Short Description:
The Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP) is a regional initiative launched in 2016, jointly implemented by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) and financed by the European Union. ESAP aims to promote fair and well-functioning labour markets in the Western Balkans 6 by advancing alignment with the EU acquis and implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Focus Areas:
- Employment formalization and tackling undeclared work
- Occupational safety and health
- Social dialogue enhancement
- Alignment with EU labour standards and policies
- Capacity building for labour market institutions
Geographical Scope:
Western Balkans Six (WB6) economies: Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kosovo; Montenegro; North Macedonia; Serbia.
Key Activities:
- Establishment of regional networks to tackle undeclared work
- Peer reviews and mutual learning among Public Employment Services (PES)
- Capacity building for labour inspectorates and social partners
- Development of policy guidelines and benchmarking tools
- Organization of regional workshops, seminars, and conferences
- Monitoring and analysis of labour market trends through the ESAP Observatory(Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, SlidePlayer)
Implementing Organizations:
- Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)(rcc.int)
Contact / Website:
