About partners
L'Armée du Salut, FR
In France, the Salvation Army employs 2500 workers and has around 5000 volunteers. It includes 200 centers and services.
The program involved in this project is La Cité de Refuge-Centre Espoir (CRCE), located in the south of Paris. The CRCE includes a professional integration project, a shelter for accommodation and social rehabilitation, and a center for women, la „Cité des Dames".
The Cité des Dames is a day center / overnight stop, open 24/7, where women can freely come and rest. It is not an accommodation center: there is only one main room with 26 chairs, and a sleeping room with 24 beds. It welcomes 300 different women facing homelessness every year, on an unconditional basis, meaning that any adult woman can come in, regardless of their documents, health issues, etc. The Cité des Dames provides different services: material services - resting room, warm meals, toilets, showers, laundry, hygienic supplies (including menstrual hygiene), social support and medical services. The psychological assessment is done by a psychologist, and also by partners from psychiatric institutions who help with addressing women to psychiatric services.
The shelter (CHRS) accommodates 300 people, 37% of which are women who can be isolated or with their families. Their conditions are very different from the women in la Cité des Dames because once they enter the shelter, they are given a room in which they can stay until they find a proper place to live. Therefore they have a private accommodation, access to a social restaurant 3 times a day, and are given social support to help them in all aspects of social inclusion (administration, health, financial resources)
The ERASMUS+ project will include both women from the CHRS and from the Cité des Dames.
FEANTSA
FEANTSA is the only European NGO working exclusively on homelessness and has over 130 members across Europe providing services to homeless people. FEANTSA works towards ending homelessness by engaging in constant dialogue with the European institutions, national and regional governments to promote the development and implementation of effective measures to end homelessness; by conducting and disseminating research and data collection to promote a better understanding of the nature, extent, causes of, and solutions to homelessness and by promoting and facilitating the exchange of information, experience and good practice between FEANTSA's member organisations and relevant stakeholders. FEANTSA also engages in raising public awareness about the complexity of homelessness and the multidimensional nature of the problems faced by homeless people.
Women’s homelessness is a significant priority for FEANTSA and its members. There is a growing recognition among its members that services need to be equipped to respond to the diverse situations and needs of women who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. For this to happen, it is important that we learn through transnational research and exchange about the needs of women who are homeless, their pathways into homelessness and what are the facilitators and barriers for women to exit homelessness. In 2022 FEANTSA WOMEN, a community of practice on women's homelessness was launched. FEANTSA WOMEN brings together professionals across Europe and facilitates their exchange of knowledge, experience, and good practices with a view to improve policies and practices for women who are experiencing homelessness. FEANTSA WOMEN has developed resources on women's homelessness and organised several webinars with a large number of participants.
Kings of the Street, SI
The Association Kings of the Street gathers people with different socio-economic background: homeless people and people who are connected with the phenomenon of poverty and homelessness: experts (social workers, pedagogues, anthropologists, sociologists, psychologists …), students, voluntary workers. We work on theoretical and practical level: we take care for studying, researching in the field of homelessness and for prevention of homelessness, for improvement of living conditions of homeless people, for development of practical and innovative models for coping with poverty.
The organization has developed different programs for homeless people and other socially excluded groups:
- Street paper – alternative newspaper which is mainly written by homeless people and also sold by them on the street. They get to keep half of price the other half goes for printing costs, editorial work etc…
- Day centre – is a place where people can rest, buy the street paper, store their personal stuff, get hair cut, get support with searching for work, place to stay … we also have different meetings in day centre as meeting of editorial board and different workshops.
- University under the stars - alternative model of un-formal education where people can engage in different activities: sports, cultural, educational.
- Resettlement program Housing first: a program with supported housing for homeless people.
- Field work: we try to get close to people on the street in their environment, to empower them, share information with them and try to reduce health, social and economic damage.
- Employment program for homeless people which operates as social cooperative.
In the association we have 30 employees and approx. 40 volunteers and outside supporters. We have around 300 members.
We have carried out different projects in the field of women experiencing homelessness. We are presented as a good practice in the field of employment of homeless women, we also offer special support to women and families in our housing programs and also organize safe places for homeless women to mingle, share their experiences.
