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Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union Rue de Londres 17 B-1050 Brussels T: +32 2 511 41 79 F: +32 2 514 47 73 secretariat@coface-eu.org

www.coface-eu.org

Visit us on:

COFACE is supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity - PROGRESS (2007-2013). For more information see: http://ec.europa.eu/progress The information contained in this report does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. Responsible of the publication: William Lay | Editor: Ana Pérez | Illustrations: © NLshop

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Table�of�cTable�of�cTable�of�cTable�of�contentsontentsontentsontents���� Introduction ………………………...………………………………………………………………….……….………….………………….…….

p 4

1. About COFACE ……………………………………………………………………….………………………..…….……………………….…. - Mission and Structure

2. 2011 priorities ……………………………………………………….………………………….……………………….…………….…….… - Main Policies

- Child and family poverty, EU Family leave provisions, Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Family carers, Inclusive education, De-institutionalisation of people with disabilities, Financial services, Collective redress, Roma families

- Cross-cutting priorities - 2011 European Year on Volunteering, 2012 European Year on Active ageing and solidarity

between generations, Steps towards 2014 European Year for the Well-being of Families

3. Lobbying ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....…………………… - European Commission, European Parliament, European Council, European Economic and Social

Committee, European networks

4. Communication ………………………………………………………………………………..……………………….………………………. - New visual identity and publications

5. European projects ………………………………………….…………………...……..…………………….…………..…………………… - Daphne, Flabel, FamilyPlatform, Carers

6. Main events ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………

7. Finances …………………………………………………………..…………………………………….……………………………….…………

p 5

p 9

p 14

p 20

p 22

p 24

p 26

Annex: List of COFACE members ……………………………..……………………………..…………….………………….……...……. p 28

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Introduction

2011 was a special year for the family dimension at official EU institutional level. Indeed, the Hungarian Presidency (January-June) organised a whole week around the family and demography themes. This week took place from Monday 28th March to Friday 1st April. A large conference, an expert seminar, the high level group on demography with a presentation of the FamilyPlatform project’s results and an informal meeting of the Family Ministers, all were concentrated in these five days in Budapest or in Gödöllö. There is a lot to be said about the various contents of these meetings, but the important fact is that families and family policies were high on the political and presidential agenda on this occasion and probably for the very first time to this extent. COFACE of course took an active part in these events, advocating its pluralistic message, defending the idea of family policies intended to support all families in

dignity and freedom, and stressing the difference with population policies. Our President, Yves Roland-Gosselin was invited to talk in front of the Family Ministers on the Friday insisting among others on the need to take the family dimension of EU policies into consideration and encouraging the Ministers to support the idea of declaring 2014 European Year for the Well-being of Families. The Trio Declaration (Spain, Belgium, Hungary + Poland) issued at the end of the ministerial meeting indeed invites to launch this European Year ‘in recognition of the importance of families in our societies’. The idea was also taken up in the Conclusions of at least three EPSCO Council meetings inviting the Commission ‘to consult the Member States to propose a European Year for Families in 2014’. The second Presidency – Poland (July-December) – was less directly family-oriented but had an important equal opportunities and reconciliation between family and work content. COFACE had met

the Family Ministry in advance of the Polish Presidency.

* * * On a totally different note, I have the pleasure of presenting the new design of COFACE’s Activity Report. We hope that this user-friendly document will meet with your approval. It is meant to be more widely circulated than the previous versions that were mainly for internal use. This will also be the last of similar reports (28 in all!) that I shall present to the Administrative Council and General Assembly, as I shall be retiring as from May 1st, 2012. I wish to very warmly thank all members for their support and ongoing commitment over the long period of my Directorship, as well as all the Secretariat staff members. I am also very pleased to leave the Secretariat in excellent and competent hands: those of my successor Agnes Uhereczky. William Lay, Director

