Civil society organisations (CSOs) contribute to lifelong learning and the development of vocational skills, in particular through non-formal learning activities and support to informal learning. The EU recognises this important role, among other roles the CSOs play, and it provides support to foster the development of CSOs in Member States and partner countries.
Building on previous projects and activities in this sector, in 2020 the ETF surveyed the response of CSOs to the Covid19 pandemic in six countries: Albania, Jordan, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The purpose of the survey was to appraise the dynamics of the CSOs’ operational capacity and their resilience in the context of the pandemic crisis. Specifically, the survey covered: the CSOs scope of work in the human capital development sector, their proactivity vs reactivity in a time of emergency, capacity to mobilise resources (human, financial), innovation and anticipation, organisational learning capacity, complementarity with regard to the action of local and national governments, and plans for the future.
With regard to the CSOs scope of work in the human capital development sector, the questionnaire meant the following:
• Skills development through non-formal and informal learning of young and adult people;
• Employment-related services that support the learning-employment link;
• Awareness raising and advocacy on skills development and employment;
• Knowledge creation, utilisation and exchange on skills development and employment.
This Online event held on 30 March 2021 aimed at discussing the findings of the survey in Serbia with local CSOs and other relevant stakeholders.
Meeting material are available in the attachments below.
The recording of the meeting in English
The recording of the meeting in SERBIAN
Through these country discussions, the ETF continues advocating the important role that the CSOs play in the development of human capital, more specifically in the non-formal and informal skills development and support to employment.
Thank you to all for this very engaging discussion. It was a pleasure to hear the voices of the CSOs that took part in the survey but not only, the uptake from the EUD Delegation to Serbia on how they use and will further use the analysis for the EU Programming support. The discussions and reflections from the ministries of education and labour and their related institutions wete very encouraging. The voice of the CSOs through the ETF analysis and in the workshop add not only value for the analysis but more importantly for the upcoming work within the Serbia government implementation of the Employment and Educatuon 2030 strategies. We cannot agree more- CSOs are key in the processes not only by identifying the challenges but also through implementation and monitoring. ETF is and will continue to be a key EU institutional partner. Together we can do better and achieve more. A great pleasure to work together.
Great discussion indeed Lida, and good that the work of the #CSOs and the government are dots that can connect. The survey results show that the CSOs are planning to increase their action for human capital development in #Serbia: 33% of the interviewed CSOs envisage to do more in this sector and 60% will do so to some extent. CSOs' strong capacity to assess needs of people who are outside the formal education system demonstrates their relevant role in implementing #lifelonglearning strategies in practice.
More in the above video and report!
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