Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria
CITUB's main areas of work are: labor and trade union rights; employment; social dialogue and collective bargaining, vocational education and training; working time and organization of work; health & safety at work; wages, salaries, related earnings and social benefits; social security and social assistance; quality of working life /including information, consultation and workers' participation/ & living standards; rights and interests of disadvantaged groups /minorities, disabled people, youth, women etc.; social consequences of globalization, economic transition and EU integration processes, etc.
CITUB has participated actively as a constructive partner in many European and international projects aimed at building up and strengthening the European social model, the values of the civil society, the promotion of the rights of workers and employees, etc. Some of the most important projects in the last five years are:
- Security through the law, flexibility through the collective bargaining BG 051PO001-2.1.03 - (2008 - 2014) Operational Program Human resources development
- Information bridge "Bulgaria - Cyprus" BG051PO001-7.0.07-0154-C0001, Without borders, Operational Program Human Resources Development - ESF (2013-2014)
- UPTA Spain - European network for the support of self-employed and economically dependent work - TRADE - VS/2012/0434, DG "Employment, social affairs and equal opportunities" (partner)
- The Role of Information and Consultation of Employees and Workers at National and European Levels for the Improvement of Competitiveness, Employment Growth and Better Implementation of the European Social Model - INFORMIA II (VS/2011/0277) - Budget heading 04.03.03.03 'Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG (2011-2012)
- CC.OO (Spain) Communication Techniques and Information Management Training for European Works Councils Representatives (COM.IN.TRA) Budget heading 04.03.03.03 'Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG' of the EC (2010-2011) (partner)
- Health, safety and environment in the workplace - project funded under the Norwegian Cooperation Program for Bulgaria and Romania (2009-2011)
- Response of Trade Unions in New Member States to the Economic Crises VS/2009/0189 - Budget heading 04.03.03.02 'Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG' of the EC (2009 - 2010) - (promoter)
- Improvement of the Process of Workplace Information and Consultation for a Better Employees and Workers Representation in Europe INFORMIA VS/2010/0142 (2009-2010) DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
- Developing e-learning Tools for Trade Union Education DeLTTUE (2009-2011) Lifelong Learning Programme
- Administrative Capacity Operational Programme for Bulgaria Project 07-23-162 "KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CAPABLE PARTNERS", co-financed by the European Social Fund and Bulgarian Government (2008-2009)
- Learning Needs Analysis of Trade Union Trainers - Match 071201-091130 Lifelong Learning Programme
Bulgarian Industrial Association
Members of BIA are:
- Over 130 regional associations and local bodies of the business
- Over 100 branch organizations constituting a mirror-image of the modern Bulgarian economy. The sector member organizations of BIA are nowadays side on 64 collective labour contracts and agreements
- Over 42 000 active companies
- Out of 300 top companies - 263 BIA members
- Other collective members - Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association; Confederation "Union of Bulgarian Industry"; Central Cooperative Union; Federation of the Scientific and Technical Unions; Union of the Productive Cooperatives, etc.
- Scientific and educational units - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia University, Technical University, etc.
BIA defends the interests of its members in the state councils, international and other organizations by participating in partnership bodies on national, branch, and regional level; by its membership in international organizations; by mediation for overcoming and settlement of disputes between commercial subjects, between trade unions and employers, problems with the state administration, etc.
BIA - Union of the Bulgarian Business is a member of:
- BUSINESSEUROPE - Confederation of the European Business
- IOE - International Organization of Employers
The Association is a partner and has signed contracts with more than 70 national industrial and entrepreneur organizations, descending from well developed countries in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, as well as with American, Japanese and European institutions in the sphere of education, environment, and labour safety, health care and others.
Projects:
BIA has been partner in diverse projects funded by international and national programs.
