Objective Full Employment - A Community Project (Objectif Plein Emploi)

Network start date

01/01/1999

Contributing country

Luxembourg

Covering city

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Summary

The OPE is taking part in several European and international networks. It is an active member of the International Network for the Promotion of the Social and Solidarity-based Economy. In addition, the network has established a system which is based on solidary economy experience and social responsibility. The system works with people in accordance to their needs. The solidarity economy is based on four pillars:

1. Sustainable local development
Thanks to the consequential implementation of local projects, the work of the CIGs (Initiative and Management Centres) benefits the population directly by intervening at the very heart of its life. To this end, great importance is attached to the sustainability of the projects. They are carried out taking into account the quality of life today as well as that of future generations.

 2. Voluntary help and partnership
The network’s work is carried out thanks to the voluntary commitment of citizens and a set of partners consisting of representatives from political life, society, the private sector and national and international institutions.

 3. Meeting needs neglected by society
Man and the satisfaction of his needs are at the centre of each activity in the solidarity-based economy. The issue is not economies of pecuniary profit, but more consequential satisfaction of needs while mindful of the public interest.

4. Diversification of sources of revenue
A solidarity-based undertaking such as OPE relies, to a considerable extent, on a diversification of its sources of revenue. The state, which bears prime responsibility for the protection of the public interest, contributes in large part to the financing of these projects, but revenues from private sources, donations, and European funds, as well as local resources are still being added to the list.

A society model under the sign of integration
The solidarity economy model put forward by the associates of OPE stresses justice, tolerance, respect, democracy and mutual assistance. It helps everyone to find his or her rightful place in society. It is therefore a model that advocates change in society, encourages everyone to assume greater responsibility for himself and those around him, and thus contributes to the growth and prosperity of society day in and day out. Read more on the model and the implementation at the Reference material section: 'OPE additional information'.

Participants

Cooperation:

• at national level (ministries, departments, federations and organisations of the pluralistic economy)
• at European level (discover other initiatives, exchange good practices)
• European Institute for Solidarity-based Economy (its main mission is to work, at European level, for the promotion and recognition of the solidarity-based economy, i.e. a third sector between the classic private sector and the public sector. This requires the exchange of good practices and conceptual research.) 

Network lead

The OPE network consists of some 30 Initiative and Management Centres (CIGs), which operate at the local (CIGL), regional (CIGR) or sectoral (CIGS) level, and implements projects to improve the quality of life of the local population and to promote social cohesion.Some 1 350 people, 950 employees and 400 volunteers, are active in the network with the same vision: making citizens aware of their responsibilities in a solidarity society. By relying on such values as tolerance, respect, democracy and mutual assistance, they endeavour to enable each person to find his or her rightful place in society.As a result, local decision makers, trade associations, social offices, trade unions and the civil society are brought together to promote a socio-economic approach based on the solidarity-based economy. The projects thus carried out are specially adapted to the territories that they cover and take account of the needs and resources of each region. Their range of activity extends to the following areas:

• Services to individuals and to the community;
• Reduction of the digital gap;
• Artistic and cultural creativity;
• Sustainable development;
• Enhancement of the tourism assets;
• Research and Development.
  
  

Finances 

With its its 30 CIG's the OPE network has an average annual budget of € 28 million. OPE is the Grand Duchy’s leading organization for solidarity-based economy and coresponsible for establishing a third economic space. Over the last ten years, 820 long-term jobs have been created. 80% of the global budget, i.e. some €70 million, have been injected to wage costs, and 5.000 people have been hired in the network during this period. The contributions of the 400 volunteer members should not be forgotten either, as the work could not get done without them.

EU involvement

OPE pulls its resources of a mixed financing of private and public sources. Nearly 1% of the financing comes from European funding sources.

Organisation

Objectif Plein Emploi asbl

Contact person

Christina Schürr

Function

Public relations

Phone

+352 53 04 45 460

E-mail

schuerr@ope.lu