Momentum was officially welcomed as a member of CEC (Comité Européen de Coordination – Acting for Social Inclusion) at the organisation’s General Assembly in Brussels on June 9th. CEC is a Brussels-based European network dedicated to the social and professional integration of young people and adults who are disadvantaged in the labour market. Founded over 20 years ago, CEC connects 19 national and regional member organisations across 15 EU countries, linking more than 1,600 local associations and structures that together support 100,000 individuals annually. CEC acts as a connector, an advocate, and a knowledge-sharing hub for organisations working at the frontline of social inclusion. Denise Callan, who represented Momentum at the General Assembly, had the opportunity to introduce Momentum and its work and outline some recent project activity to the CEC members who attended both in person and online.
Following the General Assembly, CEC hosted a two-day meeting of its wider membership and associated organisations. The meeting heard presentations from Yassen Spassov, Programme Manager Erasmus + (DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture) and Anastazija Stupar regarding the structure and main priorities of the Erasmus programme in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). In the next session, attendees heard from Andrea Moreschi, from DG Employment and Social Affairs, and got the opportunity to share their experiences of a specific project and share insights on the long-term effects of taking part in social and economic inclusion programmes. In the final session of the meeting, Idoia Mendia MEP, who is a member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, outlined the importance of social inclusion in promoting democratic resilience and supporting the ideals and objectives of the EU.
Throughout the sessions, attendees shared their experiences working on various EU-funded projects and highlighted to the representatives of the Commission and the Parliament the lived experience of delivering Erasmusplus projects on the ground, the challenges encountered, and the successes and highlights achieved.
As the only Irish representative at the meeting, it was a wonderful opportunity for Momentum to showcase its work and the specific experience of Irish participation in Erasmusplus projects. The meeting was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen Momentum’s relationship with CEC, and also so forge several new relationships with organisations working in social inclusion across the EU.
