COOPERATION BETWEEN NGO´S AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AT NATIONAL LEVEL What is being done to prevent trafficking in women and to assist victims? 16 Oct 2008, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Jenni Tuominen, Development Manager MONIKA - Multicultural Women´s Association FINLAND

MONIKA - Multicultural Women´s Association in Finland (1998) Umbrella organization for 18 immigrant women associations in Finland. Nationwide service provision for immigrant women and children victims of violence. Easy access service points, 24h telephone helpline, shelter Mona-home at secret address. Multicultural staff - 30 employees provide services in c. 23 different languages. About 4500 women and children who come from 60 different countries, reached annually.

FINNISH FRAMEWORK National Action Plan Against Trafficking of Human Beings adopted in August 2005 Revised Action Plan adopted in June 2008 Built on four principles:  Victim-centered approach  Human rights based approach  Gender and child sensitivity  Multi-stakeholder cooperation and cross-discipline approach in all actions.  Implementation managed by broad-based interagency National Steering Committee

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN FINLAND Finland is both a destination and transit country Number of identified victims still low: 32 victims (12 minors) in assistance system since At the moment 16 victims in the assistance system (4 minors). 1 case of safe return. 1 sentenced case. Low numbers do not represent the actual situation: not enough training and knowhow on identification on victims.

Structure of inter-agency cooperation in assisting the victims of human trafficking  Ministry of Interior is responsible for coordinating the National Action Plan and the assistance system for VOT´s.  Service and support measures are organized by two regional asylum seekers reception centers  NGO service provision by contract agreement  Multi-stakeholder Steering Committee monitors  Ombudsman for minorities independent rapporteur  National NGO network (experience and data)  National troika of Nordic-Baltic Project

Services for victims Accommodation Health care Psychosocial help and therapy Legal aid Education and support to enter labor market Financial support Administrative support Interpreters Guardians for children

Added value of Nordic-Baltic Pilot Project Multi-country cooperation Victim centered safe returns At national level growing understanding of value of international collaboration Good cooperation has lead to progress in interagency cooperation: move from ad hoc collaboration to official contracts and more clear division of labour between NGO´s and authorities.

Challenges for the future Lack of financial resources No ear-marked funding for the implementation of National Action Plan. How to keep up the added value and the positive outcomes of Nordic-Baltic Pilot Project? If we do not have the funding to continue the work without a break – regression or setback in progress already made?

Thank you!