The role and involvement of local authorities in employment rate increase
Background:National and European employment objectives cannot be achieved without the active involvement of actors at the regional and local level. The idea of the project SolidarCity has been developed in continuity of 3 EQUAL Projects implemented during the period 2001 – 2006 by EFXINI POLI / Network of 30 Local Authorities and in collaboration with multidimensional partnerships all having experience in working within the existing employment policy framework and tailoring programs to local needs, influencing the employment development policy itself by becoming an integral part of  policy design and appliance. Obectives:Main objective of the SolidarCity project, is to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies  by enhancing the role and involvement of local & regional authorities and civil society in employment rate increase through exploring the parameters which burden the active participation into the local labor market and finding ways to create more and better
jobs at local level.  SolidarCity will be dedicated to:exchange, dissemination and transfer of experiences, policies, strategies and Good Practices in the frame of employment rate increase, match less experienced regions with regions with more experience by involving partners from convergence, phasing-out, phasing-in, competitiveness and employment regions, set up and improvement of LED initiatives by ensuring inclusive labour markets, supporting the inclusion of those furthest away from the labour market, active involvement and networking of civil society with local and regional policy actors by fighting non inclusion parameters (establishment of banca tempo)and by forming “solidarity groups” of creating jobs. The synthesis of the partnership:less experienced regions (BG, RO, GR, IT) with more advanced regions (UK, FI) are matched and there are opportunities to broaden experience and to confront practices with different cultures and contexts
whereas the proportionate involvement is shown through budget and activities.Local and regional actors (regional and local authorities, its networks and universities) will work together to develop a joint strategy and implement measures focusing on employment rate increase. Main Activities: Exchanging policies, strategies & practices referring to local employment rate increase, characterization and mapping of non active inclusion parameters, local dimension of more and better jobs, establishment of banca tempo, forming “solidarity groups” for creating jobs, establishment of "SolidarCity” Pilot Houses. Outputs: good practices guides, policy recommendations, press & thematic conferences, comparative study, brochures, leaflets, newsletters, web site, creation of Banca Tempo. Results: transfer of good practics, positive influence in employment rate increase policies, improvement of civil society involvement.