Coop R Active Ilona Vercseg

COOP-R-ACTIVE International Seminar 20 October 2009 Kunbábony

Community Development and Community Economic Development in Hungary New challenge for local communities after 1989: to contribute to the growth and development of their living standards. Previously, the ‘socialist’ economy did not demand this contribution, although people could benefit from the socalled second economy: - Small-scale agricultural production - small-scale industries - trades, as well as white collar professions The second economy was built on the first economy and would not have been viable without it.

Main effects of „second economy” Since the socialist economy was a deficit producing economy, these modest, capital-lacking small enterprises were suitable for supplementing the incomes of families and individuals. However, in the fight for individual wellbeing, communities were sidelined.

Principal conditions for community renewal 1. The power of belonging to the community 2. High level of participation (even in economic processes!)

CD and CED symbiosis Community development engages with the economic needs of communities because: - it is capable of strengthening a sense of belonging, - it enhances the involvement of residents in their own affairs, including economic-related community activities. In this sense, economic and community development exist in symbiosis with each other.

Antecedents in the Hungarian CD Since 1992 – learning impulse from Swedish and British practice 2006 New Cooperative Law 2007 National Employment Foundation’s grant programme for training mentors to support social co-operatives and help establish new ones

A CD arena The small region of the Upper-Kiskunság 1997: - The opening of the Civil College Community Centre - The establishing a CD programme in the small region. It was run by the HACD first, then a local association was set up: Association of Community Workers in Upper-Kiskunság The programme professionally is run by Zsuzsa Mészáros

Attempts for increasing social ecomony in Upper-Kiskunság • • • •

Daily childcare Running a community house Daily care on elderly people Community laundry These were granted projects, targeting the increase of local employment

The Reflex-Coop Independent community enterprise that enjoyed: - Professional support by the Association of Community Workers in Upper-Kiskunság - Funding from the National Employment Fund

Community TV In a small region consisting of 10 communities in central Hungary, young people established a social co-operative for the promotion of communication between communities.

Community TV 2. Antecedent: - The regional union of local authorities raised funds for developing cable TV, broadband Internet and a telephone network for the area, - As a result of CD activities of ACW, four students and three unemployed people formed a team and attended training courses: - Organisational development - Community media - Preparation of business plans Courses were conducted by professional CD workers.

Community TV 3. The ACW organised study trips to different community television stations. The young people chose the social cooperative as an organisational form. They conceived their work as being IN THE COMMUNITY and FOR THE COMMUNITY-

Community TV 4. Jobs for 3 young people Work experience for another 10 starting their careers Information-flow in the communities Contact building (interactive programmes) Getting to know the small region better, shaping regional identity Community networking

The contribution of CD to the community economic processes • Developes collective way of thinking • Enhances participation in the community • Empowers people for active citizenship

Thank you for your kind attention!

Ilona Vercseg HACD – Civil College [email protected]