BARKA Foundation for Mutual Help
Address: Ul. Sw. Wincentego 6/9, 61-003 Poznan, POLANDTel./fax: + 48 61 8720286E-mail: [email protected]
THE BEGINNING OF BARKA – EASTER 1989
Barbara and Tomasz Sadowski, their daughters and 20 individuals in difficult life situations started to live together in the first Barka („lifeboat”) community. They renovated an old building of a former school in Wladyslawowo, Western Poland.
This first community became the springboard of a movement addressed to the needs of homeless individuals, who were not able to cope in the new post-communist environment. The process of reintegrating them into the society resulted in an alternative system of social support.
THIS SYSTEM CONSISTS OF 5 PROGRAMS:
1. The Community Program – since 1989, 30 new Communities have been established in south-western Poland
2. Socio-educational Program – since 1996 in urban and rural environments
3. Program of Creating New Work Places – since 1996 in all BARKA locations
4. Accessible Housing Program – “Darzybor Housing Settlement”
5. Program of Integration and Cooperation – since 2002 creation of new associations, national unions and European networks.
1. THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Barka resettles members of the rising group of homeless and socially marginalized people in rural and urban communities, providing them with the sense of belonging they deeply need.
Main principles of communities’ functioning:. The familial life is normally organized in groups of 25- 30 persons and is based on the idea of mutual help;. Recovery (rebuilding and renewal) of old and ruined houses, adapting them for places to live and work;. Subsistence through own work (breeding of animals, cultivation of vegetables, services);. Living in solidarity with others in need;. The importance of a life in sobriety.
1. THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Zbyszek was among the first residents of Barka’s community. He lost everything because of alcohol. In Barka, among other farm-related tasks, he started to breed goats, acquired additional knowledge in France and now teaches others. He married, has a son and lives in his flat. He is the founder of a Mutual Help Association bringing together persons who overcame their problems and weaknesses and want to help others in need.
1. THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Ziuta was living in a forest during some years. Now she fulfils the role of grandmother for children who do not have the care and attention of this important family member
Andrzej did not have any place to go to after leaving the orphanage. During these years he was living in a former military bunker, from which he came to Barka. He has since created the sheep breeding program.
2. SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
– URBAN AREAS
Life shared in the community made us aware of the fact that many persons have a low educational level. Therefore, after 8 years of living together, we moved with a group of persons from the countryside to Poznan where in old warehousesand barracks, the first workshops started to be created.
Presently there are 14 vocational workshops, general education courses (incl. English and IT),psychologhical workshops, self-educational groups for staff and students, library, sport and integration activities.
Socioeducational schools established on the idea of linking social help for the poorest with education are inspired by the Danish Kofoed School.
2. SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
– URBAN AREAS
Jan. 1st, 2002 – during the visit of Jerzy Hausner, Minister of Labour and Social Policy, in the Barka-Kofoed School in Poznan, the project of Law on Social Employment was elaborated.
New Barka school gains national recognition- new building inaugurated on 1st Sept. 2004
Football game featuring the Barka team (representing Poland in the world championships of homeless people) and a team led by the Polish vice-prime minister and members of the cabinet. Barka won 8-6.
PRESENTLY, THE SCHOOL RUNS A PROGRAM OF SOCIAL AND VOCATIONAL REINTEGRATION FOR 250 PERSONS/DAY AND SERVES AS EXAMPLE FOR
THE CREATION OF SIMILAR CENTRES IN POLAND AND ABROAD.
2. SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
– URBAN AREAS
PARTNERS OF THE PROJECT:
European Social Fund, Marshall’s Office, Poznan City Office, District’s Work Offices – financial support
Municipal Centre of Support to Family, Centres of Social Support, anti-addiction therapy units, NGOs – placement in the Centre
Barka Foundation, Grete Mikaelsen’s Foundation from Denmark – financial investment for construction of the new building
Kofoed’s School from Copenhagen – know-how and training
International Network of Street Papers, Social Economy in Practice Development Partnership, SETEN and IFIPO Transnational Partnerships – examples of entrepreneurial activities, development of social economy
Adam Mickiewicz University, University of Warsaw – evaluation of Centre’s activities, elaboration of research methodology
Business companies – possibility of apprenticeship/training and on-the-job practice.
2. SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
– RURAL AREAS
In a renovated manor, now a Socio-Educational and Cooperation Center, training and conferences are carried out.
A model ecologic farming was established on 398 ha of land of a former State farm. Here, among other activities, we are breeding goats, sheep, rabbits and a rare race of native pigs “in freedom”.
