Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) will work together to further regional cooperation in order to achieve more effective labour market governance in the Western Balkans. The new joint project, funded by the European Union, was launched in Sarajevo today and presented by Goran Svilanovic, RCC Secretary General, Antonio Graziosi, Director of ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Central and Eastern Europe, and Thomas Bender, Head of Unit at European Commission’s DG Employment.

The Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP) project will focus on advancing and strengthening regional cooperation on employment and social affairs through various activities such as capacity building of governmental agencies, tripartite councils, social partners, labour inspectorates and employment services throughout the region, exchange of experiences and good practices and the development of a sub-regional community of practice. ESAP will also support the preparation and implementation of the Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs) and Employment and Social Reform Programmes in areas of employment and social affairs led by the respective Ministries of Labour, under the guidance of DG Employment and as a mandatory part of the EU enlargement process.

“We are looking at about 1.6 million unemployed citizens of the six Western Balkans economies”, said Mr. Svilanovic in his opening speech, adding that the citizens’ perceptions “fully echo the situation described”, since the Balkan Barometer 2016[1] survey shows that “68% identify unemployment as their biggest concern”. “Job creation requires the pursuit of coordinated and coherent policies for generating inclusive job creating economic growth. It demands sustained macroeconomic stability, a business and investment friendly climate, strong human capital and developed entrepreneurial skills, especially among the youth”, said RCC Secretary General.

Antonio Graziosi, the Director of the ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe, highlighted the importance of creating a community of practice among labour market institutions in the Western Balkans and between the Western Balkans and the European Union. “This will contribute towards creating a common culture on employment and labour issues over and above country programmes and projects. It is interesting to note that, while the process of European integration is facing challenges these days, neighbouring countries in Europe continue to see the EU membership as a historical opportunity for enhancing their political stability, economic growth and social inclusion. The ILO is ready to contribute to this process by bringing its worldwide experience to help identify and address decent work challenges and adapt, validate and apply international good practices”, said Mr Graziosi.

The project is supported and financed with 3 million EUR by DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission. The headquarters for the implementation of the project are located in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For more information about the ESAP, please contact: Nand Shani, Team Leader of the

Employment and Social Affairs Platform, Tel: + 387 33 296 298, Mobile: +387 61 77 45 76, e mail: Nand.Shani@rcc.int