for national networks. 

You can read more about it and the next project steps here !

Representation and Leadership in WISEs networks - 4th Peer to Peer session

On May 23rd  the project partners met for the fourth peer-to-peer session to discuss "Representation and Leadership in WISEs networks". This session helped the partners to define some crucial words to continue their work supporting networks building. 

You can find more about this meeting here. 

Webinar in the framework of the EU VET Skills Week

ENSIE organised, with the Net-Works project partners a webinar in the framework of the EU VET Skills Week on “What skills are needed to build a (WISEs) network?” to present the first findings of the Net-Works project.

You can find more about this event here.

Net-Works project's third peer-to-peer session

On December 2nd, the Net-Works project partners met in Tetovo (North-Macedonia) and online for the 3rd project meeting. All the partners were glad to meet each other in a hybrid way to take stock of what has been done in the last few months regarding the project and what is expected for the future  The day after, the partners gathered again in Tetovo and online, this time for the 3rd hybrid peer-to-peer working session, this time dedicated to advocacy, led by ISEN and AFF. The day after, the partners gathered again in Tetovo and online, this time for the 3rd hybrid peer-to-peer working session, this time dedicated to advocacy, led by ISEN and AFF.

You can the summary of this meeting here. 

Report from the 1st Study Visit.

On October 28th and 29th, the project partners met in Bucharest, Romania, for the first study visit of the Net-Works project. The study visit consisted in two parts, first a “good practices transfer” session on the 28th with all the partners followed by a SWOT analysis of social enterprises networks. On the 29th, partners joined an advocacy meeting with the State Secretary of the Romanian Labour Ministry. 

You can read more about it here. 

Documents

Study Visit in Bucharest : Report Download

Project meeting in Bucharest - 28/29 October 2021

At the end of October, the partners gathered in Bucharest  and online to participate to a project meeting in order to exchange on how to build a network. They also had the opportunity to meet with Oana-Silvia Țoiu, member of the Romanian Parliament. 

You can read more about this meeting here. 

 

Second peer-to-peer meeting - September, 13th, 2021

In September, the project partners met for the second peer-to-peer session to discuss "The perks of adhering to a network" . This session focused on the analysis of what the in depth motivation of organisations is to adhere to a network; it was divided into three parts, each one addressing one question.
Learn more about it here!

First project Meeting - 7/8 July 2021

On July 7th and 8th, the project partners met in Bucharest, Romania, it was a good opportunity to exchange about the project latest news and next developments. We took the chance to visit a few adult work based education providers, Concordia, AFF and Viitor Plus, all members of RISE Romania!

Learn more about it here!

First peer-to-peer meeting - March, 25th 2021

In March, the project partners met for the first peer-to-peer session to discuss what is a network, how it works and what can a network bring to its members. It was a very important first step to set up the scene at the beginning of the project!
Learn more about it here!

Kick-Off meeting - February, 10th 2021

In February, the project partners met for the project kick-off meeting to get to know each other and to establish what will be the first step about the project. and facilitaite their involvement in European cooperation.

Learn more about it here!

Documents

Project opportunities

Ensie

 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.