Homelessness The added value of transnational cooperation for local authorities

EU context EU social inclusion strategy  Homelessness 2000: homelessness as a common objective 2005: homelessness as a key priority for EPSCO Council  Local authorities 2000: mobilising local authorities in their areas of competence is common objective 2005: call for integrated and coordinated strategies at local level in Joint Social Inclusion Report 2005: call for stronger involvement of local authorities by EPSCO Council (Other EU strategies)  Health  Sustainable development  Regional policy  …

EU Context EPSCO Council priorities  the prevention of child poverty;  supporting the caring capacity of families;  promoting the equality of men and women and reconciling work and family life;  the improvement of social services;  the development of new approaches to the integration of ethnic minorities and immigrants  Treatment of the phenomenon of homelessness

EU Context Streamlined strategy for social inclusion and social protection (2006 – 2010)  Aim A decisive impact on the eradication of poverty and social exclusion  Challenge Bridging the gap between objective setting and policy implementation  Focus Extreme forms of poverty Targeted  Means Mutual learning (*)  Knowledge  Expertise Common challenges (°)  Priority setting Involvement of stakeholders  Experts (*)  Lobbyists (°)

FEANTSA Who?  Only European organisation exclusively working on issue of homelessness  Voluntary sector What we do?  Mutual learning> Transnational exchanges Research  Lobbying Impact assessment EU policies > Influencing EU policies  Facilitating rather than leading

FEANTSA’s role in EU EU Strategy Social Inclusion  Process focused Awareness raising Increasing involvement of NGOs  NAPs focused Joint Report Peer reviews … Streamlined Strategy …  Content focused Homelessness (EPSCO Council priorities)  Stakeholder focused Common priorities of all actors involved in the fight against homelessness

Local authorities Key players in fight against homelessness  Following decentralisation of responsibilities Effective  Funding and policy framework Not effective with limited/no funding  No/limited funding and/or no policy framework  Local level most effective level for Mapping of homelessness Implementation of homelessness policies Evaluation of impact of homelessness policies New roles of local authorities  Financers of fight against homelessness Subcontracting/ Tendering  Innovators of homelessness policies  Defenders of the cause of homelessness

Role of Local Authorities in EU Organisations of local authorities in the EU  for lobbying purposes rather than transnational exchanges Often initiated by politicians  Organised on the basis of key features of local authority rather than thematic interest Big – small Urban – rural Industrial – tourist Opportunities for local authorities in OMC  Mutual learning rather than lobbying Civil service  Organise experts around themes Focused  Social inclusion Demand for stronger involvement of local authorities EPSCO priorities (homelessness)

Transnational exchanges Why does it work?  Demand for information Homelessness strategies are being developed, revised, … New / changing responsibilities amongst actors Rapid changes in the profile of homelessness Complexity of homelessness  Supply of information Similar trends – different policy approaches Successful policies addressing (aspects of) homelessness exists across Europe Why is it supported by the EU?  Learning potential is very high Balanced mutual learning No teacher – pupil relation  Direct impact of learning on policy development Recognition of knowledge and expertise as basis for effective homelessness policies  Importance of ideology ↓

Forum: origin Why?  Focus on mutual learning Expertise and knowledge present amongst many different actors  Homeless NGOs; policy makers; Researchers; …  Focus on delivery Many different actors are involved in the prevention and reduction of homelessness  NGOs; policy makers; housing associations; health institutions; … FEANTSA wants to maximise the impact of its work by involving all relevant stakeholders in the European Forum Against Homelessness

Forum: Structure FEANTSA Public Forum Local authorities Ministries Knowledge Forum Research Stats Thematic Forum Health Housing Employment

Forum: activities Mutual learning about homelessness  Means: Conferences Seminars Electronic exchanges …  Content Issues of common concern for the different Fora Increase involvement in EU policy-making  Maximise positive impact/minimize negative impact of EU policies on the reduction of homelessness and housing exclusion  How? Capacity building seminars Analysis of EU policies …

Forum: role of FEANTSA Promote and facilitate and coordinate mutual learning and involvement in EU Why FEANTSA?  Substantial experience with transnational work in homelessness  Large amount of information already available Research Transnational exchanges  Stable structure in place Office Expert groups…  Tools available Website Contacts (Funding)…  Involvement of other stakeholders is priority

Local authorities’ Forum Who?  Champions of homelessness  EU member states (+EFTA and Accession States)  Representativeness Geographical coverage Small and large  Civil service  Experts on homelessness and/or related areas  Leading group Min 10 cities

Local authorities’ Forum How?  Gradual enlargement  FEANTSA as (initial) driving force Promotion Proposal (2006)  for structure  for content  Development through events Seminar Brussels May 2006 Seminar London February 2007 FEANTSA events (Wroclaw; Zaragoza,…) …  Develop Local Authorities Forum before developing links with other Fora

Local authorities’ Forum What? Mutual learning  Content Themes of common concern  e.g. decentralisation, use of public space,…  Means Peer review Staff exchanges News/information bulletin … Involvement in EU  Content Analysis of impact of EU policies (relevant to local authorities)  e.g. Public procurement, funding possibilities,…  Means Publications Study visits to EU institutions …

Local authorities’ Forum Costs? Costs  Depends on activities  Effective coordination requires staff resources  Initial phase – limited costs  Minimum € Funding  Fees for involvement in Forum Subscription Conference fees …  EU funding - is unlikely!! Structural Funds? (Interreg)  Other sources?

Conclusion Local authorities should be involved in transnational cooperation on homelessness  EU context is right  Commitment of FEANTSA  Interest from local authorities  Transnational cooperation works Interested to be involved contact 

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