The European Social Fund and domestic activation policies: Europeanization mechanisms

Abstract

This article analyses the effects of the European Social Fund (ESF) on domestic activation policies in the three Belgian regions: Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. We argue that over the last decade the ESF has had a catalytic impact, first on the innovation of activation instruments, second on the governance of employment policies and third on policy framing. We explain how three different mechanisms (leverage, conditionality and learning) generate these effects and how they can account for a differential influence in different regions. We conclude by summarizing our research findings and framework, suggesting its usefulness for analyzing other domestic settings and European policy instruments.

La centralización de la gobernanza territorial en las políticas activas del mercado de trabajo en España durante la Gran Recesión (2011-2016)

“…En cuarto lugar, diferentes autores ponen de relieve el papel jugado por actores de carácter internacional como la UE en el desarrollo de las políticas sociales, incluidas las de activación (Heidenreich y Zeitlin, 2009;López-Santana, 2009;Verschraegen et al, 2011). En el ámbito de las políticas de empleo, la verdadera implicación del nivel supranacional de gobierno comenzó con la EEE de finales de los 90, y las consiguientes reformas a nivel nacional, que priorizaron la inclusión activa de las personas desempleadas en el mercado de trabajo (Bonoli, 2010).…”

“…Todo ello complementado con recursos como los asignados el Fondo Social Europeo (FSE), especialmente relevantes en el caso de las PAMT (Verschraegen et al, 2011).…”

Introduction: how to achieve Active Inclusion in a multi-layered Political context?

“…While the European Social Fund in particular is highly relevant for the fight against poverty and social exclusion (Allen, 2005;Verschraegen et al, 2011), until recently few publications analysing EU regional policy had brought out this aspect. With the impressive study 'The Territorial Dimension of Poverty and Social Exclusion in Europe' (TiPSE, 2014), under the ESPON programme, this is likely to change.…”

Re-compartmentalizing local policies? The translation and mediation of European structural funds in Sweden

“…Verschraegen, Vanhercke, and Verpoorten 2011;Sanchez Salgado 2013). Theories that fall under the conceptual umbrella of Europeanization are generally employed to understand the forms and shapes of the EU's influence on its member states, including changes or adjustments in national institutions and policy-making as a result of EU governance (Cort 2010;Tonra 2015;Börzel and Risse 2003).…”

“…Vesterberg 2016; Dahlstedt 2013) as well as in other European countries (see e.g. Sanchez Salgado 2013; Verschraegen, Vanhercke, and Verpoorten 2011). Within the EU context, employability is described as an ambition to 'tackle youth unemployment by improving young people's skills and employability' (https://europa.eu).…”