Socijalna uključenost

PROGRESS is the EU's employment and social solidarity programme. It was established to support financially the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, as set out in the Social Agenda. It also contributes to the achievement of the EU 'Lisbon' Growth and Jobs Strategy . The Lisbon Strategy is a strategy of structural economic reform based on partnership between the Member States and the European Commission to encourage more growth and more job creation in the European Union.

Partnership is necessary because close economic ties between Member States mean that the economic effects of policy measures ripple across the EU and so need some coordination to reap their maximum beneficial economic impact.

Working alongside the European Social Fund (ESF) (The European Social Fund (ESF) is one of the EU's Structural Funds, set up to reduce differences in prosperity and living standards across EU Member States and regions, and therefore promoting economic and social cohesion. ), PROGRESS started in 2007 and will run until 2013. This programme replaces the four previous ones that ended in 2006 covering actions against discrimination, equality between men and women, employment measures and the fight against social exclusion. The EU opted for a single programme to rationalise and streamline EU funding and concentrate its activities to improve the impact.PROGRESS will ensure that EU social policy remains on course to face the key policy challenges and concentrate on actions that need a combined European effort. It will work to support Member States to ensure they deliver on their commitments to create more and better jobs, to guarantee equal opportunities for all and to implement EU laws uniformly. PROGRESS has a global budget of € 743,25 million for seven years (2007-2013). The EU will use this budget to act as a catalyst for change and modernisation in five areas:

• Employment  (http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/employment_strategy/index_en.htm)
• Social inclusion and protection (http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_inclusion/index_en.htm)
• Working conditions (http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/work_conditions/index_en.htm)
• Non-discrimination  (http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/index_en.htm)
• Gender equality (http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/gender_equality/index_en.html)

PROGRESS is open to the 27 EU Member States, EU candidate and EFTA/EEA countries. It targets Member States, local and regional authorities, public employment services and national statistics offices. Specialised bodies, universities and research institutes, as well as the social partners and non-governmental organisations can participate.