Social enterprise as a model for employing people locally - experiences from an Equal-project Equal- community initiative promotes equal opportunities at work Funded by ESF Ministry of social affairs and health cities of Turku, Helsinki and Lahti

Social enterprise as a model for employing people locally - experiences from an Equal-project goal 1 ) is to employ people with a vulnerable labour market position (disabilities or long-term unemployment) goal 2) after the project is finished to have a profitable social firm goal 3) to create services to the local area- increase well-being

Social enterprise as a model for employing people locally - experiences from an Equal-project social enterprise in Finland –produces goods or services –at least 30 % of the employed are with a disadvantaged labour market position –normal wages and rules

Social enterprise as a model for employing people locally - experiences from an Equal-project social enterprise in Finland –forthcoming law proposes benefits to employees for a certain period (5 years) no benefits to enterprise no funds to rehabilitation

Social enterprise as a model for employing people locally - experiences from an Equal-project Local social enterprises –Maunula, Helsinki services to homes (cleaning, assistance, recycling, housing advisor) –Halinen &Kohmo, Turku computer classes and recycling, housing advisor –Liipola, Lahti care of elderly & forest clearing, after-school activities

Social enterprise as a model for employing people locally - experiences from an Equal-project Local social enterprises –all three projects are run by local tenant’s organisations –16 employed –most of the employees are local and have been long- term unemployed –most have no or little experience in the work

Social enterprise as a model for employing people locally - experiences from an Equal-project Local social enterprises –in-work training –enterprise coaching provided by project –rehabilitation is missing, which is a big problem

Social enterprise as a model for employing people locally - experiences from an Equal-project Local social enterprises –goal is to have three social enterprises in the end of the project (11/2004) –co-operative is the most likely type of firm –the co-operative might include other people as well (in Maunula local computer aid project employees ?)

Social enterprise as a model for employing people locally - experiences from an Equal-project Local social enterprises –the project is based upon local knowledge (what the area needs ) –for ex. in Maunula cleaning and other care for elderly, as the city has diminished their services and at the same time there is a lot of need for such services -> there has a lot of demand