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1. About COFACE

MissioMissioMissioMissionnnn���� COFACE is a pluralistic organisation which aims at promoting family policy, solidarity between generations and the interests of children within the European Union. It advocates policies of non-discrimination and equal opportunities between persons and between family forms, and specifically supports policies aimed at increasing equality between women and men. Numerous decisions or orientations taken at European level directly affect family life. The impact of EU policies on parents and children is such that there is a need for the shaping of a European family policy. Such a policy can be defined as the family dimension to be incorporated into the economic, social and cultural policies and initiatives drawn up at European level, in two words: “Family mainstreaming”. The content of family policy at any level must be primarily directed towards addressing families’ essential needs in terms of financial resources, services and time. COFACE has a triple role: two vertical roles: bottom-up: representation and advocacy of the family dimension towards the EU institutions; top-down: information and awareness-raising of member organisations on EU issues. There is also an important horizontal role: facilitating the exchange of information and experiences between members, mutual learning and capacity building.

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StructureStructureStructureStructure����

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Administrative Council

• Yves Roland Gosselin, President, France • Helena Hiila, Vice President, Finland • Marién Delgado, Vice President, Spain • Eric De Wasch, Treasurer, Belgium

• Elisabeth Potzinger, Austria • Liliane Leroy, Belgium • Roumjana Modeva, Bulgaria • Paraskevas Samaras, Cyprus • Josef Jelinek, Czech Republic • Sven Iversen, Germany • Dimitris Stamoulis, Greece • Jean-Bernard Audureau, Spain • Mériadec Rivière, France • Jean Dupé, France • Maria Klinger, Hungary • Anna-Maria Dennison, Ireland • Gaetano Santonocito, Italy • Jean Giwer, Luxembourg • Maria Teresa Da Costa Macedo, Portugal • Peter Grabner, Slovenia • Stanislav Trnovec, Slovakia

Working Groups Chairs

• Annemie Drieskens, Belgium, WG1 • Chantal Bruno, France, WG2 • Nicolas Revenu, France, WG3 • Anne Alitolppa-Niitamo, Finland, WG4 • Marién Delgado, Spain, WG5

Secretariat

• William Lay, Director • Florian Charron, Office Manager • Michela Costa � Paola Panzeri, Policy Officer • Martin Schmalzried, Policy Officer • Hayet Zeghiche � Zoltan Vadkerti, Advocacy Officer • Linden Farrer, Projet Officer � Ana Pérez, Communication Officer

(6 months on Maternity leave) List of COFACE members

• See page 28

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2. 2011 priorities Family and Social policies

Maternity leave directive | Child poverty & well-being | EU2020 Strategy – special focus on Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion | Individualisation of Rights in Social Protection | Pensions | Migrant families & ethnic minorities and their children | EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: the family dimension | Domestic violence against women & children | Intergenerational solidarity | Families and the crisis

Inclusive policies for disabled and other dependent persons and their families (COFACE-Disability)

Family dimension of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | Right to Respite | Inclusive Education | Active ageing for Family Carers | De-institutionalisation of persons with disabilities, from a family perspective

Consumer, Services, Public Health and Sustainable development policies

Housing policies and energy efficiency | Product life-cycles, repair and re-use | Price transparency | Consumer empowerment | Green washing | Sustainable transport | EU2020 Strategy on sustainable development: family dimension I Social housing | Financial inclusion and over-indebtedness | Public transport | Quality of services I Patients’ rights | E-health and data protection | Health determinants

Education and Information and Communication Technologies policies

Early school leavers | Digital literacy | Education and EU2020 Strategy | Inclusive education | Promotion of Long-life learning services carried out by family organizations I Safer internet | Mobile technologies | E-inclusion and EU2020 Strategy | ICTs and older persons & empowerment | Video games: role in education & within family | Services and ICTs

Cross-cutting priorities 2011 European Year on Volunteering | 2012 European Year on Active ageing and solidarity between generations | Steps towards 2014 European Year for the Well-being of Families

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Main�PoliciesMain�PoliciesMain�PoliciesMain�Policies����

Child and family poverty http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Family-Social/Child-and-Family-poverty/ Policy statements adopted in 2011:

• The role of family-friendly policies for the prevention of child poverty and the realisation of child well-being • Comments on the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion

EU Family leave provisions http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Family-Social/Leave-provisions/ Policy statements adopted in 2011:

