FUTURISME I

The future of Social Dialogue in SMEs

FUTURISME - Future of Social Dialogue in SMEs" is a project of UEAPME and the ãAcademy Avignon" (European Academy for Craft-Trades and SMEs) to anticipate and prepare for new challenges of working relations in SMEs and craft-trades. The project is co-financed by the European Commission (European Social Funds) and builds on the long lasting experience of working relations in craft-trades and SMEs including the social dialogue, represented by UEAPME and its member organisations, as well as on comprehensive discussions with representatives of European Trade Unions.

National and European policy makers regularly underline the importance of crafts-trades and SMEs in terms of job creation, vocational training and social stability as key elements to overcome the current employment crisis in Europe. Also, for the aim of a successful enlargement process of the European Union, SMEs and their working relations will be of crucial importance for the creation of more dynamism, welfare and social stability. This important role of SME was again emphasised at the Lisbon Summit this year.

The partners in SME working relations and their social dialogues have to play their role in surmounting these challenges. FUTURISME takes up this responsibility and tries to find out new and efficient concepts and models for co-operation between social partners, on different levels, to meet these challenges.

More info at www.ueapme.com/futurisme