Some of the currently impemented projects:
- Development of Workforce Competence Assessment System by Sectors and Regions (01.11.2009 -30.10.2014)
www.competencemap.bg, www.en.mycompetence.bg - Enterprise Europe Network (01.01.2006 - 31.12.2014) www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu
- CEE YOUTH - Supporting youth employment in Central and Eastern Europe (01.12.2012 - 30.11.2013) www.skillsforyouth.eu
- TOOL - Training course and Online Osh resources for Line managers (01.12.2012 - 30.11.2014) www.toolboxlab.eu
- CONTRACTERANTO - a communication-tool for high risk work environments where non-native speakers are involved (01.01.2011 - 01.01.2014) www.contracteranto.com
- GO4EMAS: Boosting the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) in European SMEs through the EEN (01.01.2012 - 31.12.2013)
- EEN-PACT: Bringing together the Enterprise Europe Network to improve environmental management in the leather, paper, chemicals and textiles (01.01.2012 - 31.12.2013)
- OPTIMES - Opportunities to improve energy for SMEs (01.01.2012 - 31.12.2013)
Cyprus Workers’ Confederation (SEK)
www.sek.org.cy
Brief History
The Cyprus Workers Confederation-SEK, established in 1944, is one of the most important social partners in Cyprus within the framework of tripartite cooperation.
SEK represents through its affiliated unions, workers in all sectors of the country's economic activity. The mass of members comes from the private sector, but SEK also represents the majority of workers in semi-governmental utilities and services and local authorities, as well as blue-collar public employees.
The main aims of SEK are to protect and safeguard the workers' rights and interests through collective bargaining and to influence the appropriate bodies in forming labour and economic policies through social dialogue on national, sectoral and company level.
Moreover, SEK plays a leading role in facing and tackling the new challenges arising from the continuous introduction of new technology, globalisation and harmonization as a result of the accession of Cyprus to the European Union.
The fighting spirit of SEK and the responsible policies adopted, resulted in gaining the required respect both by the workers themselves, as well as by all the other social actors. It would not be an exaggeration to highlight the fact that the achievement of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960 and the small economic miracle achieved following the Turkish invasion and occupation of 38% of the island in 1974, bare the unfolding stamp of SEK.
Currently SEK is a well structured, equipped and well functioning trade union organization, promoting and protecting the rights and interests of the workers in a successful and effective way, being free and independent from any political influences and democratic in its way of functioning and decision taking policy.
Structure
SEK is the guiding body, policy maker and coordinator of the free trade unions of Cyprus, in regard to terms of employment, conditions of work, wages and salaries etc.
SEK has seven affiliated Trade Federations (Industrial Employees Federation, Construction Workers, Miners and Allied Trades Federation, Government, Military and Public Services Employees Federation, Transport, Petroleum and Agricultural Employees Federation, Private Employees Federation, Semi Governmental Employees Federation, Hotel and Catering Employees Federation), five labour centers (consisting of the local unions of each Federation in the district) and a number of specialized departments in supporting its activities and promoting its aims.
The highest decision and policy making body of SEK is the Pancyprian Congress held once every four years. Second in line is the General Council, the Executive Committee and lastly the Secretariat. The General Secretary of SEK is elected directly by the Congress delegates, the Federation General Secretaries are elected by each Federation's Congress, the District Secretaries by the Congress of each Labour Center and the same electoral procedure is followed for the election of the Secretaries and the Committees of local unions.
A constant and unchanged aim of the Cyprus Workers' Cofederation- SEK, is the continuous improvement of the workers' standard of living. Following a responsible and independent policy, away from any political or other obligations and aims, SEK since its establishment in 1944 is struggling for Freedom, Justice, Equality and Social Advancement.
Affiliations
SEK is a founder member of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), currently renamed to ITUC (following a merge with WCL) and an affiliated member to the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) since 1981.
The active participation of SEK in these international/ European structures, provide the opportunity to promote the interests of all workers employed in Cyprus in a more direct, positive and effective way.
Royal Holloway and Bedford New College
Fondazione Guiseppe di Vittorio (FDV)
Fondazione Di Vittorio (FDV) was established in 2001 with the aim of promoting the knowledge of the history of the Italy’s largest trade union CGIL and of the labour movement in Italy and worldwide. After a merging process, which incorporated in 2015, 4 former organisations (ABT, IRES-CGIL, ISF-CGIL, SMILE) promoted by CGIL, FDV is currently a single non-profit institute for historical, social, economic research and for trade union education and training supported by the Confederation. Subsequently, FDV takes over the long experience in the European projects’ management of the former organisations and is a member of a transnational level network focused on Industrial Relations, Social Dialogue, Collective bargaining, Information, consultation and participation of representatives of undertakings & EWCs. Thanks to an over 35 year-experience legacy, FDV also belongs to a consolidated transnational network of research and training organisations and academic centres.