• Response to the consultation on possible EU measures in the area of Carers’ leave • Response to the consultation on possible new EU measures in the area of Paternity leave

Rights of Persons with Disabilities http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Disability-Dependency/Family-Dimension-UNCRPD/ Policy statements adopted in 2011:

• The Family Dimension of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • Comments on the EU Disability Strategy 2010-2020

Family carers http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Disability-Dependency/Family-Carers/ Policy statements adopted in 2011:

• Ageing Family Carers

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Inclusive education http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Disability-Dependency/Inclusive-education/ Policy statements adopted in 2011:

• Inclusive education for persons with disabilities

De-institutionalisation of people with disabilities http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Disability-Dependency/Deinstitutionalisation/

• Active involvement in the activities of the European expert Group on Transition from Institutional to Community-based care

Financial services http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Consumers-Health/Services/ Policy statements adopted in 2011:

• Response to the consultation on the taxation of the financial sector • Response to the consultation on the study on interest rate restrictions in the EU • Response to the consultation on the Single Market Act • Response to the consultation on the modernisation of EU public procurement policy • Response to the Green Paper on the future of VAT

Collective redress http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Consumers-Health/Collective-redress/ Policy statements adopted in 2011:

• Response to the consultation on the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution • Response to the consultation "Towards a Coherent European Approach to Collective Redress"

Roma families http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Education-ICT/Roma-Families/ Policy statements adopted in 2011:

• Roma Families and the intergenerational transmission of poverty and social exclusion

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CrossCrossCrossCross----cutting�prioritiescutting�prioritiescutting�prioritiescutting�priorities����

2011 European Year on Volunteering

Family organisations would not be able to function without volunteers. You find them at all levels of the organisations: from the grassroots to the leadership. A great number of organisations are highly decentralised working with local sections in the community, where the value of volunteering is absolutely essential. Many events, exhibitions, demonstrations and other activities took place throughout Europe during this year. COFACE joined the EY2011 Alliance, an active network of associations working together on the promotion, lobbying, organisation and implementation of the Year.

2012 European Year on Active ageing and solidarity between generations

COFACE and other social NGOs involved in preparation for the Year have consistently argued that co-operation between different age groups is essential for achieving a society where people of all ages have a role to play in line with their needs and capacities, and can benefit from their communities’ economic and social progress on an equal basis. COFACE joined the EY2012 Coalition. This coalition provided information about the reasons for holding such a year, what active ageing and intergenerational solidarity actually mean, what the objectives of the year will be, and how organisations and other groups can get involved.

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Steps towards 2014 European Year for the Well-being of Families COFACE initiated the idea of an EYF2014 at the European Family Conference held in Brussels with the official support of the Belgian Presidency of the EU in October 2010. Both the Belgian and Hungarian Presidencies gave their support to the initiative, which was then officially taken up by the Trio Presidency (Spain, Belgium and Hungary) together with Poland in their Declaration of 1st April 2011, reaffirming among others the wish for “launching a European Year of Families in recognition of the importance of families in our societies”. Since then, other Member States have also shown positive signs of support. 2014 coincides with the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family and represents an important milestone in the international calendar that COFACE would like to highlight at European Union level, by calling upon the EU27 leaders to make 2014 the European Year for the Well-being of Families. COFACE strongly believes that such an initiative would make for an excellent opportunity to step-up a comprehensive approach to the family dimension of policies when shaping tomorrow’s European Union. The importance of families has to be acknowledged.

COFACE wishes to make 2014 the European Year for the Well-being of Families because:

• Families are the building blocks for a well-functioning society; • Reconciliation policies allowing women and men to balance their work

and family lives are key to meet families’ needs and gender equality; • Policies supporting families may create an enabling environment for

address demographic challenges in Europe; • Drawing attention to the impact of the economic and financial crisis on

families is crucial; • Tackling poverty and social exclusion is fundamental to prevent families

from becoming marginalised; • Both participation and socialisation of the child start in the family; • Families are the primary unit for consumer education, particularly when

it comes to sustainable development or responsible consumption; • Intergenerational relationships have particular significance in the lives

of families; • Families are dynamic units where most critical transitions from one life-

phase to another take place.