Our participation in an Erasmus+ project in the past on the topic of homeless women has encouraged us to start creating programmes and conditions that are specifically sensitive to women. We set up a women's support group, which has been running continuously for several years, and more and more women are involved in it. We have also started to develop women-only supportive housing. Our focus is also on (homeless) mothers. We are also working on the issue of homeless women through research, in collaboration with the Department of Social Pedagogy and the National Institute of Public Health. We are recognised by the media and other stakeholders as important interlocutors on this issue experiences and support each other, so we work on empowerment of homeless women.
SETU
SETU Waterford is one of the campuses of the South East Technological University (SETU) in the South East of Ireland. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate higher educational programmes and research activities. These include training and education programmes such as social care, social sciences, further and community education programmes across different departments and schools. It holds strong collaborative networks across local, national and European services and industries. The university has collaborated with European NGOs and partners across a range of different Eramus plus and other European projects, so the university is experienced in the areas of collaborative research and training partnerships locally, nationally and within Europe (see https://www.wit.ie/research/our_research/wit-research-strategy and https://www.setu.ie/about/setu-president/setu-strategy/strategic-plan-2… for more details).
Lead expert Dr Méabh Savage is a lecturer in the Department of Social Care and Early Childhood in the Faculty of Humanities since 2020 and also teaches across a number of other programmes including the MA in Social Justice and Public Policy and social sciences. Before that she was the Programme leader and lecturer on the part-time degree for adult learners in social care in the School of Lifelong Learning for 11 years. Méabh is also a practice placement lecturer, thesis supervisor and currently is supervising two PhD students (one in the area of homelessness, the other relating to women). Méabh is research active in a number of areas that focus on (in)equality including, homeless motherhood, minority ethnic families and homelessness, mental health service users with housing needs, mothers living in direct provision and domestic violence service evaluation.She is therefore very skilled in the areas of teaching and learning, facilitation and research with marginalized groups and adult learners. Méabh has a mixture of specific research and professional experience in the sphere of women's homelessness. She worked with homeless women and women experiencing domestic abuse for approximately 10 years. She completed a Masters in Adult and Community Education and facilitated art-based learning with homeless women for this research study in 2009. Méabh completed her doctoral research in Equality Studies with homeless mothers unaccompanied by their children in 2019. The methodology used for this research supported a pedagogical aim, so that mothers could ‘teach’ professionals how they want to be cared for. Méabh is experienced at facilitating adult learning with professionals in training and with homelessness women and has completed a range of creative training programmes to support this.
SOMOS
SOMOS Mulheres is an association founded by and for women who have experienced or are currently facing homelessness. The organization's primary focus lies in advocating for the rights of women experiencing homelessness and those exposed to street violence. Key objectives encompass the cultivation of trust-based relationships with affected women, addressing their specific needs, promoting access to healthcare, facilitating access to social and citizenship services, encouraging inclusive employment, offering referrals to housing solutions, and raising community awareness on these issues. Through these multifaceted initiatives, the 6 unpaid members of SOMOS strive to empower women and contribute to a more inclusive society.
SOMOS possesses extensive experience and diverse activities relevant to the project at hand, being deeply involved in advocacy, support, and community engagement initiatives tailored to the needs of those experiencing homelessness, particularly women.
SOMOS is highly active in advocacy and awareness campaigns and has a proven track record of advocating for the rights and needs of women experiencing homelessness, particularly concerning access to healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities. Through these campaigns, SOMOS aims to highlight the challenges faced by women and foster community understanding and empathy.
The organization prioritizes building trust-based relationships with affected women to better understand and respond to their individual circumstances, and provides a range of support services designed to address the specific needs of women experiencing homelessness, namely access to healthcare, counselling, referrals to housing solutions, and assistance in navigating social services.
Moreover, SOMOS actively engages with local communities, stakeholders, and policymakers to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and advocate for systemic change in addressing homelessness among women.
The members involved in this project possess diverse skills and expertise relevant to the partnership, namely a deep understanding of the complex needs and challenges faced by homeless women and the expertise in advocating for policy changes and systemic reforms.
Y-Foundation (Y-Säätiö), FI
The Y-Foundation (Y-Säätiö) is a key national developer of the Housing First principle in Finland. With over 19,000 apartments in more than 50 cities and municipalities, the Y-Foundation is the fourth-largest landlord in Finland. It provides affordable rental homes to individuals of low income, experiencing homelessness or those at risk of becoming homeless. Cities, municipalities, and their property companies sublet some of these apartments to residents in need of stable housing.
