When asked about the adequacy of entrepreneurship training for the poor and socially excluded to fight poverty and social exclusion7, six out of the ten respondents stated that such training would be adequate (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Impact of training on entrepreneurship for the poor and socially excluded with the aim to minimize these risks.
Four respondents had a different opinion on the matter. Asked about the factors determining the effectiveness of such solution, they indicated the opportunity for discussion, filling the knowledge gap and increasing the knowledge of running their own business.
Asked about barriers preventing people affected by and at risk of poverty and social exclusion from starting up a business, respondents selected:
None of those interviewed pointed out the competition with other companies and the grey market (Figure 6).
Figure 6. Barriers preventing the poor, the socially excluded and those at risk of these conditions from starting their own business.
7 The question was: Is the provision of training for the development of entrepreneurial attitudes and skills in this area for the poor and socially excluded people and people at risk thereof an adequate way to fight these threats?
0
51 Source: own research.
The surveyed employees of the aid institutions indicated a variety of preventive measures against poverty and social exclusion. Among the proposed measures they included, among others:
- training on budget management, - possibility of early loan repayment, - increase of employment,
- organisation of training,
- police patrols and interviews with district police officers,
- institution of a family assistant in Municipal Social Welfare Centre, - assistance in self-employment,
- promotion of entrepreneurship,
- help in becoming employed and organizing job opportunities (cooperation with County Employment Office),
- cooperation with the police,
- training for victims of domestic violence, - support groups,
- taking care of mothers and children.
One respondent pointed out, however, that his institution makes people accustomed to a passive approach to life, what should be considered a bad sign of the institution’s activities.
Asked about examples of “good practices” at work with people affected by and at risk of poverty and social exclusion, the respondents replied with a few interesting ideas like: participation in conferences and workshops organized at university, there should be more of such, activating the homeless, organisation of employment and facilitating access to job offers, employment counselling, personal and social commitment to work for the benefit of the poor and the victims of violence, and to work on the internal resources of the people and show them that are able to cope.
52
Exploratory field research report – SPAIN
In days from November 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, 10 representatives of social aid and assistance institutions were interviewed. The study was to diagnose the social security model. The survey was conducted on-line which made the collection of answers easier.
Most of the participant works as:
Social Institution and NGO
Their role in this Institution are: Service Worker, Coordinator of Poverty and Social Exclusion Projects, and also volunteers.
The characteristics of the service users in terms of poverty and social exclusion are mainly Jobless households and Immigrants. Followed by elderly and single parenthood.
Women are also users of this service with 25%
Respondent Institution, type of locality Public/
private
Position within institution
R1 Senara Foundation, Big city Private Social worker
R2 Senara Foundation, Local area Private Social worker
R3 Senara Foundation, Training department, big city
Private Social worker
R4 Senara Foundation, Project
department, Big city
Private Project Coordinator
R5 Senara Foundation, Big City Private Social worker R6 International Cooperation, Big city Private Head of Office R7 International Cooperation, Big city Private Trainer
R8 International Cooperation, Big city Public Social worker R9 Employment office, Big city Public Team Supervisor
R10 Bocatas NGO, Big city Public Volunteer
1. How do policy-makers describe the role of the institution / organization they are affiliated with and their own role within that agency in relation to the beneficiaries of their services?
The examined institutions were associations and aid institutions. Most of the participant works as:
Social Institution and NGO. Their role in this Institution are: Service Worker, Coordinator of
53 Poverty and Social Exclusion Projects, the characteristics of the service users in terms of poverty and social exclusion are: Jobless households and Immigrants. Followed by elderly and single parenthood, women are also users of this service with 25%.
In Spain who uses the services are: Unemployed people, Families with many children (3 and above), People with low skills or low level of education, People with low income.
Spanish institutions usually don´t develop or provide training or similar activities in fields of entrepreneurship skill develop for the poor and socially excluded people or people at risk, but some Institutions develop activities like workshops, counselling sessions mostly and also study visits and grants. 25% of respondents stated that their institutions also give training courses. The institutions usually (75%) undertake new activities, forms of support for the poor and socially excluded people and people at risk such as food distribution and childcare services.
The legislation or policies currently cover the issue of poverty and social exclusion in Spain are the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion of the Kingdom of Spain valid from 2013 to 2016 and the opinion of the Economic and Social European Committee about poverty, but are not adequate for dealing with the needs of the group affected by these problems because it hasn't been applied correctly.
The legal bases of the Institutions in Spain:
• Associations and Confederations (50% of respondents)
• Public Institution dependent of the state (25%)
• Private institution (25%)
• NGOs 0%
2. How do policy-makers discuss other institutions of the social security system and their