Preparing for the EU: Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey

In 2002, the preparation of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey to join the EU moved into the political focus. Such a step meant new and previously unknown requirements for decision-makers and experts from those countries. This is where the ETF project came in. Multipliers from various national ministries of the participating countries as well as representatives of self-regulatory bodies, trade unions, national educational institutions were given the opportunity to gain a “Europe Qualification”.

The project began with a “start-up seminar” for each country with an identical and a general country-specific part for all three countries, Topics were: European integration, institutional structures of EU funding, European Law, European funding and financing instruments and State/Government/citizens in a European comparison.

A tailor-made study visit to Berlin for each country then followed. It focused on the EES (European Employment Strategy) and ESF projects. Berlin has a variety of ESF projects with “best-practice character,” making it possible to develop tailor-made concepts for the individual needs of each country. After the study visit, a concluding seminar took place, with the aim of drawing up a concept for the dissemination and transfer of results and its implementation. Networks between Berlin and the countries involved were established, whilst useful contacts for further joint projects at decision-making levels of the participating institutions were assured.