Expert Network for Analytical Support in Social Policies

The European Network for Analytical Support in Social Policies brings together independent experts on social inclusion and social protection and government experts on social protection systems (the Mutual Information Systems on Social Protection – MISSOC).

The network provides timely and high-quality information to the Commission on social protection and social inclusion policies (and related socio-economic developments and trends) and supports them in monitoring progress within the European Semester framework and against the achievement of the 2030 social targets. The independent experts also help the Commission in identifying and promoting the exchange of good practices and the development of dynamics of mutual learning that can support the achievement of the EU’s social objectives.

Applica is responsible for coordinating the work of the government experts on social protection systems (MISSOC) and for communication activities (seminars, publications and online resources).

Support to the additional surveys and cleaning of data on the implementation of COVID-19 related State aid measures by Member States

The purpose of this project is to provide support to the European Commission in the implementation of the “Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Survey on the use of the Temporary Framework by Member States”.

The main task consists in validating the data on approved State aid granted to companies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemics (and subsequently in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine) in 2021 and 2022 and produce a consolidated EU-wide database.

ESF+ Data Support Centre

The ESF+ Data Support Centre aims to support Member States and the European Commission at the production of ESF, FEAD and ESF+ (shared management strand) statistics, including methodological and harmonisation aspects.

It provides methodological support to the Commission and Member States; develops and reviews ESF, FEAD, and ESF+ data plausibility and consistency checks; and aggregates and synthesises ESF, FEAD, and ESF+ monitoring data.

The ESF+ Data Support Centre is run by ICF SA in association with Alphametrics Ltd, Ockham IPS and Applica.

Ex post Evaluation of Cohesion Policy Programmes 2014-2020 financed by the ERDF and CF: WP1

The ex post evaluation is aimed at assessing the achievements and effects of all programmes co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CF) in the 2014-2020 period, including territorial cooperation programmes.

Work Package 1 will synthesise the findings of the various WPs and integrate them with those of the analysis carried out under WP1 itself. The aim is to present these findings in a coherent way so that the overall results of the ex post evaluation and the implications for policy which can be drawn from them can be clearly seen.

Exploratory study: filling in the knowledge gaps and identifying strengths and challenges in the effectiveness of the EU Member States’ minimum income schemes

The aim of the project, awarded to Applica and ICF (leader), is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the challenges in the effectiveness of the EU Member States’ minimum income schemes. The main tasks include the mapping of existing schemes; the identification of strengths and challenges in their effectiveness for alleviating poverty and facilitating labour market transition and social inclusion; and the impact assessment of various measures aiming at enhancing the effectiveness of these schemes.

Support for Social Protection Statistics (ESPROSS)

The project is conducted for Eurostat by the consortium composed of Applica (leader) and Alphametrics. The overall purpose of the project is to support Eurostat in the continued undertaking of ESSPROS related activities and to assist in the work to further develop the ESSPROS system. There are four main tasks in the project. The first task covers the activities for the development of the existing ESSPROS data collections. The second task aims at supporting extension of the ESSSPROS system through the development of the methodological basis for a new data collection on the number of recipients/beneficiaries of social benefits in the unemployment function. Thirdly, the project provides support for meetings by assisting Eurostat in the preparation and delivery of meetings that underpin the on-going process of exchange and consensus building amongst ESSPROS stakeholders. The fourth and the final task includes statistical training for ESSPROS domain.

European Commission – Evaluation Helpdesk

The aim of the contract is to provide the European Commission (DG Regional Policy and DG Employment) with an “Evaluation Helpdesk” that identifies and reviews the evaluations completed in Member States over the 2014-2020 period, the ex-post evaluations of the 2007-2013 programmes and the ex-ante evaluations relating to the 2021-2027 period; and provides support to Managing Authorities in designing and managing evaluations of Operational Programmes co-financed by the ERDF, Cohesion Fund and ESF (including the YEI – Youth Employment Initiative). In addition, the Helpdesk provides structured information on the outcome of the reviews of evaluations to support the European Commission’s syntheses of evaluation findings.

European Social Policy Network and MISSOC

The European Social Policy Network (ESPN) brings together independent experts on social inclusion and social protection and government experts on social protection systems (the Mutual Information Systems on Social Protection – MISSOC).

The ESPN provides high quality and timely independent information, advice, analysis and expertise in monitoring progress towards the EU’s social (protection and inclusion) goals and will help the Commission to identify and stimulate debate and discussion on effective policy developments and innovative developments in Member States.

Applica is responsible for coordinating the work of the government experts on social protection systems (MISSOC) and for communication activities (seminars, publications and online resources).