Dr. Simon Guentner

1
The role of cities in promoting Active
Inclusion
Dr. Simon Guentner Senior Policy Officer Social
Affairs EUROCITIES
2
EUROCITIES

• the network of major European cities
• founded in 1986
• 134 large cities in over 30 European countries
• Platform to share knowledge and ideas and develop
  innovative solutions
• Dialogue with the European Institutions
• 6 thematic Forums, 37 Working Groups, projects,
  activities and events
• Inclusive Cities for Europe programme to
  improve the involvement of cities in the EU
  Social Inclusion process

3
EUROCITIES NLAO

• decentralised comparative research on local
  active inclusion policies
• Financial support through PROGRESS
• Duration March 2009 August 2010

4
Active Inclusion and Social Services the policy
context
European Social Agenda/ Active Inclusion
Rescaling of resources and authority Welfare
Mix Organisational change
Normative frames Regulative frames
?
Governance Quality
European Internal Market/ Competition
5
EUROCITIES NLAO the approach
NRS 1 Empl/Training NRS 2 Social Housing
6
Distribution of responsibilities in social
service provision1Funding, commissioning/allocati
on and actors
The role of cities in providing social services
work in progress!
7
Current challenges (selection)

• Socio-demographic trends ageing, diversity
• Local consequences of national welfare reforms
• Local implementation and impact of EU competition
  law
• Coordination across sectors (education,
  employment, health and social care)
• people-based and place-based logics of provision

8
Next steps
May-June 2009 National Kick-off April-Oct
2009 National Research Housing Oct 2009
EU Review Workshop SeptMarch National
Research Employment July 2010
Final EU Workshop
9
further information...
10

• Thank you for your attention!
• simon.guentner_at_eurocities.eu