Citizens' social support networks (HYVE)

Host Country : Finland

Place and date : Joensuu , 23. - 24.9.2004

Peer countries : Austria - Belgium - Germany - Greece - Latvia - Malta - United Kingdom

HYVE is a model for regional action to further welfare in which one or more municipalities co-operate with the Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health, its regional associations and other local actors including the regional centres of expertise in social welfare. The work is based on the social situation, needs, problems and challenges in the relevant area. The aim is to generate welfare services and support through co-operation in which the work of public-sector professionals is co-ordinated with third-sector and NGO activities. Various kinds of network models are used for this co-ordination, concentrating on preventing threats and risks and actively overhauling service concepts and welfare service structures. This approach results in tailored solutions for preventing social exclusion, that take local circumstances into account. The HYVE model also combines personnel training with a research-oriented approach.

The administrative basis of the model is a framework agreement between the above-mentioned Federation, a municipality (or municipalities) in the region (Oulu, Joensuu, Jyväskylä and Jyväskylä rural municipality) and regional social security associations, and joint action plans and network budgets drawn up annually.

The action model also demonstrates that, after an initial project stage, a joint development scheme can be successfully turned into a permanent arrangement with long-term effectiveness. Work is at the project stage in two regions: in Southern Finland the city involved is Helsinki, and in Western Finland, the cities are Kokkola, Seinäjoki and Vaasa.

Source: NAP/incl Finland, 2003 and Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland

Peer Review manager

Mr Kai Leichsenring ( European Centre )

Document Actions

Citizens' social support networks (HYVE)

Host Country : Finland

Place and date : Joensuu , 23. - 24.9.2004

Peer countries : Austria - Belgium - Germany - Greece - Latvia - Malta - United Kingdom

Peer Review manager

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