Homelessness
The added value of transnationalcooperation for local authorities
EU context
EU social inclusion strategy 2000-2005
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 commonobjective
2005: call for integrated and coordinated strategies at local level in JointSocial 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 andreconciling work and family life;
the improvement of social services;
the development of new approaches to theintegration 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 onissue 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 2000-2005
Process focused
Awareness raising
Increasing involvement of NGOs
NAPs focused
Joint Report
Peer reviews
…
Streamlined Strategy 2006 - …
Content focused
Homelessness (EPSCO Council priorities)
Stakeholder focused
Common priorities of all actors involved in the fight againsthomelessness
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 thanthematic 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 homelessnesspolicies
Importance of ideology ↓
Forum: origin
Why?
Focus on mutual learning
Expertise and knowledge present amongst many differentactors
Homeless NGOs; policy makers; Researchers; …
Focus on delivery
Many different actors are involved in the prevention andreduction of homelessness
NGOs; policy makers; housing associations; health institutions;…
FEANTSA wants to maximise the impact of itswork by involving all relevant stakeholders in theEuropean Forum Against Homelessness
Forum: Structure
FEANTSA
Public Forum
•Localauthorities
•Ministries
KnowledgeForum
•Research
•Stats
ThematicForum
•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 onthe 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 andinvolvement 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’ ForumWho?
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’ ForumHow?
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 developinglinks with other Fora
Local authorities’ ForumWhat?
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’ ForumCosts?
Costs
Depends on activities
Effective coordination requires staff resources
Initial phase – limited costs
Minimum 100.000€
Funding
Fees for involvement in Forum
Subscription
Conference fees …
EU funding - is unlikely!!
Structural Funds? (Interreg)
Other sources?
Conclusion
Local authorities should be involved intransnational cooperation on homelessness
EU context is right
Commitment of FEANTSA
Interest from local authorities
Transnational cooperation works
Interested to be involved contact
Thank you for listening