(1)

Decision No 573/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) establishes the European network of public employment services (the ‘Network’) for the period from 17 June 2014 until 31 December 2020.

(2)

The Network aims to modernise and strengthen public employment services (PES), with a view to enhancing their capacity, the quality of their services, their effectiveness and their efficiency. This would be achieved through providing a platform for comparing their performance at Union level, identifying best practices and establishing a mutual learning system, with a view to contributing to decent work and inclusive and sustainable jobs. It also aims to give the PES more opportunities to help develop innovative, future-oriented and evidence-based policies in line with relevant Union policy initiatives and with the economic, social and employment objectives set out in Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union.

(3)

The Network has been key in encouraging further cooperation between the Member States within the areas of PES responsibility as well as contributing to the modernisation and strengthening of the PES. An evaluation of the implementation of Decision No 573/2014/EU shows that the Network has had a positive impact and identifies lessons learned on the basis of the different activities and experiences. Moreover, the Network has increased its capacity and developed innovative evidence-based measures to implement employment policies.

(4)

In order to capitalise on the results achieved so far and further foster cooperation between PES, the period of establishment of the Network should be prolonged until 31 December 2027.

(5)

The Network should strengthen cooperation between its members and develop joint initiatives for the purpose of exchanging information and best practices in all PES operational areas, by providing comparative analyses and advice and promoting innovative job placement initiatives. In that context, and where appropriate, attention should be paid to PES cooperation to facilitate the integration of and assistance to persons who are covered by the Union rules on the coordination of social security systems. The work of the Network should allow an inclusive, evidence-based and performance-oriented comparison of all PES, in order that best practices in their areas of activity can be determined, contributing to the better design and delivery of employment services within their specific remits. Network initiatives should improve the effectiveness of the PES and contribute to a more efficient use of public funds.

(6)

The Network should support the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which includes the provision of active support to employment among its principles. It should also contribute to a socially just transition towards a green economy and to the implementation of the relevant principles and objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, by enhancing inclusive and sustainable economic growth and employment as well as decent work for all.

(7)

The Network should continue to intensify and strengthen its systematic and structural cooperation with other relevant labour market stakeholders, including in particular Union agencies in the areas of employment, social policy, gender equality, education and training as well as the social partners, service providers in the fields of employment and social affairs, organisations representing vulnerable groups, and local and regional authorities, to promote synergies, exchange best practices and ensure a consistent policy framework where relevant.

(8)

The role of the PES in providing more effective services to jobseekers and undertakings should be adequately supported at national and, where relevant, regional level, with sufficient human resources and financial support for staff training and equipment. The Member States should provide the PES with the necessary resources in order to allow the PES successfully to address the digitalisation of the economy, changing work patterns, including emerging platform economies, and societal and demographic developments.

(9)

Union financial support for the Network should be made available in accordance with the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027.

(10)

The Network and its initiatives should be funded in accordance with the financial planning of the Union and within the appropriations set by the European Parliament and the Council.

(11)

For projects developed by the Network or identified in the mutual learning activities and implemented in the individual PES, Member States should have access to funding from relevant Union programmes.

(12)

In order to ensure the seamless continuation of the activities of the Network, this Decision should apply from 1 January 2021.

(13)

Decision No 573/2014/EU should therefore be amended accordingly,