Europeanization by it is tools: the case of European transnational projects

In the understanding of Europeanization, specific tools of governance matter. Europeanization through flexible tools of governance enables strategic uses by domestic actors, and does not necessaritly preclude policy transfer or transformation. As long as they favour participation, European programmes can also be analyzed as policy instruments introducing democratic practices at the implementation stage of the policy process.
As this paper will show, European transnational projects on employment and professional training have indeed empowered local actors, and contributed to the transfer of policy priorities and practices. The transnational dimension of European projects can also bring about transformations in the perception of the European Other, with significant consequences for European identity-building. Our empirical evidence is drawn from the analysis of the programme EQUAL -aiming at combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in connection with the labour market- in France and Spain.