Developing and Integrating the Welfare Systems toward a Welfare Mix System Locally Managed in the Adriatic Area
The support for the revision of the social security police framework of the Western Balkans as well as the implementation of revised social security policies was one of the key points, the IPA Multi-beneficiary programmes 2007 and 2008 focussed on. The Welfare system is one of the main differences between EU & non EU Countries in Adriatic Area. The Welfare Mix model is the main model promoted in the EU countries instead of the Welfare State. The main principles of Welfare Mix are: - Progressive devolution of powers and functions to lower institutional levels; - Recognition and appreciation of the role o f the Family as Care Giver; - Introduction of regulatory mechanisms that promote competition among providers, public or private (Profit or Non Profit). This model is the most promising in Europe and is quite new in the East Adriatic Territories. Actually the central administration plays the main role in ruling and planning the welfare system and financing it. There have been several other activities that showed the necessity of reforming the system. Actually there are reforms on going in different countries financed from Wold Bank or Ec funds. This proposal aims at valorising the existing works done and to be inserted and to be stimulate and be part of the regulatory reforms on going proposing a sustainable model of welfare. The activities will aim at preparing framework policies , make them approved for a real decentralization of the welfare system and an evolution toward an Welfare mix system. Pilot actions will implement the policies proposed and will be established a Decentralized Agency for delivering Social Services in Albania. The involvement of private actors will be stimulated and a model of Social enterprises proposed and the establishment of 15 social enterprises in the Adriatic region is foreseen. A joint Observatory on Welfare policies will be established in Croatia and a database on line published. The LB, the Municipality of Tirana, one of the biggest municipalities of the Adriatic area will be the proponent of the new model of Welfare Mix, managed at local level in joint cooperation between private and Public actors. ADRIATIC WELFARE MIX aims to create an efficient welfare system as well as to implement a model of social business, harmonizing the supply of professional jobs with the demand for social services. Furthermore project partners intend to address their local needs for youth groups in risk, in order to support their transition from the secondary school level into the labor force; increase their access to employment opportunities; and increase their inclusion in civic affairs. Added effort in key areas, such as delivery of basic employment services to the poorest, market development and education, must be forthcoming.