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maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 JUNE 2018 11 ANALYSIS www.creditinfo.com.mt info@creditinfo.com.mt Tel: 2131 2344 Your Local Partner for Credit Risk Management Solutions Supporting you all the way New funding call targets trade unions and employer organisations EU funding call supporting social dialogue between trade unions and employer organisations DUNCAN BARRY A new funding call, targeting trade unions and employer organisations, has just been launched by the European Commission under the Em- ployment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EaSi) programme aimed at supporting social dialogue. EaSi helps the European Un- ion and its Member States to improve policies on thematic areas, mainly being employ- ment, social protection, social inclusion, and working condi- tions. The funds for this particu- lar call will be used to finance consultations, meetings, nego- tiations and other joint actions involving the two sides of the industry, that is employers and unions. The call is aimed at fostering the implementation of European social dialogue outcomes while strengthening the involvement of social part- ners in the European Semester and enhancing their contribu- tion to EU policy-making. Of a high priority are projects proposed under this call joint- ly by employers' and work- ers' organisations which aim at implementing parts of the work programme of European social dialogue committees, as well as measures to foster the implementation of European social dialogue outcomes. Particularly welcomed will be actions such as the em- ployment, social and eco- nomic challenges as identi- fied in the European Pillar of Social Rights; the adaptation of social dialogue to changes in employment and work-re- lated challenges, such as the modernisation of the labour market, job creation and job matching; the greening of the economy, flexicurity and skills; (intra-EU) labour mo- bility, migration, youth em- ployment, health and safety at work, and the modernisation of social protection systems. The Commission empha- sises on the importance that social dialogue gains ground between trade unions and em- ployer organisations. In June 2016, the European Trade Union Federation had signed a statement, giving social dia- logue between the two sides a new start, committing them to promote social dialogue. Since then, a number of funding calls were issued to help sup- port social dialogue in all EU Member States. Eligibility and criteria The total budget earmarked for this call is estimated at €9,815,250. The EU grant requested should indicatively be between €150,000 and €650,000. Under this call for proposals, the EU grant may not exceed 90% of the total eligible costs of the action. To be eligible, a project must include a lead applicant and at least one co-applicant. The lead applicant must be a social partner organisation at Euro- pean, national or regional lev- el. Co-applicants may be social partners, non-profit making organisations, universities and research institutes, pub- lic authorities or international organisations. If a social part- ner organisation representing workers is the lead applicant, the mandatory co-applicant must be a social partner or- ganisation representing em- ployers. Should you wish to receive assistance in the EU funding application process, one can set up an appointment with the EU funding team at MEUSAC on funding.meusac@gov.mt or by calling on 2200 3300. It is of pertinent importance for potential applicants to be aware of the fact that in order to be considered for the funds, applicants must satisfy the programme's priorities. The deadline to apply for this call is September 25, 2018. The author is Media and Information officer at MEUSAC.