Welcome to the second edition of the European Social Network (ESN)'s e-newsletter dedicated to promoting social inclusion.

This time round, we look at some examples of good practice in social inclusion, provided by ESN members in Sweden, France and Italy. We also look at the consultation processes for the National Action Plans for social inclusion.

GOOD PRACTICE// The One-Stop-Shop for Services to the Elderly, Gothenburg, Sweden

This project is an example of good practice in ensuring that the elderly have easier access to services. A single telephone number serves as a one-stop-shop for the elderly and for managing the provision of social services. The caller explains what they need and the staff respond by alerting the appropriate service to telephone the user. (Contact: Lars-Göran Jansson, Gotheburg City Council, lgj@gr.to)

GOOD PRACTICE// Energy Platform, An Information Service for People having difficulty paying energy bills

The CCAS (centre communal d'action sociale) in Bordeaux set up a plateforme énergie, as an advice centre for people who need financial assistance in paying energy bills. It acts a single contact point for customers who would otherwise have to contact a range of social services, local authorities and companies to seek assistance. It offers advice on obtaining financial assistance towards energy bills and on improving management of personal finances. (Contact Kristine Sempien, UNCCAS European Officer: kstempien@unccas.org)

GOOD PRACTICE// Towards a regional fund for care in the community, Veneto, Italy

Many people in the community require assistance at home in their day-to-day lives. The Italian government provides a basic level of financial support for this type of care. However, the regional fund will now be put in place to cover additional costs to enhance access to social services beyond this basic amount. This fund will cover the costs of social care from various providers in the public and NGO sector. It aims to ensure that those who are not able to look after themselves can be cared for in their own home. It will be jointly financed by public and private sectors. (Contact Elena Curtopassi, Veneto Region, c_Elena.Curtopassi@regione.veneto.it)

PREPARATION OF THE NAPs// Monitoring the consultation process on the National Action Plans for social inclusion

Each national government in the European Union has to draw up a National Action Plan on social Inclusion (NAPs/Inclusion). These NAPs will be preceded by a consultation process which should draw on the input of service providers, local authorities, NGOs and other stakeholders.

ESN monitored the consultation process on the 2003-2005 NAP/Inclusion and is continuing this work over the coming months for the 2006-2008 NAP. There are various models of consultation processes: from a general request for input from stakeholders to a more rigorous and directed approach.

Ireland's Office for Social Inclusion, for example, has put in place a detailed consultation process. It began in September 2005 with an awareness-raising campaign via advertisements in the national media. Input was then sought in various ways, via thematic seminars, e.g. on income support and homelessness) across the country and at a broader Social Inclusion Forum. The process was completed in March 2006 with a consultative seminar with the aim of obtaining views from local authorities specifically to feed into the next NAP/Inclusion.

You can view the latest update on the preparation of the NAPs as well as a provisional contact list of the responsible officials in your country here. There will be a further update with the next edition of this e-newsletter.

ESN is keen to hear from you about your experience of the preparation of the NAPs/Inclusion: what is the situation in your country? Have you taken part in any consultation meetings? Have you been informed by your national government about the NAPs? Write to us at stephen.barnett@socialeurope.com.

EU SOCIAL INCLUSION POLICY// Have your say on a forthcoming proposal on active inclusion

The European Commission recently published a consultation document on possible new EU action to promote the active inclusion in the labour market. It assesses the current situation in this area and puts forward three broad questions about the direction a new proposal should take. This consultation is a good opportunity to influence the development of EU policy at an early stage. ESN is planning to draw on the expertise of its members to submit a contribution. The Secretariat will contact network members separately about this within the next week.

The next e-newsletter will come out in April. It will feature:

• a further update on the consultation process for the NAPs/Inclusion
• a briefing on the ESN's Barcelona seminar on access to quality services in March
• a look ahead to the ESN's Venice seminar in July on antidiscrimination