1. B: BUILDING FAMILY SUSTAINABILITY

2. Key ideas: Family - Sustainability - Solutions A changing economic situation (current economic crisis) → a shift in family values & behaviour Identify most vulnerable social groups & those at high risk of poverty e.g. single mothers Identify & set short/long term priorities: education, responsibilities, gender equality at all levels (local, national, EU)

3. Recommendations to Individuals & Families Deeper understanding, solidarity, cooperation & support between family members Set up local/neighbourhood family support groups/talk groups - parents/grandparents to get together to discuss problems/issues and support one another - communication & interaction can be a great support tool in difficult situations Strengthen family values & mutual respect

4. Recommendations to Organisations Public forums - partnership between citizens/organisations/local councils/governments - workshops & discussion groups to help parents cope with economic difficulties & prevent family dysfunction - offer informative help on available social services/support as well as therapeutic help (talking/sharing) HEIFER International - ''NGO whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance & sustainability'' (www.heifer.org) – its presence must be strengthened in the Baltic States Volunteer & get involved with community service projects e.g. Ģimenes Šūpulis - Family Cradle (http://www.gimenes-supulis.lv/en/about_us) ''founded in 2003 with the goal to create a place of shelter for lonely, abandoned pregnant women and young mothers, represent an education and support centre for young people, young parents and midwives, as well as be a natural birth centre''

5. Recommendations to Organisations Develop & set up organisations whose main goal is to help & empower vulnerable social groups - destitute communities/ethnic minorities Empower/involve/support NGOs whose target group is a dysfunctional family - whose key objective is to combat family dysfunction caused by economic downturns Strengthen life-long learning programmes Inform! - give public advice and informative help regarding family gender roles & values – what support is available for families affected by the current economic situation Promote gender equality to reduce domestic abuse - geared towards both men & women Women‘s support groups - geared towards combating domestic violence & aggression - help & support victims

6. Recommendations to Municipalities Flexible working time for parents Invest in kindergartens - build & improve services & raise standards - ensure spaces for children whose parents work Day-care centres/home visits/social workers for the elderly particularly those living alone

7. Recommendations to National Governments Improve social benefit system - increase child support – provide adequate & balanced first/second/third etc. child support payments Continue providing tax advantages for young families Revise/improve tax exemption/reduction – graduates/low salaried workers/single parents Improve sex education in schools to reduce teenage pregnancy (national governments could look to the Dutch model for education) Revise paternity leave/support conditions - fathers should also be entitled to and able to receive benefits

8. Recommendations to National Governments Revise national legislation to combat child neglect Revise national legislation to fight domestic violence Increase efficiency - effectively split responsibilities between the state and municipal authorities for questions and programmes aimed at fighting poverty National governments to delegate more responsibilities to NGOs Inform & cooperate with NGOs - provide the appropriate NGOs with information regarding budget allocations for specific programmes & issue priorities for each fiscal year Gender mainstreaming in all government solutions

9. Recommendations to EP/EU level solutions Harmonization & standardisation of kindergarten policies in all EU Member States to promote adequate social support for children in every European Union country Improve & revise mechanisms & policies aimed at combating child neglect & fighting domestic violence & domestic aggression & social inclusion/support for the elderly