• Introduction

 

Staff and Beneficiaries Exchange Programme

As part of the programme, there were formal and informal exchanges of staff and beneficiaries with the aims of:

 

  • sharing views, learning and practices,
  • supporting parallel projects development,
  • enabling beneficiaries' involvement and empowerment.

Staff and beneficiaries who wished to take part in the exchange programme, either as a host or as visitor, registered their interest by completing an online registration form. There was also a Staff and Beneficiary Exchange Database that could be searched to see the full list of registered organisations and opportunities that were available.

The length of the exchanges depended on needs, resources and availability and was negotiated between the 'host' and the 'visitor'. Shorter visits might include learning how a particular centre works, its structure, aims, etc.; whereas a longer visit may have included actual work and participation in everyday life of the hosting centre.

Both 'host' and 'visitor' were made aware of the time implications the exchange would have on the individuals involved; in some cases, additional staff cover was arranged to accommodate the exchanges.

The cost of the exchanges were covered under the Equal programme. Participants were provided with the financial assistance outlined below:

  • Return airfare/train fare by the most direct and economical means;
  • Daily subsistence allowance for the duration of the exchange, in accordance with ESF's rates of subsistence allowance for each country;
  • Contribution to relevant additional costs such as passport/visa and insurance, if applicable;
  • Accommodation

One important consideration was language, therefore the translation needs of each participant were assessed in advance of their exchange, so that relevant support could be provided by the host.

After the exchange, participants were expected to submit a feedback report on the exchange and an assessment of whether or not the objectives had been met. This was done to improve practice during the life of the programme, and to be able to evaluate the impact on those who took part. Feedback reports from participants are available to download below:

London/Madrid Exchange June 2007 Feedback (313 KB)

London/Paris Exchange June 2007 Feedback (74 KB)

London/Budapest Exchange May 2007 Feedback (38 KB)

Routes into Activity Presentation - London/Madrid Exchange (7.81 MB)