� Read more about this initiative on our website: http://coface-eu.org/en/Press-and-medias/European-Year-2014/

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3. Lobbying COFACE is officially represented in various consultative bodies of the European Union. It has regular contacts with the European authorities, in particular the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Economic and Social Committee.

European�CommissionEuropean�CommissionEuropean�CommissionEuropean�Commission����

The European Alliance for Families/High Level Expert Group on Demographic Issues The aim of the Alliance is to create impulses for more family-friendly policies through exchanges of ideas and experience in the various Member States and to foster cooperation and fruitful learning from each other in the European Union. COFACE is

systematically invited to actively participate in the events organised under the Alliance banner such as: Seminars and workshops and the biennial European Demography Forum. Stakeholder Seminar "The Future of Families", 12 October: The seminar aimed to discuss how European societies are coping with the growing diversity of family models and the generally later age of

family formation. COFACE was invited to speak in the closing policy debate, where it looked at various robust measures that can help people start up families and support all kinds of family. COFACE stressed families’ needs for adequate resources, quality services and appropriate time arrangements. Not to mention, of course, the need for gender equality in general and in the home in particular. 1st Annual Convention of the European Platform Against Poverty The Convention aimed to give visibility and political weight to the European Platform Against Poverty and to build support across various policies and institutions, different levels of government and civil society actors. COFACE was one of the co-organisers of the workshop “Breaking the cycle of poverty through integrated family and child centered policies”. At this workshop COFACE presented a good practice implemented by one of its members (APF, France) which promotes access to services for children and young people with disabilities. There was insistence on the importance of early intervention, of an integrated child/family approach, of active participation and of the combination of general policies with more specific ones, for particularly vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, Roma, migrants and people experiencing or at risk of poverty.

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COFACE also actively participated in the meetings of the:

• European High Level Group on Disability • Expert Group on Transition from Institutional to Community-

based care • ICT principles coalition • Early School Leaving thematic Working Group • European Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and

Health • European Consumer Consultative Group, and • to the following Agricultural Advisory Groups: Common

Agricultural Policy, Fruit and Vegetables, Forestry and Cork, Quality of Agricultural Production, Women in Rural Areas, Agriculture and Environment and Rural Development.

European�ParliamentEuropean�ParliamentEuropean�ParliamentEuropean�Parliament���� Maternity Leave Directive The maternity leave directive has been voted by the European Parliament but has now been blocked in the Council for several months. This was one of the most tangible initiatives taken by the EU which could be affecting millions of women across Europe.

Family Intergroup This Intergroup should be a major player for the family dimension of EU policies. Unfortunately, it met only once in 2011. There is a need for a renewed dynamism and openness of the Group. Public Services Intergroup COFACE participated in the meetings of the Public Services Intergroup chaired by Françoise Castex (S&D, France). On 12 January, Commissioner Barnier presented the Single Market Act, a key piece of legislation especially for the future of Services of General Interest. The Commissioner insisted on the need to reconcile citizens with the single market and the financial market, both of which should be at the service of citizens and the economy. Disability Intergroup COFACE participated in the meetings of the Disability Intergroup chaired by Ádám Kósa (EPP, Hungary). On 13 January, Commissioner Viviane Reding presented the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020. The ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) by the European Union on 23 December 2010 was also welcomed at the meeting.

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The UNCRPD represents a milestone for the promotion of human rights and equal treatment of people with disabilities in Europe and worldwide and it explicitly recognises the critical role played by families in including persons with disabilities in society. Moreover, for the very first time in history the EU has become a party to an international human rights treaty. COFACE’s Secretariat followed very closely this development and drafted a policy statement on The Family Dimension of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (see page 10).

Council�of�MinistersCouncil�of�MinistersCouncil�of�MinistersCouncil�of�Ministers����

The Hungarian Presidency of the EU saw the issue of family-friendly policies shifting up a gear: an official European Union week concentrating on the family dimension of policies, titled Europe for Families, Families for Europe.

