The project’s purpose is to exchange knowledge, good practices and knowhow on digitalisation and the role of the social partners within this transition.
Along with the rest of the world, Flanders is facing a radical technological revolution. Digitalisation has an impact on all aspects of life in society: It affects our mobility, cultural identity, social (in)equality, government, democracy, etc. This transformation is much more far-reaching in scope, speed and complexity than the transformations that society has faced in the past.
Together with our international partners, the SERV developed an international comparison which focusses especially on best practices on future-proofing our economy and labour market, on the process of social dialogue and on the impact of digitalization on these processes.
Mutual learning from experiences and the identification of examples of good practice were structured and phased around three problem areas or challenges: (1) challenges for education and skills policy, (2) the labour market and (3) the economy & innovation. For each of the three themes, an analysis was carried out, giving rise to a number of key questions. These key questions were also fed back into the social dialogue and to the social partners in the partner countries.
The output went further than simply exchanging good examples and practices. An information exchange platform was set up, which serves as a stimulus for establishing and maintaining a network of social partners.
This networking model, allows for frequent exchange of information, views and opinions on policy-relevant topics.
contact: Tim Buyse,
[email protected]
Total project budget approx. € 250,000 of which €150,000 subsidized by the ESF Flanders (European Social Fund Flanders).
The various meetings and roundtables were a success. All best practices were summarized in a summary report and the project closed with a conference in October 2019 aimed at both Flemish and European policy makers. The experiences gained throughout the project are of relevance for a broader set of stakeholders, regions and countries. Moreover, the created network will prove useful in the future for further exchange of information or ideas on other topics of policy relevance.
Different views of the various partners lead to different expectations. This posed a challenge but also lead to interesting insights throughout the process. The largest challenge was financially, because the partners had to self-finance the organisation of the roundtable and study visits.
The experiences gained throughout the project are relevant for a broader set of stakeholders, regions and countries. Moreover, the Information exchange platform that has been created will prove useful in the future for further exchange of information or ideas on other topics of policy relevance and will serve as a stimulus for maintaining a network of social partners.
