The Salvation Army EU Affairs Office: Social enterprise as part of an integrated approach to Roma inclusion
26 September, 14:00-17:00 | European Economic and Social Committee, Rue Belliard 99-101, Brussels B-1000, Belgium
The event aims to highlight the potential of social enterprise, as well as identify barriers and areas for development to better reach excluded communities such as Roma. A bilateral project (supported by Norway Grants) from the Salvation Army Norway/Romania will be presented, demonstrating an integrated approach to Roma inclusion. The project comprises of work training and employment based on the Salvation Army business model FRETEX in Norway which is the largest vocational rehabilitation company in Norway and the largest second-hand chain store in Norway. Based on this model, six shops and one sorting centre have been established in Romania, whilst vulnerable families are provided with better access to basic services in education, health and social protection, including an after-school programme, drawn together through two community centres.
The event aims to draw together two priority issues at EU level of both Roma inclusion and social enterprise/ social economy, and to encourage links to be made on both issues, between the European Commission and also civil society actors. Participants will also receive a copy of a new mapping report which gives an overview of the diverse work of the Salvation Army with Roma across Europe and highlights the role of the Salvation Army as a key actor in the inclusion of Roma.