At the core of the Y-Foundation's mission is the promotion of social justice, achieved by developing affordable housing in Finland's largest cities, where it is most needed. Each building project is tailored to local needs, creating housing units where support services can be easily provided. Additionally, the Y-Foundation builds state-subsidized rental homes under the M2-Kodit brand and acquires rental properties by purchasing individual apartments from the open market.
The Y-Foundation’s work is grounded in deep expertise on homelessness and the Housing First principle. This knowledge stems from close cooperation with municipalities and NGOs, as well as research on homelessness.
One notable project, coordinated by the Y-Foundation, focused on women’s homelessness. Over three years, in collaboration with various partners, the initiative aimed to increase suitable housing for women, secure their housing, enhance the skills of professionals working with women, and promote best practices. It also worked to strengthen the role of people with lived experiences of homelessness.
Suur-Helsingin Valkonauha NGO (Greater Helsinki White Ribbon NGO) is an associate partner. They are a women's organisation founded in 1928 to support women in difficult life situations and promote well-being. The focus is on providing help by strengthening the individual's resources and increasing the perspective of hope. The association's women's housing unit Liisankoti in Helsinki has since the 1960s provided communal housing for women with difficulties in life management, substance abuse and housing. The association's values are reflected in its activities through respectful encounters and a strong recovery orientation. In 2022, Liisankoti, which had been an addiction treatment housing service for decades, was replaced by supported housing for the homeless. During the year, the association strengthened its substance abuse housing and supported housing activities and created two new communities for women. In addition, the association has started the support work in scattered housing in the Helsinki capital region.
Vailla vakinaista asunto ry (No Fixed Abode NGO), FI
No Fixed Abode, Vva ry, is an NGO whose purpose is to reduce homelessness and improve services for homeless people. We work together with our visitors to find suitable housing solutions for each one, as well as with other actors to influence Finnish housing policies. We act as the only advocates of the interests of homeless people in the third sector. Vva is not committed to any political parties’ or religious communities’ agenda, and all our operations are non-profit.
Our main premise is that every person can live independently if they are provided with adequate conditions and support. Housing is a fundamental human and social right, and its absence cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
The purpose of all activities of Vva is to ensure that everyone will find a decent place to live within an acceptable time.
We are a nationwide organization. Our office is located in Helsinki and our services are concentrated in the Helsinki metropolitan area, where the majority of Finland’s homeless people reside.
Our work is divided into a low-threshold services, housing services and NGO work.
Vva was founded in 1986 by homeless people themselves, when there were 20 000 homeless people in Finland. In 2023 the number was 3 429. Vva also started the first piloting project for housing first model in Finland, in 2007. Today Vva has about 40 employees working in various areas of service. About 40 percent of our employees have first-hand experience of homelessness.
Naistenkartano NGO, FI
Naistenkartano is an organization established first in 1922 to take preventive action towards women’s mental health and addiction issues. During its 100 years of existence, the organization first started as women’s abstinence movement but has today shifted its perspective towards a more holistic understanding of women’s well-being. Our main form of activity are the NOVAT peer support groups designed specifically for women’s needs. We welcome all expressions of female identity in our group activities. The organization strives to support women by giving them tools to be empowered and strengthening their feeling of being in control of their own everyday lives.
Our mission: Women feel free to be themselves. They question roles and expectations that are being set for them from the outside. Their mental well-being improves and they feel more in control of their own everyday lives.
Service promise: Participants in peer support group activities feel more in control of their lives and feel that they are not alone. They feel free to be themselves. Their personal relationship with their inner selves and self-awareness and acceptance improves.
Central topics for Naistenkartano are peer support groups for women; self-help and emphasis on strengths and resources; empowerment of women and women’s advocacy work.
We offer the following services: NOVAT peer support groups for women, both online nation-wide and face to face primarily in Helsinki and Tampere areas; anonymous online support one to one; webinars, lectures and workshops on topics related to women’s well-being open for all; support, education and consulting other professionals in the field of social well-being on questions regarding women’s well-being and coordinating a nation-wide network of professionals in the field of women-specific social work
For further information: https://www.naistenkartano.com/naistenkartano-english/; https://www.naistenkartano.com/novat-in-english/