Políticas de empleo y cohesión social

Although it has no regulatory authority in the matter, the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country has developed its own active employment policy in the form of inter-institutional plans involving provincial councils, municipal corporations and the Basque government. As a result, a range of programmes have been drawn up to improve training and skill-building for employment, encourage hiring, foster entrepreneurship and risk-taking, promote job-sharing, hand-over contracts, etc.). At the same time, various specialist organisations have been set up (Egailan, development agencies, Hobetuz, Behargintzak, etc.). Other institutions and organisations (INEM, social organisations & trade unions) have also acted as agents of the PAE in the Basque Country. Policies for the protection and improvement of the situation of persons excluded from the job market have also been implemented, such as passive employment policies and policies to combat poverty and social exclusion. These latter policies, which are widely developed in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, are ground-breaking, pioneering initiatives in Spain.