The Contribution of NGOs to the Social Inclusion Process

1. The Contribution of NGOs to the Social Inclusion Process Presentation by Milena Černa President, SKOK Association of NGOs providing social and health social services Czech Republic 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

2. Czech Republic 2007Overview of Current Situation • Population: 10,287,189 • Rate of registered unemployment: 7% • Minimum wage: CZK 8,000 (EUR 325) • Average income: CZK 20,000 (EUR 815) • Percentage of people with higher education: 10% 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

3. Short overview of Czech civil society • Civil society has a long tradition dating back to the 19th century • This tradition was interrupted during the Nazi occupation (1938 – 1945) and by the communist regime (1948 – 1989) • In the years after the Velvet revolution (1989) thousands of NGOs have emerged to address various needs as they arise 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

4. Specifics of Czech Civil Society • The legacy of the previous regime can be felt through strong state paternalism, low interest in public affairs and a weak tradition of giving and voluntary work. • After the Velvet Revolution, there was a huge difference between “old structures” (organisations which had previously belonged to the communist National Front) and the new NGOs established after 1989 which formed a new, true civil society. 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

5. Communication between the state and civil society • Communication between the state and civil society takes place via ministerial advisory bodies, commissions and committees on the national, regional and local level, as well as through seminars and conferences. • Moving from consultations to real partnership. • NGO umbrella organisations and networks act as representatives of civil society and play a positive role in developing new conceptions and codes of practice. 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

6. NGOs in the Czech Republic The Governmental Council for NGOs divides NGOs into four categories: • Civic associations • Public benefit corporations • Foundations and endowment funds • Church-based legal entities 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

7. The most important components of civil society are: • NGOs working in the social services sector • Public benefit NGOs • Foundations 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

8. The role of social NGOs • Provision of social services • Provide a platform for issues such as individuals living in poverty, social inclusion, childhood poverty • Act as partners for other stakeholders • Take the initiative in mainstreaming social inclusion, community planning, quality evaluation of social services etc. • Follow examples from other EU countries 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

9. 2006 Social Services Code (critique) • Poor impact on social inclusion • Favours residential services over social prevention and intervention services • No financial equity between the state and NGO social services providers 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

10. Streamlining • Shifting social services from residential care to individual support for people in need following their inclusion into society. • Social services are/can be an effective tool for social inclusion. 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

11. Vision • People agree with the idea of including marginalized groups into society and are willing to help. • Politicians think and act within the framework of the mainstreaming social inclusion (MSI) model. • Usershave access to social and public services and live as other people live. 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

12. Main Goals • To change the public image of people in difficult social situations and people with disabilities, so that they are seen as people in search of equal opportunities. • To provide modern and flexible social services for helping people in need find social inclusion. • To uphold the human dignity of people who are dependent on social services. 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

13. The European framework for parallel development of national social politics • Lisbon Strategy • Open Method of Coordination (OMC) on Social Protection and Social Inclusion • Mainstreaming Social Inclusion Process • Employment Guidelines link to OMC on SP and SI • Reports on National Development Plans, NAPSI and other strategic documents 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

14. The EC has defined a new vision of social inclusion • Social inclusion is a new vision not only in social policy but across other fields as well. • Two main reasons: • People in poverty require welfare benefits and social services but also need housing, education, jobs, transport, environmental quality, schools for children, health care, equal opportunities… • It is economical. Preventing social exclusion can be effective, provided that it is realised across multiple fields. 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

15. NGOs working with and for people living in poverty • Direct social work • Participation in working groups of EAPN Europe • Organisation of international meetings in Brussels of people living in poverty. • Address politicians on the national, regional and local level concerning subjects of interest related to the social welfare of excluded groups • Broad national campaign “STOP social exclusion 2007”. 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

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17. The “STOP Social Exclusion” Project • Monitoring of whether the NAPSI meets the main goals in the following areas, based on the most significant changes and expert’s report: • Improved living conditions for Roma communities (Brno) • Improved living conditions of other vulnerable groups such as the homeless (Prague) • Promotion of jobs for people over 50 (North Moravia) • Conference “MSI – an effective change in governmental policy, strategic planning and public relations” – Opava, October 2007 • Publications on MSI and other activities 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

18. Characteristics of NGOs working with and for socially excluded people • A priori non-discriminative approach • Trust in their own skills and abilities. • Willingness to engage the target groups in the process of realising the goals set by the organisation. 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

19. The Roma community in Brno 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

20. Next steps • More educational projects for target groups • Educational projects for public officials • Media campaigns explaining what social inclusion means • Fighting all forms of discrimination • A better environment for NGO activities • Individual plans for specific communities and their inhabitants 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

21. Conclusions • People living on the margins of society cannot continue to live as if they didn’t exist. • The mainstreaming social inclusion (MSI) concept can teach politicians to include the many different aspects of people’s lives into their decision making process. • NGOs working with and for people living in poverty form the core of a civil society working towards social exclusion. 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours

22. Thank you for your attention skok@cbox.cz www.skok.biz eapncr@seznam.cz www.eapncr.org cerna@vdv.cz www.vdv.cz 1 July 2008 Global ICSW Conference, Tours