Never in the past has such an initiative been taken, and COFACE was involved five out of the seven days. It started off with a day and a half conference on Demographic Change – The Impact of Work and Family Reconciliation on Demographic Dynamics, where COFACE had the opportunity to present its views on family and demographic issues. Starting with a crucial restatement of the differences between family policies and population/pro-natalist policies, COFACE insisted on the importance of choice, dignity, gender equality, children’s rights and well-being, before presenting a more general outline of what family policies should consist of in Europe. The following two days, the co-ordinators of the FamilyPlatform project presented their Research Agenda on Families and Family Policy, first to the Commission’s Expert Group on Demography and then to an open meeting of experts and NGOs. Last but not least, COFACE’s President took part in and addressed the Informal Meeting of Family Ministers held on 1 April. The week was rounded off by a series of festive events for families held in Budapest over the weekend.

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While very much aware that family policies are of national competence, this initiative shows that the European Union has an important role to play in encouraging, co-ordinating and sharing information and good practice between Member States. But it has done more than that. On the occasion of the Ministerial meeting, the Trio Presidency (Spain, Belgium and Hungary) - plus the next holder of the Presidency, Poland - issued a Declaration on the impacts of reconciliation of work and family on demographic dynamics. COFACE warmly welcomed the commitment by the Trio Presidency, together with Poland, to take into account the family perspective when designing programmes and legislation at an EU level. The Declaration addressed the impact of work and family life on demography. The document called for a broad framework of family-friendly policies to be implemented in the workplace, alongside flexible work and leave arrangements. The necessity of adequately supporting parents with quality services was acknowledged, in order to enable them to better reconcile their private and working lives, and call for increasing efforts to improve cooperation and exchange good practices among EU Member States. Even more significantly, they commit to taking into account the family perspective when designing programmes and legislation at EU level.

COFACE welcomed the initiative and its contents, in particular the ideas of mainstreaming the family dimension of policies and of 2014 being the European Year for the Wellbeing of Families. The Hungarian Presidency has given impetus and raised the issue of families (and demography) to a new level. But what we really need now are concrete policy measures that genuinely support all families. In this respect at least, deeds speak louder than words.

The Polish Presidency of the EU put both the demographic challenge and consumer protection high on its work programme list of priorities. On demographic challenges, the Presidency made the link between intergenerational solidarity and work-life balance, with a focus on better access to child care and elder care services. Poland joined with the Trio of previous Member State presidencies to sign the Declaration on the impacts of reconciliation of work and family life on demographic dynamics (see above).

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Expert Conference on mechanisms for reconciling work and family life The meeting presented the results of a survey by the European Institute for Gender Equality concerning the situation of women and men in the labour market with regard to reconciliation of work and family life. COFACE was invited to present the family perspective and the men's role in reconciliation policies. The urgent need for priorities in reconciliation policies as they are key to tackle poverty and social exclusion was stressed. It was also recommended that reconciliation of family and professional life shall be mainstreamed in all relevant policies at EU and national level. EU Council's recommendations on Early School Leaving The European Council of Ministers reached an agreement on a recommendation on reducing the early school leaving rate. COFACE welcomed the recommendations, many of which are in line with COFACE's Position on Early School Leavers and the role of parents. The Council stressed the need to promote social policies and support services, employment, youth, integration and family policies. The importance of co-operation between parents and the schools as well as with other external actors such as sports and culture associations has also been well covered.

EPSCO Conclusions on the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies COFACE warmly welcomed the adoption on 19 May of the EPSCO Council Conclusions on an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020. This document was a big step forward for the EU’s policy on Roma because it provided a framework for national integration strategies. The conclusions properly pointed out that protection of fundamental rights and combating discrimination and segregation is essential for improving the situation of Roma in Europe. Directive on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare The Directive on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 28 February. The Member States have until 25 October 2013 to transpose the Directive and put in place the necessary laws, regulations and administrative procedures. With this new Directive, patients who are treated in another Member State will be entitled to equal treatment as patients of the Member State in question.