The new FDV has three main areas of activity: History and Memory; Research; Training. There are also some thematic observatories. The History and Memory Area mostly focuses on the study of the history of CGIL, the working class and labour movement in Italy and other countries. The Research Area deals with the following thematic sectors: energy, development and innovation, economics, employment and labour market, working conditions, industrial relations, welfare, territorial development and sustainability. The Training Area focuses on the fields of trade union higher-level education, and the training of specialists and trainers.
FDV is a full member of the TURI-ETUI network.
Szkola Glowna Handlowa w Warszawie, SGH
Warsaw School of Economics (SGH, Polish: Szkoła Główna Handlowa w Warszawie) is the leading business school in Eastern and Central Europe. It is the oldest university of economics in Poland. Having been established in 1906 its mission is educating economists and business leaders serving the nation, country and the region.
SGH conducts research in various areas of economics, finance, management and business administration as well as in public policy and political science within its 5 collegia:
- Collegium of World Economy;
- Collegium of Economic Analysis;
- Collegium of Socio-Economic Policy;
- Collegium of Business Administration;
- Collegium of Management and Finance.
Students at SGH
Currently SGH offers Bachelor of Arts degree in 9 majors, one of which is European Studies. Masters of Arts is offered in 13 majors including studies in English and European Studies as well.
Each year about 2500 students start their studies at SGH. Each year at least one third of 15.000 students obtain their diploma in European topics including PhD students. 1400 students are studying at the doctoral level and over 5000 are completing other postgraduate courses.
The School has also a growing number of Foreign students coming under the Erasmus programme as well as other programmes. SGH students represent almost 60 countries.
At SGH there is also the possibility to enhance the Professional qualifications by completing postdiploma studies including European Studies.
Research Projects at SGH
The Warsaw School of Economics is a university with over 700 members of research staff specialising in different disciplines of social science, such as macro- and microeconomics, economics of innovation and competitiveness, international economics, business management, economics of transition and structural change, industrial economics and developmental studies, economic and social policy, including R&D policy.
SGH has been deeply engaged in different types of projects. It has carried out 67 fundamental research projects financed by National Science Centre (2011-2015); 27 projects financed from Structural Funds. SGH has been involved in carrying out 6th and 7th Framework Programme grants (eight grants within each of the Programme), and is involved in three Horizon 2020 projects.
Research is often carried out as part of international projects. Each year SGH organizes over 40 local & international seminars and conferences on different current economic and social topics including those connected with Poland’s membership in the EU and Integration process hosting a wide range of famous officials and academics from all over the world. SGH supports its academics in their research and academic works as they can use different appliances to conduct their activities.
Alumni of SGH
SGH is very proud of its alumni who have been holding key position in politics, public institutions, business and many other fields. SGH staff advises Polish policy-makers in government, non-governmental organizations and business.
-----------------
Table 1. List the projects for which SGH has received financial support from the EU programme.
