A new call for proposals were launched by the European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion to improve expertise and knowledge on industrial relations through activities of analysis and research, at EU level as well as in comparative terms.

Objective of the Call for Proposals

By identifying convergences and differences in the industrial relations systems in place in the EU Member States and in Candidate Countries proposed projects should contribute to the development and reinforcement of quality and effectiveness of industrial relations structures and processes in the Member States and in Europe as a whole.

Therefore, the commission will particularly pay attentions to those actions addressing  one of the following themes:

• The role and contribution of industrial relations structures, including social dialogue, in responding to the major challenges/opportunities brought by globalisation, demographic evolutions, climate change and technological change;
• The contribution of industrial relations structures, including social dialogue, to reaching economic and social outcomes in terms of: economic growth and competitiveness; social inclusion and fairness; job creation and job quality;
• The role of industrial relations structures, including social dialogue, in the context of the European Semester and Economic and Monetary Union;
• The impact of coordination of collective bargaining across different levels and territories.

What are Industrial Relations?

“Industrial relations” concern the collective – rather than individual – aspects of the employment relationship between workers, employers and their respective representatives. This includes the tripartite dimension where public authorities (at different levels) are involved.

As such, industrial relations refer to the set of rules governing employment and relations at the workplace, together with the ways in which the rules are made, changed, interpreted and implemented by trade unions, employers and the state.

Budget

The total budget allocated for the EU co-financing of projects under this call is estimated at EUR 4 150 000. The Commission expects the requested EU grants to be between EUR 150 000 and EUR 500 000.

The Commission reserves the right not to distribute all the funds available.

Under this call for proposals, the EU grant may not exceed 90 % of the total eligible costs of the action.

Eligibility Criteria

This call for proposals is addressed to non-profit organisations linked to industrial relations – including universities and research institutes –  social partners, public authorities , as well as international organisations active in the fields of social dialogue and/or industrial relations.

All applicants must be properly constituted and registered legal persons. The lead applicant must have its registered office in one of the EU Member States, while co-applicants can have their registered office in both EU Countries or Candidate Countries.

Deadline for submitting proposals: 15 July 2016

More information and all official documents can be found on the European Commission  website.