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European�Economic�and�Social�CommitteeEuropean�Economic�and�Social�CommitteeEuropean�Economic�and�Social�CommitteeEuropean�Economic�and�Social�Committee���� The EESC has always been an important partner institution for COFACE. Currently two COFACE member organisations are in the Committee: with Carlos Trias Pinto for ASGECO (Spain) and Joseph Guimet for UNAF (France). Further co-operation with President Staffan Nilsson will continue to take place in the future. COFACE is a member of the Civil Society Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and networks, where it represents “Family Life” interests. COFACE was represented at nearly every meeting in 2011. The EESC published an Opinion on “The role of family policy in relation to demographic change with a view to sharing best practices among Member States”. COFACE welcomed this document, for which Director William Lay acted as expert for Group III.

European�NetworksEuropean�NetworksEuropean�NetworksEuropean�Networks���� COFACE is a founding member of: The Social Platform of European NGOs � www.socialplatform.org The European Disability Forum � www.edf-feph.org The European Brain Injury Society � www.ebissociety.org It collaborates regularly with other important stakeholders at EU level such as the social partners and other European NGOs. In 2011, COFACE joined the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation (ALTER-EU) � www.alter-eu.org

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4. Communication

New�visual�identityNew�visual�identityNew�visual�identityNew�visual�identity���� COFACE launched its new website on December 2011.

� www.coface-eu.org

And its new logo:

Replacing this one:

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PublicationsPublicationsPublicationsPublications���� Factsheets

On Active ageing for family carers

On the role of family-friendly policies for the prevention of child poverty and the realisation of child well-being

On reconciling family life, private life and professional life to prevent poverty and social exclusion

On preventing over-indebtedness, personal finance education and action against banking and financial exclusion

On Early School Leavers and the role of parents

� http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Press-Media/Factsheets/ News

e-Newsletter

(external bulletin)

COFACE-Contact

(internal bulletin)

Press releases

Social media

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5. European projects

DaphneDaphneDaphneDaphne����European project

under the Daphne programme

COFACE coordinated a 24-month project (2009-2011) on domestic violence under the Daphne programme. The aim of the project “Helping victims of domestic violence to integrate into or stay in employment” was to raise awareness among the work and training communities about people in or accessing work who are victims of domestic violence. The project included a training course to enable a target group of trade union delegates and vocational or employability training providers to help these people into or to stay in employment. More: http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Projects/Daphne-Project/

FlabelFlabelFlabelFlabel����European project

under the 7th framework programme

COFACE was a partner of a 36-month project (2008-2011) on nutritional labelling under the Seventh framework programme. The project was coordinated by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC). The aim of the project “Food Labelling to Advance Better Education for Life” was to conduct Europe-wide research on how nutrition labelling is done and to deliver project outcomes in the form of clearer, more transparent and understandable nutrition labelling. The conclusion after three years of work was that ‘despite a fairly good understanding and the existence of different types of nutritional information, consumers pay virtually no attention to them. They therefore have little effect on their food choices'. Nutrition labelling must be set in a broader context of information and education in a healthy and balanced diet. More: www.flabel.org

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FamilyPlatformFamilyPlatformFamilyPlatformFamilyPlatform����European project

under the 7th framework programme

COFACE was a partner of the 18-month project under the Seventh framework programme. It assured the dissemination (e.g. website creation and update) and information on the project while also following the research findings. The coordinator of the project was the Technische Universität in Dortmund. The aim of the FamilyPlatform was to encourage dialogue between stakeholders about family life providing input into the EU’s Socio-Economic and Humanities Research Agenda on Family Research and Family Policies. In a first stage, the project charted and reviewed the major trends of comparative family research in the EU. In a second stage, there was a review of existing research on the family. In a third stage, there was the understanding of existing issues affecting families and predicting future conditions and challenges facing them. The last stage was to bring the results and findings of the previous stages together in order to propose key scientific research questions about families to be tackled with future EU research funding. More: www.familyplatform.eu

CarersCarersCarersCarers����European project

under the Grundtvig programme

COFACE is an associate partner of the 24 month project on helping family carers under the European Lifelong Learning Programme Grundtvig. The partnership is co-ordinated by member organisation UNAPEI, a French umbrella organisation defending the rights and interests of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families. Since August 2010, twelve COFACE member organisations have been participants in this European project on “Self-assessment of their needs by family carers: The pathway to support”. COFACE is responsible for the dissemination of project results at the EU level. The working group brings together associations from nine countries, with various different fields of interest, with the intention of involving family carers in the project through a participatory approach. More: http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Projects/Carers-Project/

