Drug- and alcohol-related nuisance is an important policy issue in nearly all smaller, medium-sized and bigger cities. In 2014 the Netherlands reported an increasing number of drug- and alcohol related nuisance, caused by homeless people: 45.910 cases compared to 44.161 cases in 2013 [Politie, Local Focus, 2015]. Experience and research has shown that this is a pan-European problem which many local and municipal authorities are struggling to address in an effective manner [ FEANTSA 2013]. A broad range of participatory interventions and prevention activities have been developed to prevent nuisance among youngsters. Intervention, targeting adults however, are limited and mainly based on repressive and sanctionary acts, including arrests, restraining orders and fines. Less is known about inclusive strategies and adult learning opportunities, which provide daily structure and support to this specific group. Experience shows that strategies, tackling wider economic and social exclusion such as education, training and employment (ETE) can play a vital role in the (re)integration and recovery of homeless people and other marginalised groups [Homelessness and Homeless Policies in Europe: Lessons from Research, 2010]. The envisaged final target group of this project includes homeless people and other marginalised groups, loitering in the street and causing alcohol- or drug-related nuisance. This target group will be reached during local pilot interventions in 4 European countries. In addition, the project will directly target social services, adult trainers and local governments, which directly work with the final target group. There is only limited experience with inclusive interventions, which create opportunities instead of further exclusion and build on the existing potential in each person. We know that work and education can contribute to the participation and the inclusion of people. Disadvantaged groups face unequal opportunities on all different levels and have certainly less access to work and educational opportunities [Nicaise, Ides; A smart social inclusion policy for the EU – the role of education and training]. The Street Support Project is built on the idea that each person has the potential to learn and to do something meaningful. Adult learning, work and other activities can play a vital role in this context, as long as it is adapted to the specific needs and living conditions of the target group. Objectives:The main objective of the project is to provide adult learning providers, organisations and local governments with tools and models of good practice, resulting in effective and inclusive adult learning and working opportunities for alcohol- and drug users and reduction ofalcohol- and drug related nuisance in the public space. More specifically the project has three overarching objectives and results:Best Practices and information exchange: - European Assessment Report in the field of homelessness and the alcohol- and drug related nuisance - Country Reports in 6 European countries, describing the situation in regard to homelessness and alcohol- and drug related nuisance - Toolbox for service providers and local governments, including guidance and support for the development and implementation of inclusive adult learning and work integration opportunities- Models of good practice within Europe to showcase effective adult learning and work integration opportunitiesDevelop, implement and validate cost-effective and sustainable practices:- 4 validated local pilot interventions - 4 documented case studies Dissemination on European and national level:- Online Resource Centre and dissemination platform- 4 national multiplier events to disseminate the activities and results of the project among relevant national stakeholders - 1 European multiplier event to disseminate the outcomes of the project to a large number of European stakeholders and promote effective and inclusive adult learning and work integration opportunitiesThe objectives of the project are clearly linked to the overall rationale and specific needs of the final target group. The project includes research elements, education and capacity building, but can on the long term also contribute to a better policy / approach towards alcohol- and /or drug users, causing nuisance in the public space. It will boost and stimulate inclusive adult learning and work integration strategies and contribute to a more inclusive society, in which marginalised groups will be provided with learning and employment opportunities.
Context A broad range of participatory interventions and prevention activities has been developed to prevent nuisance among youngsters. Interventions, targeting adults however, are limited and mainly based on repressive and sanctionary acts, including arrests, restraining orders and fines. Less is known about inclusive strategies and adult learning opportunities, which provide daily structure and support to this specific group. Experience shows that strategies tackling wider economic and social exclusion such as education, training and employment (ETE) can play a vital role in the (re)integration and recovery of homeless people and other marginalised groups (Busch-Geertsema, Edgar, O’Sullivan, & Pleace, 2010). While many efforts are being made to create equal opportunity for all, in reality, disadvantaged groups face unequal opportunities on all different levels and certainly have less access to work and educational opportunities (Nicaise & NESSE, 2010). Future interventions should therefore reduce these barriers and develop an integrated and more inclusive approach, which create opportunities instead of restrictions. Objectives: The main objective of the project was to provide adult learning providers, service providers and local governments with tools and models of good practice, which contribute to the social inclusion and participation of alcohol- and drug users and reduce at the same time alcohol- and drug related nuisance in the public space. The Street Support Project was built on the idea that each person has the potential to learn and to do something meaningful. Adult learning, education, work and other activities, supporting social inclusion and participation can play a vital role in this context., More specifically the project aimed to: * Promote Best Practices and information exchange: * Develop, implement and validate cost-effective and sustainable practices: * Disseminate information, knowledge and results of the project on European and national level: Participating Organisations: The project consortium consisted of 6 organisations: De Regenboog Groep – main applicant of this project – offers a broad range of services, such as day and night shelters, drug consumption rooms, adult learning opportunities and work integration programmes, by particular focusing on homeless people and drug- and alcohol users. The organisation coordinates as well Correlation – European Network Social Inclusion & Health, with more than 180 members within Europe (www.correlation-net.org). This networking function will help to disseminate project activities and results to a broad number of relevant stakeholders. FEANTSA (European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless) is a network organisation and centre of expertise in the field of homelessness. Based on their expertise, their research capacities and their European networking role, they can play a vital role in collecting data and information, linking to relevant organisations in the field and disseminating relevant information. In addition, 4 other organisation participated in the project, all of them working for homeless people, alcohol- and drug users and other marginalised groups. They explicitly were interested to develop and implement innovative and inclusive strategies: – Fixpunkt (Berlin, Germany), – Společnost Podané ruce o.p.s. - SPR (Brno, Czech Republic), – Comité Ciudadano Anti Sida de la Comunidad Valenciana – CCASCV (Valencia, Spain) – Cork Simon Community – CSC (Cork, Ireland) Activities of the project: The project consortium * Carried out a European-wide assessment in the field of homelessness and alcohol- and drug related nuisance * Compiled country reports in 5 European countries (Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Spain, Ireland) and one European Report, describing the situation in regard to homelessness and alcohol- and drug related nuisance * Developed a toolbox for service providers and local governments, including guidance and support for the development and implementation of inclusive interventions * Collected models of good practice within Europe to showcase effective inclusive strategies * Developed and implemented four local pilot interventions and validated them with the Self-Sufficiency Matrix (developed by the Municipal Health Service of Amsterdam and the City of Rotterdam) • Organised 4 national multiplier events to disseminate the activities and results of the project among relevant national stakeholders • Organised a European multiplier event to disseminate the outcomes of the project to a large number of European stakeholders and promote effective and inclusive strategies Results The project created impact and awareness at both the policy maker’s level and the service provider’s level. A broad range of stakeholders was informed about the activities and results of the project.