Barka Foundation for Mutual Help, 2006 >>>

1. BARKA Foundation for Mutual Help Address: Ul. Sw. Wincentego 6/9, 61-003 Poznan, POLAND Tel./fax: + 48 61 8720286 E-mail: barka@barka.org.pl www.barka.org.pl

2. 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 in t o the society resulted in an alternative system of social support.

4. 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 s olidar ity with others in need; . T he importance of a life in sobriety. 1. THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM

5. 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

6. 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 wh ich he came to Barka. H e has since created the sheep breeding program . 1. THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM

7. 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 warehouses and 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 .

8. Jan. 1 st , 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 - ne w building inaugurated on 1 st 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. 2. SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM – URBAN AREAS PRESENTLY, THE SCHOOL RUNS A PROGRAM OF SOCIAL AND VOCATIONAL REINTEGR ATION FOR 250 PERSONS/DAY AND SERVES AS EXAMPLE FOR THE CREATION OF SIMILAR CENTRES IN POLAND AND ABROAD.

9. 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 P artnerships – 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 3 rd 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.

13. The increasing unemployment in Poland (about 20%) and difficult life experiences of persons taking part in soc i oeducational 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 . 3 rd PROGRAM: CREATION OF WORK PLACES – SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP – URBAN AREAS

14. 3 rd 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 (t his place was evaluated by the Voluntary Aquatic Rescue Emergency as “model”, for fulfilling security and hygiene norms )

15. 3 rd 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.

16. 4 th 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

17. 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. 4 th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

18. 4 th 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. "Osiedle DARZYBÓR"

19. 4 th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

20. 4 th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

21. 4 th PROGRAM: ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

23. 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. T he 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.

24. 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

25. 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 ha d been created, such as: . about 20 S ocial I ntegration 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.

26. 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

27. 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

28. PRESENT ACTIVITIES The project „ SOCIAL ECONOMY IN PRACTICE ” implemented in the framework of the EQUAL Programme financed by the ESF has the objective of support ing 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 ( m onitoring and evaluation) 14. MaroonPoint Poland (project’s website and IT training to final beneficiaries)

30. 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).

31. 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.

32. 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.

36. 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.

37. 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 .

38. 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.

39. Finally, I would like to emphasize that the contribution of the activities presented here have initiated a fundamental philosophical change within the Polish system of social support . Instead of being based on the p assive 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. MEETINGS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS EASTER’S COMMEMORATION

40. WE WARMLY INVITE YOU TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.barka.org.pl