THE CENTER TRANSFERS ITS KNOWLEDGE TO OTHER CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
2. SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
– RURAL AREAS
Economic sustainability of these activities is achieved through investments in energy-saving environmentally friendly heating system and manufacture of bio-fuel, for example.
Thanks to international cooperation BMC (Blanche du Massif Central) sheep was brought to Poland.
Goat breeding conducted by BARKA is considered one of the best in Poland.
3rd PROGRAM: CREATION OF WORK PLACES –
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP – RURAL AREAS
In our understanding, ecologic farming represents an alternative for the neglected rural areas. Its activities not only include quality production of food,but also the widely understood responsibility for the environment.
Social cooperatives and social enterprises had been created in services (education, training) and production of healthy food in cooperation with other producers and suppliers of ecologic components.
3rd PROGRAM: CREATION OF WORK PLACES –
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP – URBAN AREAS
The increasing unemployment in Poland (about 20%) and difficult life
experiences of persons taking part in socioeducational programs reduce
their chances on the work market. Therefore, they decided to create social
enterprises in areas such as: second-hand shops, rickshaws, recycling, sale
of products and services, cooperation with the municipal services for
maintaining green areas.
3rd PROGRAM: CREATION OF WORK PLACES –
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP – URBAN AREAS
EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISES:
. Metal recycling: 30 persons found work at the very beginning of this activity. Presently about 50 persons have work.. Parking and real estates’ security - Social Cooperative “Jawor” . Second-hand shops and furniture renovation – Social Cooperative „Max-Styl”. Hairdresser and beautician. Catering. Recreation centre managed by the Social Cooperative Krzyzowniki (this place was evaluated by the Voluntary Aquatic Rescue Emergency as “model”, for fulfilling security and hygiene norms)
3rd PROGRAM: CREATION OF WORK PLACES –
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP – URBAN AREAS
The first quasi-social cooperatives were created with the support of the
Barka Foundation and were run in their initial phase without adequate
legal regulations. These experiences gave the basis for the creation of the
Law on Social Cooperatives.
Presently, social cooperatives are being created in cooperation with other
countries (Scotland, Italy, Belgium, Finland), from which Polish social
entrepreneurs learn about new techniques, standards, management,
organization, marketing, financial support, etc.
4th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING
„We had been preparing ourselves for the implementation of this program for years, renovating and adapting ruined houses for shelters for the homeless and building premises for economic activities to support their education and professional activation.” Tomasz i Barbara Sadowscy
4th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING
In 2002 we started to implement the program of accessible housing, with participation of persons and families who took part in former stages of our activities of education and vocational activation.
The Darzybor Settlement is localized in Poznan on 5 ha of land given by the Local Administration. The settlement will offer houses for about 400-500 persons (100 families). Its implementation will be achieved in three stages in a 5-year period.
The first stage of 32 dwellings was constructed in 2005 giving homes to 130 persons (32 families) .
Its construction was possible thanks to the Law on Financial Support for the Construction of Shelters and Social Housing 2004-2005, for which the Barka Foundation effected lobbying activities.
4th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING
Barka’s Accessible Housing Program is an example of public-social and public-private partnerships made in cooperation with a non-governmental organization (Barka Foundation), the local administration and the government. Each partner offers 1/3 of the costs of settlements’ construction.
4th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING
4th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING
4th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
In 2003 the Foundation initiated a new stage of activities:
1) the Foundation started to lobby for new legal solutions based on Barka’s programs. As result of these activities new legal acts were enacted changing the up to now prevailing system of social support in Poland. This new legal system gives possibilities for creation of social enterprises in the area of social and professional integration of excluded groups and have had a crucial importance for the development of civil society’s initiatives in Poland. This system is composed by:
a. Law on Activities of Public Benefit and Volunteerism, dated April 24th, 2003
b. Law on Social Employment, dated June 13th, 2003c. Law on Promotion of Employment and Work Market Institutions
(including note on social cooperatives) dated April 2, 2004d. Law on Social Cooperatives dated April 27th, 2006e. Law on Financial Support for the Construction of Shelters and Social
Housing 2004-2005
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
2) Barka Foundation transformed its activities: from an organization
directly implementing activities to an organization which animates
diverse environments to undertake initiatives for social and economic
integration of the weakest groups.
The programs created by the Barka Foundation (communities, socio-
educational programs, creation of work places within social economy
initiatives and the accessible housing program) are presently
administered by independent associations and social cooperatives.
In this way a system of autonomous organizations but ideologically
connected with the philosophy of activities worked out during 17
years of Barka’s activities was created.
