mainstreaming in estonia ee
TRANSCRIPT
Problem Gambling Example of a good practice in Estonia in mainstreaming the results
of development partnership into national legislation
Ministry of Social Affairs of EstoniaChristian Veske
April, 2008
Contents
• Overview of EQUAL in Estonia• DP “Reintegration of Compulsive Gamblers
into the Labour Market and Prevention of their Social Exclusion”
• Structure of the mainstreaming process• Success factors• Obstacles encountered• Conclusions
EQUAL in Estonia
- EQUAL in Estonia was launched on 2004- The EQUAL programme budget in Estonia is total of 5,42 million
euros- Three themes:
- A (facilitating access and return to the labour market for those who have difficulty in being integrated or reintegrated into a labour market which must be open for all),
- G (Reconciling family and professional life) - I (Supporting the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers)
- In 2004 13 projects were selected from 68 applications- Additional funding was available for already existing development
partnerships for mainstreaming in 2007
EQUAL in Estonia (II)
Ministry of Social AffairsManaging Authority
Ministry of FinancePaying Authority
Ministry of FinanceAuditing Body
Labour Market BoardNational Support Structure
“Reintegration of Compulsive Gamblers into the Labour Market and Prevention of Their Social Exclusion”
• Target group: problem gamblers, their families and employers
• Results of the project:– A rehabilitation centre is opened and therapy to problem
gamblers and their family members is given free of charge by psychologists specialised in problem gambling
– Awareness of the problematic is increased in public through numerous articles in national media
– Almost 200 problem gamblers have sought help from the rehabilitation centre
“Reintegration of Compulsive Gamblers into the Labour Market and Prevention of Their Social Exclusion” (II)
• Objectives of mainstreaming:– Propose a strategy to tackle with problem
gambling to Ministry of Social Affairs– Get additional funding from the state to
keep the rehabilitation centre opened
Mainstreaming process
Presentation, memoMA, DPThe DP prepares the background information to high officials. MA prepares a comprehensive memo on the issue and action plan
Stage 5: preparing the background information
List of key persons is drafted
MA, DPIdentify the key persons that are responsible for the changes
Stage 4: Identifying key persons
Action plan MA, DPIdentify the legislation that needs to be changed and means to achieve it
Stage 3: establishing the action plan
Direct contact is established
MA, DPEstablishing contacts with DP
Stage 2: contacts
A document that includes the needs of DPs
MA, evaluatorMap the mainstreaming expectations of DPs.
Stage 1: mapping
ResultResponsibilityActionStage
Mainstreaming process
A Policy paper or strategyRelevant department at the ministry
MA gives the responsibility to relevant department. Working group is working towards achieving set goals
Stage 9: Working group
Working group is established
MA, other departments at the ministry
Establishing the working group consisting of different ministries, NGOs etc.
Stage 8: Establishing an (un)official working group
An appointment with minister. Background documents are sent to the minister beforehand. Minister gives his/ her approval or rejects the idea.
MA, DPMA organises the appointment with the relevant minister where the DP presents the need for action and MA and/or other public official presents the possibilities for achieving the results
Stage 7: Appointment with the minister
Experts and public officials have given their approval to the action plan
MAOrganise meeting with experts and public officials to agree upon the action plan
Stage 6: Organising meetings with experts on the field
ResultResponsibilityActionStage
Mainstreaming process - timeline
• September 2007 – Initial meetings between the DP and public officials from Ministry of Social Affairs
• October 2007 – An appointment with the Minister of Social Affairs of Estonia mrs Maripuu. A consent to establish the working group is given.
• January, 16. 2008 the official working group is established. Working group consists representatives from NGOs, ministries that are related to the topic (education, finance, communication), psychologists, psychiatrist, a former compulsive gambler.
Mainstreaming process - timeline
• Ministry of Finance has expressed their willingness to change the Gambling Tax Act so that the strategy for problem gambling will be financed directly from the Gambling Tax. The changes in the legislation are expected to come to force in January 2009.
• Working group has drafted the initial structure of the strategy and set goals for the strategy. The strategy is expected to be completed in by March 2008 and the action plan by June 2008.
Success factors
• Identification of right key persons• Reasoning the changes• Getting the support from minister or
other high officials• Motivating the key persons
Possible obstacles
• Reluctance from (high) officials if the subject is politically delicate
• Members of working group cannot achieve consensus on the issue
• Slow administrative process
Conclusions
• The mainstreaming process of DP “Reintegration of Compulsive Gamblers into the Legal Labour Market and Prevention of Their Social Exclusion” has set a benchmark in Estonia.
• Current practice is effective in a member state with small number of DPs where direct contacts are possible between the DP and MA.
• Quite often DPs do not have the knowhow and experience in the process of changing national legislation. Therefore direct involvement of MA is crucial.
• This practice is not rigid. It is necessary to adjust it according to the given situation.
Thank you!More information about EQUAL in Estonia:
Ministry of Social Affairs: www2.sm.ee/esf2004
Labour Market Board: www.tta.ee/equal
Christian VeskeMinistry of Social Affairs of EstoniaLabour Market DepartmentEQUAL [email protected] +372 626 9174