Three selected projects from the Best Practice collection of Human Exchange Foundation

In the process of implementation -  in line with the changes in the Hungarian legislation -, good practices on the social and labor market integration of the Gypsy target group living in Hungary have been collected. Three of these projects were selected.

 

  •  “Szövétnek I. – Community Employment Initiative in the 20 Municipalities of the Old-Drava Program” (TÁMOP-1.4.1-11 / 1-2012-0037)

  • “Workshop of the Future – Development of a Settlement-type Helping House and Social Assistance Services in Gilvánfa” (TÁMOP-5.3.6-11 / 1-2012-0061)

  • Roma Labor Market Training Program

 

Project descriptions (summaries):

 

“Szövétnek I. – Community Employment Initiative in the 20 Municipalities of the Old-Drava Program” (TÁMOP-1.4.1-11 / 1-2012-0037)

Summary

 

As part of the Human Subprogramme of the Old-Dráva Program, the project representing the human resources component of territorial and rural development interventions was launched in 20 villages. The Comprehensive Social Inclusion Agenda of the Old-Dráva Program has been designed to contribute to the development of human resources through the implementation of training, retraining and further training, labour market support services and social work in order to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency. Three training courses were implemented in the project: waterworks building, forestry and beekeepers. Related labour market services: key capability testing; skill training; job search counselling, job-search techniques; labour market knowledge; mentoring and mediating during job search. Supported employment opportunities: afforestation, maintenance (forest cultivation); construction, maintenance of waterworks and participation in water management works.

The professional and scientific foundation and implementation of the complex intervention was endured by the participation of external consultants in significant, differentiated areas (employment, training, community development, town development and local economic development.) 

100 disadvantaged persons from Ormánság area have been in contact with the project, 70 of whom have benefited from labour market services. 24 persons were trained, of which 12 became forestry workers and 12 became waterworks builders. 21 persons were employed as the result of the project. The trained persons also participated in reintegration training in order to strengthen their social and learning competencies before starting the training.

Integration of community employment initiatives into the local social and economic context has contributed to the development of a network of local society and economy, including the development of the social economy, to prepare for further projects and to ensure synergy between parallel developments.

The results and experiences of the project were published on the website, in final publications and in a press conference. The transfer of experience as good practice is ensured by the NGOs participating in the project. The resources needed to sustain the activities will be secured through a further EU tender.

The project encompassed a complex intervention that fits in with the regional features, whose professional-methodological toolkit was developed and applied in a broad spectrum of approaches that made it possible for the target group to be involved intensively and efficiently.

 

“Workshop of the Future – Development of a Settlement-type Helping House and Social Assistance Services in Gilvánfa” (TÁMOP-5.3.6-11 / 1-2012-0061)

Summary

 

The main goals of the project were development of services and programs for the social integration of a minority target group (Gypsy origin) living in a segregated settlement (Gilvánfa) of a disadvantaged region (Ormánság, South Baranya, Hungary), and improvement of housing and living conditions of people living in settlements and further support for their social integration.

The project included six comprehensive objectives, which were achieved:

1.) Development of services and programs for the social integration of people living in the settlement;

2.) Building a support system to increase the efficiency of professional work involving external consultants, expert groups and institutions;

3.) Development of local social / solidarity economy;

4.) Improvement the housing and living conditions of the inhabitants of the settlement and promotion their social integration;

5.) Empowerment of the local community;

6.) To promote the integration of marginalized Gilvánfa into micro-regional, county and regional cooperation.

As a result of the project, employment has increased considerably among the target group. The trainings carried out under the project have successfully supported the achievement of the participants’ more favourable labour market position. The professional and scientific foundation and implementation of the complex intervention was ensured by the participation of external consultants in significant, differentiated areas (employment, training, community development and local economic development).

The total number of persons involved in the project is 120 persons; number of positive results: 72 persons. Number of participants in training: 40, number of participants successfully trained: 24. Number of students performing practical training at workplace: 16; Number of persons employed: 18 persons; The number of people involved in other programs as result of the project: 24 persons; The number of persons employed for at least 3 months in the 6 months following the closing of the individual development plan is 3 persons.

Within the framework of the project, a number of training courses have been organized: 1.) Acquisition of a professional driving license: 8 persons started training, of which 5 people were granted the driving license. 2.) Completion of missing elementary school studies; of the 11 persons who started the training, 7 persons completed primary school education. 3.) Job search techniques training was conducted with 15 participants. 4.) The development of digital job-search knowledge was realized with the participation of 14 people. 5.) T-category tractor driver training qualification received 5 persons, 6) “T” driving license and agricultural mechanics degree training of 4. 7.) 16 people involved in home-based training. 8.) Homework practices training of 12 women. 9.) Nursery training certificate was issued for 2 persons. 10) Heavy machine operator course for 1 person. 11.) Food chemistry and herbal sales training was attended by 4 people. 12.) Shop assistant training for 4 persons. Within the project, sensitizing training was also implemented.

