Description
The long-term unemployment rate in Slovakia is one of the highest in EU. Governmental labour policy shows to be inefficient, sometime even damaging with negative impacts. i.e."labour and social myths" which influence public opinion and make public passive and resigned (e.g. "Romas don't want to work, they are parasites", "labour offices make jobs", "it is better not to look for job but get subsidies", etc.). The objective of the project is to create better condition for the unemployed by improving of social and labour situation in Slovakia and demythologizing of it. Outcomes lies in analysing of policies and plans, proposing of better legislation, providing progressive expert view and leading public discussion. Main outputs of the project are expert work (resulted in legislation proposing/commenting), media work (press releases and conferences) and public debate (seminars, conference). The target groups are politicians, decision makers and active public.
Summary of project results
The project addressed two issues. First one lies in a fact that Slovakia faces a high unemployment rate, unsustainable labour policies and too high rate of welfare subsidies. This situation is very unfavourable for society, it hinders development of the country, that is why there is a group of citizens who would like to be active in this. However, state labour policies are not usual subject of activism and civic society. The second problem consists of wide spread of biases against Roma, major population consider all of them to be loafers who don't want to work, just to misuse system. Thus the objectives of the project were to use an opportunity for civic society to influence national labour policies and to increase awareness of stakeholders (civil servants, NGOs, media) about public participation and also to fight against prjudices against Roma. These objectives are generally reached though some of partial outcomes are accomplished not in such rate as expected. Main impacts of the project consists of a long-term wide discussion about some specific questions (e.g. inclusive employing, inclusive public tendering, etc.) and also of demonstrating that active citizens may be involved in such specific topic of state policy as the labour policy is. Main outcomes are expert public educated/informed about innovative approaches to state labour policy, promising information base and also efficient elimination of prejudices against Roma as workers. Main outputs are 23 seminars/conferences, 179 published articles and/or TV/radio spots, 8 objections/expert comments to adopted legislation (though not all accepted), 3 collections of abstracts. Beside the project promoter itself beneficiaries were experts, journalists, public servants and NGOs. They participated in many events, got large base of information and suggestions to implement in their work.
Summary of bilateral results