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6. Main events February 17-18: Executive Bureau and Administrative Council, Larnaca 19: Conference on ‘The Demographic Issue: Implications & Policies’, Larnaca March 01: Working Group Education and Information and Communication technologies’ policies, Brussels 10: Working Group Inclusive policies for disabled and other dependent persons and their families (COFACE-Disability), Brussels 16-17: Working Group Consumer Protection, Services, Public Health and Sustainable development policies, Budapest 22: FamilyPlatform Dissemination Presentation at the European Parliament, Brussels 28-29: Hungarian Presidency Conference on Demographic Change, Budapest 29: Demographic Experts Meeting – Population Europe, Budapest 30: Demographic Experts Group – FamilyPlatform presentation, Budapest 31: Repro & FamilyPlatform presentation at the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Budapest April 01: Informal Ministerial Meeting on Families & Demography, Budapest 7-8 : Working Group Family and Social policies, Brussels 19-21: Hungarian Presidency conference “New Challenges in the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020”, Budapest 27: Study Group on Families and demography at the EESC, Brussels May 16: Executive Bureau and Administrative Council, Brussels 17: General Assembly, Brussels

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June 20: Executive Bureau, Brussels September 8: COFACE-AGF Seminar on cutting VAT on goods and services for babies and children, Berlin 9: Working Group Consumer Protection, Services, Public Health and Sustainable development policies, Berlin October 10-11: Executive Bureau and Administrative Council, Brussels 12: Seminar ‘Future of Families’. European Alliance for families. Brussels 17-18: 1st Annual Convention of the European Platform Against Poverty. Cracow 20-21: Expert Conference on mechanisms for reconciling work and family life. Cracow 26: Working Group Inclusive policies for disabled and other dependent persons and their families, Paris November 22: Final conference of the Daphne project, Brussels 30-1: EY2011 Final conference. Warsaw December 1 : COFACE Study Day on Individualisation of Social Rights, Brussels 2 : Working Group Family and Social policies, Brussels 14 : COFACE Study Day on Emotional and Sexual Education, Brussels 15: Working Group Education and Information and Communication technologies’ policies, Brussels 16: COFACE’s Bureau, enlarged to Working Group Chairs, Brussels 16: Working group meeting on Early School Leavers, European Commission, Brussels

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7. Finances

Expenditure

Income

Salaries and charges: 51% Travel: 21% Translation, Publication, Interpretation: 18% Administration: 4% Rent office: 5% Others (taxes, depreciation): 1%

EU Progress programme: 72% Members’ subscription fees: 10% Daphne project: 8% FamilyPlatform project: 4% Members’ contribution: 2% Flabel and CAFé projects: 1% Other income: 3%

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Annex

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List�of�COFACE�members�in�2011List�of�COFACE�members�in�2011List�of�COFACE�members�in�2011List�of�COFACE�members�in�2011���� 52 member organisations across 21 Member States of the European Union. AUSTRIA

KATHOLISCHER FAMILIENVERBAND ÖSTERREICHS (KFÖ) Catholic family association of Austria www.familie.at

BELGIUM

ASSOCIATION DE PARENTS ET PROFESSIONNELS AUTOUR DE LA PERSONNE POLYHANDICAPÉE (AP³) Association of parents and professionals supporting people with multiple disabilities www.ap3.be

BELGIUM

FEMMES PRÉVOYANTES SOCIALISTES (FPS) Socialist Women’s welfare association www.femmesprevoyantes.be

