On September 29 the Workers Exchange Programme (WEP) started. The WEP project aims to support investment in young trade union representatives by establishing an Exchange and development programme for future union leaders that will deliver training, shadowing and networking sessions in order to equip them to become well-connected and aware transnational and Europe-oriented union leaders of tomorrow.

The target group consists of 15 English speaking young CESI union representatives who are already active in trade unionism and workers’ representation in their country. They are between 18 and 40years old and come from different Member States of the European Union as well as EU neighbouring countries. They work in different sectors, especially in the different fields of public service delivery.

The project aims at providing them with a solid understanding of EU institutions, the EU legislative process, the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and its action plan, European social dialogue and the European Semester. Training and information is provided regarding different practices of social dialogue and collective bargaining at national level, youth engagement strategies across Europe and, last but not least, capacity building and communication tools.

The Exchange and Development Programme for Future Union Leaders (WEP) intends to deliver five training, information and exchange modules:

1st WEP training and exchange module with the CESI General Secretariat:

EU institutions, EU legislative processes, EU social dialogue, EPSR

 The training session will discuss the role and functioning of the European Institutions, the EU legislative process, the role of social partners at EU level and, last but not least, the EPSR.

The training will explore the effectiveness and interlinkage between European and national level social dialogues. It will address the permeability between EU and national social dialogues with the aim of making EU social dialogue more known, relevant and useful both among, and for, national-level social partners and trade unions.

The training will also focus on concrete impacts and deliverables of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its action plan.

2nd WEP training and exchange module:

European Semester, national social dialogues, collective bargaining models and strategies

The one-day training will be divided into two parts:

The first part shall be devoted to the European Semester (and its new linkage to the Recovery and Resilience Facility) and explore concrete ways to make social objectives, social partnership, collective bargaining coverage and well-performing public services, centrepieces of the Semester (and the national recovery and resilience programmes).

The second part shall focus on national social dialogue models with a comparative view of the history and functioning, as well as of the strengths, outcomes and weaknesses, of social dialogue models in the different EU Member States. Due to different historical, legal, economic and social evolutions, social dialogue in the Member States differs in terms of scope, legal nature, trade union density, collective bargaining coverage, labour dispute resolution etc. Criteria for successful social dialogue models and collective bargaining strategies shall be established, so that future national union leaders can strengthen social dialogue and trade unionism in their own countries.

3rd WEP training and exchange module:

Communication, social media, writing skills

 This one-day training will be devoted to communication. Social media trends, communication,  not least of all writing skills, shall lead to an optimisation of both external and internal communication (and linkage) between CESI and its member organisations, as well as with key external players. Altogether, the session will aim at establishing a more ‘unified communication network’ so as to enhance both the visibility and assertiveness of CESI and the national members.

4th WEP exchange and shadowing module:

Practical insights and network building at the national trade unions or CESI secretariats

Having equipped the 15 young participants with the necessary basics, the 4th module will provide for  an exchange and shadowing of the participants at the national trade union or CESI secretariats for a maximum of 30 working days. The participants shall be given practical insights from the hosting organisations in terms of approaches, experiences and strategies. The participants shall also remain key players of  network building within the CESI family, as well as essential intermediaries in identifying further young trade union talents.

5th WEP training and exchange module designed by the young participants:

Lessons learned and recommendations to the senior levels

This final activity aims to provide a well-structured and highly interactive event on how trade unions can adapt to the new challenges.

Specific modules will be designed by the WEP participants based on their experiences and knowledge gained

 in the previous modules, namely:

• social partners’ capacity-building;
• effectiveness of EU sectoral social dialogue ;
• involvement of workers’ organisations in the European Semester (and the NRRP);
• collective bargaining strategies;
• communication, writing skills, digital and social media tools – to optimise both external and internal communication (and linkage) between CESI and its member organisations, as well as with key external players;
• promotion of young trade union talents.

The final event shall identify best practices learned during the previous training sessions, discuss avenues for a lasting WEP and, in particular,  inspire senior colleagues of the CESI member organisations to be open to change – and especially to young talents.

A visit to the Parlamentarium and the House of European History shall mark the closing point of the project.