As a result of the project, a settlement-like Helping House, acting as a community space, contributes to increasing social cohesion. Successful project implementation significantly increased Gilvánfa’s positive rating in the micro-region, and resulted more effective cooperation among the nearby settlements. The level of education and the employment of the target group increased, which resulted in an increase in the self-interest of the target group.

 

Roma Labor Market Training Program

Summary

 

The aim of the project is to improve the situation of the Roma in the labor market, to strengthen their integration into the labor market and to promote their social integration through training and employment promotion measures. The initiative consisted of three interdependent modules: a project management training, which included the refinement of local labor market and organizational resource surveys; from the Help section.

All organizations that have received support have provided training for long-term or early-stage unemployed to enable participants to return to the labor market. The overwhelming majority of the supported courses provided professional qualifications and included employment elements, in all cases responding to the actual local needs and taking into local circumstances.One of the goals of the Roma Labor Market Training Program was to help organizations to pursue training efforts, to underpin and deepen the participants’ professional experience.

In the 2000-2001 programs, a total of over 250 people gained some degree of qualification to help most of them. The average age of the participants was under 30 years. The longer, several months of training were used by the younger ones, while middle-aged people preferred to use shorter, job-related trainings. The nature of the organized trainings also explains that 75% of the participants in the trainings were male in the first year, while in the second year, this rate had shifted to women.

The project elements implemented within the framework of the initiative resulted in the impact of the labor market effects of both the settlement and the regional level, taking into account the headquarters and locations of the employers who are on the labor market.

The use of follow-up has played an important role in both training and placements. The organizations participating in the program continued the project activities after the project implementation interval, taking advantage of the institutional and personal relationships that have been established in the meantime.

Within the framework of interprofessional partnership, complex interventions have been carried out for the social inclusion and integration of disadvantaged Roma people into the labor market. Social inclusion and labor market integration of disadvantaged Roma target groups require complex interventions. 

 

Appendix: “Good Practices” Descriptions

 


Description

Good practice # 1

Name
Title of good practice

Project title and code number: “Szövétnek I. – Community Employment Initiative in the 20 Municipalities of the Old-Drava Program” (TÁMOP-1.4.1-11 / 1-2012-0037).

Title of good practice applied on the basis of the project: Supporting the social inclusion of disadvantaged individuals by using complex interventions.

WWW

http://humanexchange.hu/szovetnek/

EMAIL

info@humanexcgange.hu

Subject
Summary
What problem or challenge does the practice address?
Which objectives are reached?
Which main activities were carried out?
In what context has the practice been successful?

(max. 1.500 characters)

As part of the Human Subprogramme of the Old-Dráva Program, the project representing the human resources component of territorial and rural development interventions was launched in 20 villages. The Comprehensive Social Inclusion Agenda of the Old-Dráva Program has been designed to contribute to the development of human resources through the implementation of training, retraining and further training, labour market support services and social work in order to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency. Three training courses were implemented in the project: waterworks building, forestry and beekeepers. Related labour market services: key capability testing; skill training; job search counselling, job-search techniques; labour market knowledge; mentoring and mediating during job search. Supported employment opportunities: afforestation, maintenance (forest cultivation); construction, maintenance of waterworks and participation in water management works.

The professional and scientific foundation and implementation of the complex intervention was ensured by the participation of external consultants in significant, differentiated areas (employment, training, community development, town development and local economic development).

Sources of funding

European Social Fund and Hungarian state support.

Total value/amount

70.304.575 HUF

Target group(s)

The population with multiple disadvantages living in the selected settlements.

 


Description

 

Results of good practice

 

Quantitative results

(number of persons involved, number of training/workshops implemented, number of awareness events implemented, etc.)

100 disadvantaged persons from Ormánság area have been in contact with the project, 70 of whom have benefited from labour market services.

24 persons were trained, of which 12 became forestry workers and 12 became waterworks builders.

The trained persons also participated in reintegration training in order to strengthen their social and learning competencies before starting the training.

21 persons were employed as the result of the project.

Qualitative impact
How much social effect does the project have?
Describe the changes in the target groups because of implemented good practice.

Integration of community employment initiatives into the local social and economic context has contributed to the development of a network of local society and economy, including the development of the social economy, to prepare for further projects and to ensure synergy between parallel developments.

Local, regional, national, international impact

Describe the impact of implemented good practice to wider public.

The project, implemented as part of the Human Subprogramme of the Old-Dráva Program, included interventions tailored to the specific features of the region, promoting the development of the Ormánság area and the founding of its social and environmental sustainability.