Programme or initiative |
Reference number |
Beneficiary Organisation |
Title of the Project |
Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Module
|
562473-EPP-1-2015-1-PL-EPPJMO-MODULE |
Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
Interest representation and policy-making in the European Union |
Seventh Framework Programme ( FP7) |
613247 – AGENTA |
Austrian Academy of Sciences/ Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
Ageing Europe: An application of National Transfer Accounts (NTA) for explaining and projecting trends in public finances |
Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Module |
562067-EPP-1-2015-1-PL-EPPJMO-MODULE |
Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
The European Union, Eastern Partnership&Russia in a new geopolitical context |
Horizon 2020 - INSO-1-2014 |
645860 – ROUTE-TO-PA |
Universita di Salerno/ Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
ROUTE-TO-PA - Raising Open and User-friendly Transparency-Enabling Technologies for Public Administrations |
Horizon 2020 - INSO-3-2014 |
645884 – I3U |
Universiteit Maastricht/ Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
IU3/INSO3 - Investigating the Impact of the Innovation Union |
Erasmus+ Programme, Action 2: Strategic Partnership |
2016-1-PL01-KA203-026321 |
Lider - Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology Partner - Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
Advanced Learning and Inclusive EnviroNment for Higher Education through greater knowledge and understanding of migration processes |
Horizon 2020 -INFRADEV-2016-2017 |
739511 |
Lider - Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie Van Wetenschappen Partner -- Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
GGP-EPI - Generations and Gender Programme: Evaluate, Plan, Initiate Public Administrations |
Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Module |
575228-EPP-1-2016-1-PL-EPPJMO-MODULE |
Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
Jean Monnet Module on the European Union and the Contemporary International Migration - an interdisciplinary Approach |
Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence |
575418-EPP-1-2016-1-PL-EPPJMO-CoE |
Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
CEWSE – Centre of Excellence at Warsaw School of Economics on European Union’s Security and Stability in a new Economics, Social & Geopolitical Settlement |
Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence |
574518-EPP-1-2016-1-PL-EPPJMO-CoE |
Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
European Union's Security and Stability in a new Economic, social & Geopolitical Settlement |
Erasmus+ Programme, Capacity Building in the field of Higher Education |
574092-EPP-1-2016-1-SK-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP |
Lider - Ekonomicka Univerzita v Bratislave Partner - Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
REPESEA - Assessing and Improving Research Performance at South East Asian Universities |
EC VP/2013/003 |
VS/2016/0305 |
Lider - Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) Partner - Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
DIRECT - The Development of Direct Employee Participation and its Impact on Industrial Relations at Company Level |
Erasmus+ Programme, Action 1: Mobility of Individuals |
EP/16/107/W/0087U1329 |
Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
Erasmus+ Mobility – Mobilność studentów i pracowników uczelni – współpraca z krajami partnerskimi 2016–2018 [kraje spoza UE] / Students and university staff mobility - cooperation with partner countries 2016-2018 [non-EU]
|
Erasmus+ Programme, Action 1: Mobility of Individuals |
2016-1-PL01-KA103-023315 |
Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) |
Erasmus+ Mobility – Mobilność studentów i pracowników uczelni – współpraca z krajami programu 2016–2018/ Students and university staff mobility - cooperation with program countries 2016-2018 |
Institute for the Development of Employee Advancement (IDEAS)
Introduction to IDEAS
IDEAS is an independent corporate body established by SIPTU that operates in the commercial training and development sector. The role and function of IDEAS Institute and how IDEAS can assist in company and organisational level initiatives is outlined hereunder.
What is the IDEAS INSTITUTE
IDEAS is an independent trust and not-for-profit commercial company that provides the following services to employees and their organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors of the economy.
- Certified training and development programmes for employees and their companies
- Change facilitation and support for employees and their companies
- Developmental interventions to assist changes in work organisation
- Individual personal development training programmes
- Project management services for change projects
- Research into the advancement of employees’ education and training
- Other specialist services including media skills and communications training
Employee Training and Development
IDEAS provides commercial and certified training and development courses and programmes for employees and their companies. The range of training programmes that IDEAS provides includes health and safety training (including the Construction Industry ‘SafePass’ programme), computer training, teamwork training.
Facilitation for companies and their Employees
IDEAS provides independent facilitation and works with unions and companies to enable them to succeed in jointly identifying challenges and opportunities facing their particular organisation and developing their responses to successfully meet these challenges and achieve win-win outcomes.
IDEAS works closely with SIPTU Ireland’s largest Trade Union, specifically to review their structures and operations.
Developmental Interventions to Assist Changes in Work Organisation
IDEAS provides developmental interventions including surveys, workshops and diagnostic audits of organisations to establish their current position with regard to organisational change. The organisations current position can then be compared with its planned change objectives and with the support of IDEAS’s trainers and facilitators, the organisation can commerce training to contribute to the achievement of its jointly agreed change objectives.
Project
IDEAS was actively involved in the ANEET project (Apprenticeship for Not in Education, Employment or Training) Specifically, the project aims to create a consortium of business partners and training structures to support young people, who have left school, back into learning. The objective is to create new partnership synergies between these different worlds in three sectors: hospitality, metallurgy and new technologies.
Please follow this link for further information about the project http://www.aneets.eu/index.php/page/2/