Support for IPSS active in the social field — financing under direct‐ and shared-management programmes

16.9.2014

Question for written answer E-006938-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
João Ferreira (GUE/NGL)

Espaço t — Associação para Apoio à Integração Social e Comunitária, a Portuguese private social solidarity institution (IPSS) celebrating its 20th anniversary, promotes inclusion by developing artistic skills. It works primarily with those in danger of social exclusion, for example the long-term unemployed, young and older people with special needs, people recovering from substance abuse, people suffering economic hardship, and people who belong to minorities on account of their ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or physical or mental condition. However, in spite of the innumerable prizes and awards that it has received, this institution, which serves about 500 users, is, like so many other IPSS, in a situation in which a shortage of funds is undermining its stability and jeopardising its on-going efforts to achieve its aims.

1. Which EU programmes and measures could be used to support the activities of Espaço t and similar institutions, and under what directly managed Commission programmes could IPSS apply for support?

2. What was the outcome of the negotiations between the Portuguese Government and the Commission as regards possible sources of funding for these institutions from 2014 to 2020?

3. Regarding the innovation and social entrepreneurship programme, what substantive matters does it cover and what policy directions and priorities is it designed to pursue?