Duration and time (dates) of implementation
(example: 12 months, 1.1.2015 – 31.12.2015)

16 months, 1. 9. 2013 – 31. 12. 2014

 

 


Description

 

Sustainability
How will you ensure that the good practice activities and results will remain available and will be used by others?
How will you ensure the resources needed to sustain the activities?

The results and experiences of the project were published on the website, in final publications and in a press conference. The transfer of experience as good practice is ensured by the NGOs participating in the project. The resources needed to sustain the activities will be secured through a further EU tender.

Innovative characteristics
What was innovative?
What new method and approaches were used?

The project encompassed a complex intervention that fits in with the regional features, whose professional-methodological toolkit was developed and applied in a broad spectrum of approaches that made it possible for the target group to be involved intensively and efficiently.

Recommendations for improvements
(lessons learned)

A multi-faceted, complex intervention is needed in the framework of new projects.

Good practice environment
What resources are needed (political, economic, social, …)?

To achieve the goals of the project, a broad social base and a supportive environment were needed: experts, representatives of non-governmental organizations, volunteering university students and press staff jointly provided the project’s human resources background. In order to provide financial resources, additional funding is required.

 

 

 

 


Description

Good practice # 2

Name
Title of good practice

Project title and code number: “Workshop of the Future – Development of a Settlement-type Helping House and Social Assistance Services in Gilvánfa” (TÁMOP-5.3.6-11 / 1-2012-0061) Title of good practice applied in the project: Supporting social convergence and integration of social minorities with complex interventions.

WWW

http://gilvanfa.hu/a-jovo-muhelye/

EMAIL

szamadanoj@gmail.com

Subject
Summary
What problem or challenge does the practice address?
Which objectives are reached?
Which main activities were carried out?
In what context has the practice been successful?

(max. 1.500 characters)

The main goals of the project were development of services and programs for the social integration of a minority target group (Gypsy origin) living in a segregated settlement (Gilvánfa) of a disadvantaged region (Ormánság, South Baranya, Hungary), and improvement of housing and living conditions of people living in settlements and further support for their social integration.

The project included six comprehensive objectives, which were achieved:

1.) Development of services and programs for the social integration of people living in the settlement;

2.) Building a support system to increase the efficiency of professional work involving external consultants, expert groups and institutions;

3.) Development of local social / solidarity economy;

4.) Improvement the housing and living conditions of the inhabitants of the settlement and promotion their social integration;

5.) Empowerment of the local community;

6.) To promote the integration of marginalized Gilvánfa into micro-regional, county and regional cooperation.

As a result of the project, employment has increased considerably among the target group. The trainings carried out under the project have successfully supported the achievement of the participants’ more favourable labour market position. The professional and scientific foundation and implementation of the complex intervention was ensured by the participation of external consultants in significant, differentiated areas (employment, training, community development and local economic development).

Sources of funding

European Social Fund and Hungarian state support.

Total value/amount

145.695.745 HUF

Target group(s)

The Gypsy/Roma minority in segregated life situation in the settlement.

 


 

 

 


Description

 

Results of good practice

 

Quantitative results

(number of persons involved, number of training/workshops implemented, number of awareness events implemented, etc.)

The total number of persons involved in the project is 120 persons; number of positive results: 72 persons;

Number of participants in training: 40, number of participants successfully trained: 24;

Number of students performing practical training at workplace: 16; Number of persons employed: 18 persons; The number of people involved in other programs as result of the project: 24 persons; The number of persons employed for at least 3 months in the 6 months following the closing of the individual development plan is 3 persons.

Within the framework of the project, a number of training courses have been organized: 1.) Acquisition of a professional driving license: 8 persons started training, of which 5 people were granted the driving license. 2.) Completion of missing elementary school studies; of the 11 persons who started the training, 7 persons completed primary school education. 3.) Job search techniques training was conducted with 15 participants. 4.) The development of digital job-search knowledge was realized with the participation of 14 people. 5.) T-category tractor driver training qualification received 5 persons, 6) “T” driving license and agricultural mechanics degree training of 4. 7.) 16 people involved in home-based training. 8.) Homework practices training of 12 women. 9.) Nursery training certificate was issued for 2 persons. 10) Heavy machine operator course for 1 person. 11.) Food chemistry and herbal sales training was attended by 4 people. 12.) Shop assistant training for 4 persons. Within the project, sensitizing training was also implemented.

Qualitative impact
How much social effect does the project have?
Describe the changes in the target groups because of implemented good practice.

As a result of the project, a settlement-like Helping House, acting as a community space, contributes to increasing social cohesion. Successful project implementation significantly increased Gilvánfa’s positive rating in the micro-region, and resulted more effective cooperation among the nearby settlements. The level of education and the employment of the target group increased, which resulted in an increase in the self-interest of the target group.

