Local governments make decisions affecting social inclusion almost daily. Every decision can impact a specific social group and can accelerate, slow down or stop its social integration. In spite of this, there is a lack of capacities and mechanisms for implementing social inclusion policies among representatives of local governments and other stakeholders. That is why a toolkit has been developed for the project “Social Inclusion at the Local Level”, for advancing knowledge and capacities of local actors in developing and implementing social inclusion policies. The toolkit includes a handbook, a training program and training material.
The manual aims to help local governments and actors advance their knowledge and skills in this area. It provides answers to three key questions: 1. What are social inclusion policies? 2. How are these policies integrated into the activities of the local government and their decisions and measures? 3. How is the situation regarding social inclusion and social protection in the local community monitored?
The training program is intended for local actors, political decision makers, local government and civil society organization representatives. It consists of materials required for a three-day course and includes presentations of key concepts, challenges, circumstances and measures for monitoring social inclusion policies at EU, national and local levels.
The list of indicators contains tables presenting indicators and their definitions and sources. It was produced in order to enable regular monitoring of social inclusion and social protection at the local level, as well as a comparison of municipalities, both with each other and with the situation in relevant district and region.