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
Barka-Kofoed School Association - Social Integration Centre
Social Emergency Association
Barka Community House Foundation in Drezdenko
Barka Sport Association for Social Integration
Barka Association for Social Integration - SIW Barka
Polish Alliance for Social Integration
WIELKOPOMOC Assoc. for Integration of Local Communities
Regional Socio-Educational Centre Association
„For the People and the Environment”
Publishing Association
Barka-Darzybor Accessible Housing Association
SAS – School of Social Animation
Association for Social Cooperatives
Barka’s Street Paper „Gazeta Uliczna”
„Be Together” Association
Barka Association Strzelce Opolskie
Barka Association for Mutual Help Chojnow
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
Active promotion of social economy issues and creation of social
economy institutions had been constantly made. Many new forms
of support to the needy people had been created, such as:
. about 20 Social Integration Centres,
. 25 social cooperatives,
. 30 clubs of social integration,
. 5 associations,
. 3 foundations.
The program is also promoted to NGOs from other Central and
Eastern Europe, whose representatives come to the Barka
Foundation for study-visits.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
We cooperate with many international organizations and networks, such as:
. Social Platform,
. EAPN – European Anti-Poverty Network
. FEANTSA – European Federation of National Organizations working with the Homeless. SCHWAB FOUNDATION for Social Entrepreneurship. INSP – International Network of Street Papers. ASHOKA Social Innovators. ESAN - European Social Action Network . ISSAN - Institute for the Development of Nonprofit Organizations . ATD Fourth World. CEDAG - European Council for Voluntary Organisations . Bread of Life Community – Poland. Communaute Pain de Vie, France. and many others.
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Our programs are transferred to many Central and East
European Countries, such as:
Belarus, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine, Albania,
Armenia, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldavia.
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
The project „SOCIAL ECONOMY IN PRACTICE” implemented in the framework of the EQUAL Programme financed by the ESF has the objective of supporting the development of the Polish social economy, through creation of three model local Social Economy Centres. It is implemented in partnership with 14 organizations:
1. Barka Foundation for Mutual Help (project coordinator & international cooperation)2. Barka-Kofoed School Association - Social Integration Centre (training programs)3. Social Emergency Association (selection of final beneficiaries and their involvement)4. Association for Social Cooperatives (CES Poznan - big city)5. Polish Alliance for Social Integration (support for local partnership’s building)6. Barka Sport Association for Social Integration (social integration of final beneficiaries) 7. WIELKOPOMOC Association for Integration of Local Communities (work with participants)8. Barka Association for Social Integration - SIW Barka (work with participants)9. Barka Community House Foundation in Drezdenko (CES Drezdenko – small town)10. Regional Socio-Educational Centre Association „For the People and the Environment” (CES Kwilcz – countryside province)11. Publishing Association (project romotion and social integration activities in Clubs)12. The rural Kwilcz Commune (promotion of activities undertaken by CES Kwilcz)13. Institute of Political Studies PAN-Polish Academy of Sciences (monitoring and evaluation)14. MaroonPoint Poland (project’s website and IT training to final beneficiaries)
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
The main project results are:
1. Creation of mechanisms of building local partnerships (concentration of
local partners on new ways of solving the existing local socio-economic
problems);
2. Creation of a training program for leaders of social economy and a
mechanism of establishing self-educational groups;
3. Creation of the model institution which supports employment creation – the Social Economy Centre, comprising:
a) Recruitment and information agency b) Job agency c) Vocational counselling and training agency d) Development agency e) Aid fund
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
STRATEGY OF SOCIAL ECONOMY CENTRES’ ACTIVITIES
Activities addressed directly to the final beneficiaries:
. Elaboration of an integrated model of training of final beneficiaries. Two types
of training had been put into practice: training for specific trade activities’
profiles and training linked with the process of creation and management of
social enterprises and cooperatives or own business companies,
. Work agency for employment in business companies or social enterprises
(including already existing social cooperatives),
. Search for on-the-job training, stages and practices in business companies
and social enterprises.
. Support in creation of social enterprises and own companies (preparation of
business plans, promotion of products and services in local communities,
search for financial support and additional sources for the development of
NGOs’ economic activities, as well as support in administration, financing,
membership, public support, accountancy).
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
STRATEGY OF SOCIAL ECONOMY CENTRES’ ACTIVITIES
Activities addressed to creation of social enterprises and cooperatives:. Financial support for the emerging social enterprises and cooperatives in the initial stage of their functioning. . Beginning of cooperation and creation of a net of social enterprises and cooperatives.. Creation of a forum for the exchange of information.. Preparation of activities linked with education of cooperatives’ members and their families, as well as follow up of reintegration activities in the local community.. Co-organization of orders and public procurements for local market’s work and services . Coordination of common economic undertakings.. Testing of diverse solutions for financing of social enterprises and cooperatives, including the creation of a local financing program for social enterprises. . The Centre also cooperates with institutions and companies in the preparation of training plans for beneficiaries, as well as stages, practices and on-the-job training.
