Integration and Identity 2014 | Page 7

FINANCIAL SUPPORT MANAGEMENT FOR FAMILIES Type Description Method This method was part of PRAKSIS antipoverty program “SynstoPlin” which means in Greek “a Plus to Minus”. This program was innovative for Greece, both in terms of methodology and potential impact and it had been designed based on best practices internationally after extensive contact with organizations abroad. It was aiming to support 200 families / approximately 800 people on a monthly basis, only Greek citizens. As this method of financial support was one of the most effective tools of our program, we are trying to involve it in our projects with beneficiaries that are immigrants or asylum-seekers. Basic method for financial support – management to families:  We don’t provide the family with an amount of money that she can use as she wants, but after we prioritize their needs (together with the family members), and we provide them financial support for specific needs (for example electricity bill, rent, daily food, transportation… ).  We try to help the family with the process (for example where and how to pay a bill, how to use the public transportation, where to buy something…).  Before we provide more financial support we check that previous support was ok (for example we check that previous bills are paid).  We try not to provide them with goods that we have bought or we have receive from a donation, but we prefer to give them vouchers that they can spend in a supermarket and buy what they need. The ultimate aim of this method is to help the beneficiaries autonomous and to integrate them in the Greek society through the daily routine.  Family members are not free to buy everything with the vouchers, but only food, sanitary products and products that help them to clean their house. We check their receipts and we help them to find good practices with their shopping habits. Weblinks (e.g. to videos, homepages) Annexes (e.g. worksheets, presentations) Name Email Homepage: SynstoPlin 7 Read the last biannual report of our actions (page 42-49): biannual report-en Karagiannis Valantis – Kontogiannakis Giannis [email protected]@yahoo.gr