The European Commission recently released a new Guidebook to provide European Social Fund (ESF) managing authorities and intermediate bodies with support in implementing the partnership principle in their Operational Programmes. The guide is relevant for entities carrying out projects under the ESF, since it can help organisations providing advice and tips for what can be done to support partnerships during programming or project phases. The guidebook thus supports a variety of stakeholders in not only complying with rules and regulations but, more importantly, to encourage meaningful applications of the partnership principle to create added value to their work.

The European Union’s ‘partnership principle’ promotes connections between different social actors and levels of government in order to support effective delivery of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). Within this framework, ESF regulations have consistently called for the mobilisation of regional and local stakeholders to achieve the Europe 2020 Strategy. While some member states have more experience in partnership and collaboration than others, promoting a deeper understanding of the overall rationale and added value of working in partnership is perceived to be important to overcome the potential challenges of collaboration.

To access the full Guidebook, please visit the ESF’s website.