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
STRATEGY OF SOCIAL ECONOMY CENTRES’ ACTIVITIES
The Social Economy Centres fulfil also the role of information Centres on social economy issues and its institutions, and elaborate specific programs for local development strategies, especially as to:
. search for possibilities of employment and orders for social cooperatives’ products and services;. search for market niches and areas that are not interesting to profit oriented companies;. facilitation in premises’ rent and management of social economy institutions;. creation of a local financing program for social economy institutions (local fund of support to social economy);. initiation of local economic agreements (short and long term);. diagnosis of local unemployment situation and monitoring of changes and processes connected with the work market and professional activation;. elaboration of proposals of new legislative solutions in the area of social entrepreneurship.
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
CAPACITY BUILDING:
In Poznan local partnerships were created in three districts to solve local problems:
1. In one of the oldest districts in Poznan – Srodka, the partnership was set up among revitalization issues 2. In the Piatkowo district of Poznan, with about 50 000 inhabitants, the local partnership is concentrating on social and professional activation of unemployed people, mainly residents of housing estates and summer allotments inhabited by homeless people. 3. In the ruined suburban ex-industrial area of Poznan – Kobyle Pole, the partnership concentrates on social and professional activation of the Darzybor settlement social houses’ tenants, as well as on the unemployed residents of hostels for the homeless managed by Monar-Markot and the Social Emergency Association. Partnerships were also built in: Drezdenko (Lubuskie region), Kwilcz commune
(Wielkopolska region) and Lwowek commune (Wielkopolska region).
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
INNOVATIVENESS
1. The project creates a new form of institutional support for social
economy initiatives – the structure of the Social Economy Centre;
2. Contributes to the elaboration of a new mechanism for inclusion of
people experienced with social problems at every stage, since the
moment of building the local partnership, through self-educational
groups, employment and promotion of project’s results;
3. Elaborates and tests a pioneer program of training for social economy
leaders, as well as socially excluded people, in the framework of the
School of Social Animation;
4. Builds local coalitions on behalf of social economy;
5. Creates a new type of communication between social economy
bodies through commercial exchange of goods and services produced
by social economy institutions.
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
For proper implementation of the above mentioned activities cooperative actions were undertaken with two Transnational Partnerships – SETEN and IFIPO.
1. The Transnational Partnership SETEN (Social Enterprises Trade European Network) comprises the following Development Partnerships:
ROBINIA – from south of Italy cooperating with diverse partners, including social
cooperatives’ consortium, financial institutions and entrepreneurs. HI HOPES from Scotland implements a project of social enterprises on rural areas
and employs unemployed and handicapped people.CREASOC from Belgium elaborates educational tools in the area of social economy. 2. The Transnational Partnership IFIPO was built together with:
C.R.E.S.O. from north of Italy, a very advanced DP in elaborating effective tools of support to social enterprises through the banking sector.
NETCO from Finland acts in a dynamic environment with diverse forms of Finish cooperativeness.
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
Aiming at creating work places for long term unemployed people the Foundation had been publishing the street paper „Gazeta Uliczna”, which is a bi-monthly magazine with a socio-cultural profile, devoted to social economy issues.
The magazine is sold on the streets by homeless and unemployed people, who earn 50% of the income from the sale.
The Polish Street Paper „Gazeta Uliczna” is a member of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) and a partner of the Big Issue from Scotland.
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
New challenges are undertaken, such as the POLISH-BRITISH
MISSION FOR EMPLOYMENT to help Polish migrants in Great
Britain.
Partners in this project are: the Simon Community http://www.simoncommunity.org.uk and Housing Justice UNLEASH http://www.justhousing.org.uk/index.htm .
PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CREATION
AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM
Tomasz Sadowski - after many years of full-time engagement to build Barka’s model, had been involved in works of the Commission of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Polish Prime Minister, building the National Strategy of Fight Against Social Exclusion. He created the Polish Alliance for Social Integration and is member of many international networks.
Barbara Sadowska - works to develop socioeducational centers in Poland, cooperates with national and international organizations in new projects and transfers Barka’s programs to other Central and Eastern European countries.
MEETINGS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Finally, I would like to emphasize that the contribution of the activities presentedhere have initiated a fundamental philosophical change within the Polish system
of social support. Instead of being based on the passive distribution of goods and services for the needy, this improved system, to a great extent, is based on the overwhelming potential of the people in need, their empowerment, and the vast
possibilities of social entrepreneurship.
EASTER’S COMMEMORATION
WE WARMLY INVITE YOU TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE
www.barka.org.pl
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