Ludo Horemans - EAPN President Social Services – A Tool for Mobilizing Workforce and Strengthening Social Cohesion Prague, 22-23 April 2009 Quality, accessible social services for the fight against poverty: a crucial need in times of crisis Ludo Horemans - EAPN President

(European Anti Poverty Network) What is EAPN ? (European Anti Poverty Network)  EAPN is an independent coalition of NGOs and groups involved in the fight against poverty in the EU.  EAPN is a large network of 25 national networks of anti-poverty NGOs and grassroot groups in the EU and 22 European Organisations active in the field of poverty and social exclusion  Experiences from the European Meetings of People Experienc ing Poverty

what are we talking about? Social services: what are we talking about? Services Directive 12/12/2006 - Article 2 : … excluded… “social services relating to social housing, childcare and support of families and persons permanently or temporarily in need which are provided by the State, by providers mandated by the State or by charities recognised as such by the State”. Exclusion of Social Services from the Services Directive (12/12/06): Article 2: Scope- “social services relating to social housing, childcare and support of families and persons permanently or temporarily in need which are provided by the State, by providers mandated by the State or by charities recognised as such by the State”.

what are we talking about? Social services: what are we talking about? EC Communication: Services of general interest, including social services of general interest: a new European commitment (20/11/2007): “… the Commission will support cross-European bottom-up initiatives aimed at developing voluntary quality standards and exchange of experience…” COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Accompanying the Communication on "A single market for 21st century Europe“ Services of general interest, including social services of general interest: a new European commitment (20/11/07)

Quality social services: what do we mean? 1. Respectful of personal human dignity, security and fundamental rights EU Charter and European Convention a safe and secure environment public information independent complaints procedure personalized relationship between provider and user based on respect

Quality social services: what do we mean? 2. Affordable, accessible and reaching the target group social objectives >< competition, reduced public spending leads to increased privatization leads often to lower quality services danger for migrants, asylum seekers, undocumented people  for all persons residing on the territory clearer definition of affordability and accessibility

Quality social services: what do we mean? 3. Personalized, holistic and sustainable: personalized: a pact between user and provider holistic: a multidimensional approach sustainable: a coordinated team approach

Quality social services: what do we mean? 4. Participative and empowering: active involvement of the user a more structured on-going involvement objective: autonomy of the user personal development of the user participation in the services and in the community confidence in own strength and power an active participation governance structure in the management of the service

Quality social services: what do we mean? 5. Accountable, transparent community proximity services: an individual and collective dimension … to promote more socially cohesive communities an active partnership approach with all actors, including users clearly defined and known guidelines and methods clear and understandable information engagement to deliver accountability to the individuals and the community:  regular monitoring and evaluation.

Quality social services: what do we mean? 6. Investing in quality employment conditions for social services: to value the “caring” work increasing lifelong learning and training to value existing competences invest in quality employment conditions and wages  = investment in a socially cohesive society !

Investment is Social Services is more than ever needed social services as an investment for EU societies context of crisis: even more crucial to invest in them, but not really present in recovery plans social services at the centre of … social innovation, sustainable job creation supporting flexicurity policies “positive activation” of the most disadvantaged

Investment is Social Services is more than ever needed social services delivered NGOs are the first to be hit, while they provide direct support to people on low income… Structural Funds to provide better support no discussions on the crisis behind closed doors, but more involvement of all actors of civil society more support to sociale services more involvement of civil society in an open debate on the multiple crisis we are living in

European Anti Poverty Network What is it? What does it look like? What does it do? www.eapn.org