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 so-
called 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
vercseg@kkapcsolat.hu