New methods are needed to combat the persistant problem of structural unemployment in Finland. People who are long-term unemployed and people with disabilities are in an especially vulnerable labour-market position. Several studies show that their access to work is hindered even during good economic times. In the OECD countries, the majority of new jobs are born in the private sector and so it is important to find employment innovations that are based on the birth of new companies.

A social firm is a model that combines a profit-seeking business with the employment of people who have difficulties entering working life. It's a new, ethical way of doing business that promotes everybody's right to work and a meaningful life. Social firms offer real jobs in real companies. In social firms every employee is equal to others in spite of a disability or lesser working capacity.

Objectives of HOT project are:

The project target of setting up social enterprises to provide services supporting older people living at home is carried out by the Cities of Helsinki, Turku, Oulu and Espoo.

The National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) is in charge of co-ordinating the project. 

The Finnish Federation of Settlements runs the Forum of Social Entrepreneurship (SYFo). The Northern Finland Centre of Excellence on Social Welfare (POSKE) is responsible for the ethical guidelines for social enterprises in the welfare sector. Laurea Polytechnic provides support for the creation, growth and development of the social enterprises set up in the project.

The transnational partners in the HOT project come from Scotland, Italy and Poland. The partnership will assess the successful operational models of social enterprises, compare experiences and strengthen the position of social enterprises at both the national and European level.

Transnational work is an important part of Equal. The HOT project participates in the transnational partnership called S.E.E.N (Social Economy Exchange Network). A number of common interests underpin the work of the individual Development Partnerships in each member state. 

STAKES- Regional and Municipal Consulting
P.O. Box 220
00531 Helsinki
Finland
http://www.stakes.fi
Ms. Eveliina Pöyhönen (Project Manager), tel. +358 9 3967 2617

01/01/2005

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Integration of social groups

Older people