Problem Gambling Example of a good practice in Estonia in mainstreaming the results

of development partnership into national legislation

Ministry of Social Affairs of EstoniaChristian Veske

April, 2008

Contents

• Overview of EQUAL in Estonia• DP “Reintegration of Compulsive Gamblers

into the Labour Market and Prevention of their Social Exclusion”

• Structure of the mainstreaming process• Success factors• Obstacles encountered• Conclusions

EQUAL in Estonia

- EQUAL in Estonia was launched on 2004- The EQUAL programme budget in Estonia is total of 5,42 million

euros- Three themes:

- A (facilitating access and return to the labour market for those who have difficulty in being integrated or reintegrated into a labour market which must be open for all),

- G (Reconciling family and professional life) - I (Supporting the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers)

- In 2004 13 projects were selected from 68 applications- Additional funding was available for already existing development

partnerships for mainstreaming in 2007

EQUAL in Estonia (II)

Ministry of Social AffairsManaging Authority

Ministry of FinancePaying Authority

Ministry of FinanceAuditing Body

Labour Market BoardNational Support Structure

“Reintegration of Compulsive Gamblers into the Labour Market and Prevention of Their Social Exclusion”

• Target group: problem gamblers, their families and employers

• Results of the project:– A rehabilitation centre is opened and therapy to problem

gamblers and their family members is given free of charge by psychologists specialised in problem gambling

– Awareness of the problematic is increased in public through numerous articles in national media

– Almost 200 problem gamblers have sought help from the rehabilitation centre

“Reintegration of Compulsive Gamblers into the Labour Market and Prevention of Their Social Exclusion” (II)

• Objectives of mainstreaming:– Propose a strategy to tackle with problem

gambling to Ministry of Social Affairs– Get additional funding from the state to

keep the rehabilitation centre opened

Mainstreaming process

Presentation, memoMA, DPThe DP prepares the background information to high officials. MA prepares a comprehensive memo on the issue and action plan

Stage 5: preparing the background information

List of key persons is drafted

MA, DPIdentify the key persons that are responsible for the changes

Stage 4: Identifying key persons

Action plan MA, DPIdentify the legislation that needs to be changed and means to achieve it

Stage 3: establishing the action plan

Direct contact is established

MA, DPEstablishing contacts with DP

Stage 2: contacts

A document that includes the needs of DPs

MA, evaluatorMap the mainstreaming expectations of DPs.

Stage 1: mapping

ResultResponsibilityActionStage

Mainstreaming process

A Policy paper or strategyRelevant department at the ministry

MA gives the responsibility to relevant department. Working group is working towards achieving set goals

Stage 9: Working group

Working group is established

MA, other departments at the ministry

Establishing the working group consisting of different ministries, NGOs etc.

Stage 8: Establishing an (un)official working group

An appointment with minister. Background documents are sent to the minister beforehand. Minister gives his/ her approval or rejects the idea.

MA, DPMA organises the appointment with the relevant minister where the DP presents the need for action and MA and/or other public official presents the possibilities for achieving the results

Stage 7: Appointment with the minister

Experts and public officials have given their approval to the action plan

MAOrganise meeting with experts and public officials to agree upon the action plan

Stage 6: Organising meetings with experts on the field

ResultResponsibilityActionStage

Mainstreaming process - timeline

• September 2007 – Initial meetings between the DP and public officials from Ministry of Social Affairs

• October 2007 – An appointment with the Minister of Social Affairs of Estonia mrs Maripuu. A consent to establish the working group is given.

• January, 16. 2008 the official working group is established. Working group consists representatives from NGOs, ministries that are related to the topic (education, finance, communication), psychologists, psychiatrist, a former compulsive gambler.

Mainstreaming process - timeline

• Ministry of Finance has expressed their willingness to change the Gambling Tax Act so that the strategy for problem gambling will be financed directly from the Gambling Tax. The changes in the legislation are expected to come to force in January 2009.

• Working group has drafted the initial structure of the strategy and set goals for the strategy. The strategy is expected to be completed in by March 2008 and the action plan by June 2008.

Success factors

• Identification of right key persons• Reasoning the changes• Getting the support from minister or

other high officials• Motivating the key persons

Possible obstacles

• Reluctance from (high) officials if the subject is politically delicate

• Members of working group cannot achieve consensus on the issue

• Slow administrative process

Conclusions

• The mainstreaming process of DP “Reintegration of Compulsive Gamblers into the Legal Labour Market and Prevention of Their Social Exclusion” has set a benchmark in Estonia.

• Current practice is effective in a member state with small number of DPs where direct contacts are possible between the DP and MA.

• Quite often DPs do not have the knowhow and experience in the process of changing national legislation. Therefore direct involvement of MA is crucial.

• This practice is not rigid. It is necessary to adjust it according to the given situation.

Thank you!More information about EQUAL in Estonia:

Ministry of Social Affairs: www2.sm.ee/esf2004

Labour Market Board: www.tta.ee/equal

Christian VeskeMinistry of Social Affairs of EstoniaLabour Market DepartmentEQUAL christian.veske@sm.ee +372 626 9174