This document introduces the 2010 SIRG (Social Inclusion Regional Group) which will be structured as a network of up to 10 regions. It will be chaired by North East England and Flanders will serve as Vice-Chair. The 2010 SIRG aims to engage with the 2010 European Year and increase collaboration between regions by facilitating exchanges of best practices. It will develop an ambitious program of events in Brussels and local regions and produce a policy recommendation document by the end of 2010 on local and regional challenges and best practices.

1. An introduction to the 2010 SIRG
Steering Members
Nor th East England (Chair)
Flanders (Vice-Chair)
West Sweden
Oslo
Veneto
Extremadura
Valencia
European Network of Social Authorities

2. • The idea: Introduction to the proposal
• The aims: What will the 2010 SIRG do?
• The governance: How will it be structured?
• The practicalities: What inputs will be expected?
• Concluding remarks: What is the expected value?

3. Two roads leading to one...
The SIRG proposal stems from:
• A follow-up from previous successful events
• A need to engage with the upcoming 2010 Year
• A desire to use limited resources effectively

4. • A partnership of regions wishing to make full use
of the 2010 European Year by:
– Engaging with the 2010 EU presidencies
– Ensuring local and regional engagement
– Facilitating exchanges of best practice
– Increasing collaboration amongst regions
– Disseminating local & regional expertise at EU level

5. • Develop a network focused on concrete activities
– An ambitious programme of events
• 5 Brussels-based events
• Local events
• Other activities
– A policy recommendation document by end 2010
• Local and regional best practice
• Local and regional shared challenges

6. - Chair working groups
- Responsible for execution of the
work programme
- Draft the final policy document
- Responsible for organising local
events
- Provide resources needed
- Maximum 10 regions or networks

7. • 2 steering members lead 1 working group
• Working group is open to participation from all!
• Each working group will deliver at least:
– 1 event in Brussels
– 1 contribution to the final policy paper

9. • Steering group members input:
– Human resource time and effort
• Brussels representative
– Attendance of steering group meetings
– Engaging local and regional actors
– Drafting of working group contribution to final document
• Local practitioner participation and input in:
– working groups
– final policy document
– Logistics and catering for at least 1 event
– Promotional and reference materials

11. • info@northeastengland.eu
• TEL: 02-735-35-47 or 02-737-14-43
• FAX: 02-735-40-74
• Kim L. Smouter (Chair, Steering Committee) (
kim.smouter@northeastengland.eu)
• Solvejg Wallyn (Vice-Chair, Steering Committee)
(solvejg.wallyn@wvg.vlaanderen.be)