BARKA Foundation for Mutual Help

Address: Ul. Sw. Wincentego 6/9, 61-003 Poznan, POLANDTel./fax: + 48 61 8720286E-mail: barka@barka.org.plwww.barka.org.pl

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