Local, regional, national, international impact

Describe the impact of implemented good practice to wider public.

The project also solved the implementation of two other projects. The planning of the two additional projects began in 2016.

Duration and time (dates) of implementation
(example: 12 months, 1.1.2015 – 31.12.2015)

20 months, 1. 4. 2014 – 30. 11. 2015

 

 


Description

 

Sustainability
How will you ensure that the good practice activities and results will remain available and will be used by others?
How will you ensure the resources needed to sustain the activities?

A proposal for further development and operation of the project is under development.

The evaluation research results were published at a closing conference and in a separate publication beside the site of the settlement.

The resources needed to sustain the activities will be secured through a further EU tender.

Innovative characteristics
What was innovative?
What new method and approaches were used?

A professional-methodological toolkit adapted to the specific needs of the target group was used in the framework of complex interventions: the project activities were based on a broad spectrum of developmental activities covering both mental, social, economic, socio-community and cultural aspects, enabling intensive and effective involvement of target group members.

Recommendations for improvements
(lessons learned)

Multi-faceted, complex intervention is needed in the framework of new projects.

Good practice environment
What resources are needed (political, economic, social, …)?

The implementation of the project in the segregated settlement required a broad social base and a supportive environment: experts, representatives of non-governmental organizations, volunteers, university students and press staff jointly provided the project’s human resources background. In order to provide financial resources, additional funding is required.

 

 

 


Description

Good practice # 3

Name / Title of good practice

Roma Labor Market Training Program

WWW

website of organization and if available of the project

http://autonomia.hu/hu/programok/roma-munkaero-piaci-kepzes-program/

EMAIL

info@autonomia.hu

Subject
Summary
What problem or challenge does the practice address?
Which objectives are reached?
Which main activities were carried out?
In what context has the practice been successful?

(max. 1.500 characters)

The aim of the project is to improve the situation of the Roma in the labor market, to strengthen their integration into the labor market and to promote their social integration through training and employment promotion measures. The initiative consisted of three interdependent modules: a project management training, which included the refinement of local labor market and organizational resource surveys; from the Help section.

Sources of funding

The program was supported by USID (1044 Bp., Szabadság tér 7-8 Tel: 302-6400) in 2000 with 71,000 USD and in 2001 by UNDP (1099 Bp., Múzeum u. 17. 115. Tel: 429 -0624) $ 102,000.

Total value/amount

The budget for the program in 2000 was $ 71,000.

The budget for the program in 2001 was $ 102,000.

Target group(s)

Disadvantaged Roma people.

 


 


Description

 

Results of good practice

 

Quantitative results

(number of persons involved, number of training/workshops implemented, number of awareness events implemented, etc.)

All organizations that have received support have provided training for long-term or early-stage unemployed to enable participants to return to the labor market. The overwhelming majority of the supported courses provided professional qualifications and included employment elements, in all cases responding to the actual local needs and taking into local circumstances.One of the goals of the Roma Labor Market Training Program was to help organizations to pursue training efforts, to underpin and deepen the participants’ professional experience.

Qualitative impact
How much social effect does the project have?
Describe the changes in the target groups because of implemented good practice.

In the 2000-2001 programs, a total of over 250 people gained some degree of qualification to help most of them. The average age of the participants was under 30 years. The longer, several months of training were used by the younger ones, while middle-aged people preferred to use shorter, job-related trainings. The nature of the organized trainings also explains that 75% of the participants in the trainings were male in the first year, while in the second year, this rate had shifted to women.

Local, regional, national, international impact

Describe the impact of implemented good practice to wider public.

The project elements implemented within the framework of the initiative resulted in the impact of the labor market effects of both the settlement and the regional level, taking into account the headquarters and locations of the employers who are on the labor market.

Duration and time (dates) of implementation
(example: 12 months, 1.1.2015 – 31.12.2015)

1999.12.31. – 2001.11.30.

 


Description

 

Sustainability
How will you ensure that the good practice activities and results will remain available and will be used by others?
How will you ensure the resources needed to sustain the activities?

The use of follow-up has played an important role in both training and placements.

The organizations participating in the program continued the project activities after the project implementation interval, taking advantage of the institutional and personal relationships that have been established in the meantime.

Innovative characteristics
What was innovative?
What new method and approached were used?

Within the framework of interprofessional partnership, complex interventions have been carried out for the social inclusion and integration of disadvantaged Roma people into the labor market.

Recommendations for improvements
(lessons learned)

Social inclusion and labor market integration of disadvantaged Roma target groups require complex interventions.

Good practice environment
What resources are needed (political, economic, social, …)?

NGOs involved Roma organizations and communities in the process of project implementation, in which joint decisions were made.