BELGIUM

FONDS DU LOGEMENT WALLON (FLW) Walloon Housing Fund www.flw.be

BELGIUM

LIGUE DES FAMILLES (LDF) League of Families www.liguedesfamilles.be

BELGIUM

GEZINSBOND Flemish League of Families www.gezinsbond.be

BELGIUM

CENTRE D'ACTION LAÏQUE (CAL) Center for Secular Action www.laicite.be

BELGIUM

ASSOCIATION AIDANTS PROCHES Association of Family Carers www.aidants-proches.be

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BULGARIA

CENTER OF WOMEN'S STUDIES AND POLICIES www.cwsp.bg

BULGARIA

NATIONAL MOVEMENT WOMEN AND MOTHERS AGAINST VIOLENCE www.bebe.bg

CYPRUS

PANCYPRIAN ORGANISATION POLYTEKNON (POP) www.pop.org.cy

CZECH REPUBLIC

SDRUZENI OCHRANA NENAROZENEHO ZIVOTA (SONZ) Assistance and counselling for Women and Girls www.poradnaprozeny.eu

FINLAND

VÄESTÖLIITTO RY The Family Federation of Finland www.vaestoliitto.fi

FRANCE

AIDE À DOMICILE EN MILIEU RURAL (ADMR) Rural Assistance at Home www.admr.org

FRANCE

ASSOCIATIONS DE PARENTS D'ELEVES DE L'ENSEIGNEMENT LIBRE (APEL) Independent Education Parents’ Group www.apel.asso.fr

FRANCE

ASSOCIATION DES PARALYSÉS DE FRANCE (APF) Paralysis association of France www.apf.asso.fr

FRANCE

ASSOCIATION POUR LE SPINA BIFIDA ET HANDICAPS ASSOCIÉS (ASBH) Spina Bifida and associated disabilities association www.spina-bifida.org

FRANCE

CONFÉDÉRATION NATIONALE DES ASSOCIATIONS FAMILIALES CATHOLIQUES (CNAFC) National confederation of catholic family associations www.afc-france.org

FRANCE

CONFÉDÉRATION SYNDICALE DES FAMILLES Trade Union confederation of families www.la-csf.org

FRANCE

FAMILLES RURALES Rural families www.famillesrurales.org

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FRANCE

FAMILLES DE FRANCE Families of France www.familles-de-france.org

FRANCE

UNION NATIONALE DES ASSOCIATIONS FAMILIALES (UNAF) National Union of Family associations www.unaf.fr

FRANCE

UNION NATIONALE DES ASSOCIATIONS DE FAMILLES DE TRAUMATISÉS CRANIENS (UNAFTC) National Union of associations of families of traumatic brain injury sufferers www.traumacranien.org

FRANCE

UNION NATIONALE DES ASSOCIATIONS DE PARENTS, DE PERSONNES HANDICAPEES MENTALES ET DE LEURS AMIS (UNAPEI) National Union of associations of parents, people with learning disabilities and their friends www.unapei.org

FRANCE

UNION NATIONALE DES ASSOCIATIONS DE PARRAINAGE DE PROXIMITE (UNAPP) National Union of local child mentoring associations www.unapp.net

GERMANY

ARBEITSGEMEINSCHAFT DER DEUTSCHEN FAMILIENORGANISATIONEN(AGF) E.V. Association of German Family Organisations www.ag-familie.de

GREECE

CONFEDERATION OF LARGE FAMILIES’ ASSOCIATIONS OF GREECE (ASPE) www.aspe.gr

GREECE

KENDRO MERIMNAS OIKOYENIAS KAI PEDIOU (KMOP) Family and Childcare Centre www.kmop.gr

GREECE

Panhellenic Housewives Union and Family (PHUF)

HUNGARY

PRO FAMILIA HUNGARIAN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY www.novedelem.hu

IRELAND

IRISH COUNTRYWOMEN'S ASSOCIATION (ICA) www.ica.ie

ITALY

ASSOCIAZIONE ITALIANA GENITORI (AGE) Italian association of parents www.age.it

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ITALY

MOVIMENTO ITALIANO GENITORI (MOIGE) Italian movement of parents www.genitori.it

ITALY

ASSOCIAZIONE ITALIANA PER L'ASSISTENZA AGLI SPASTICI (AIAS) www.aiasnazionale.it

ITALY

Co.Fa.AS "Clelia" – Coordinamento Familiari Assistenti "Clelia" www.cofaasclelia.it

LATVIA

LATVIJAS DAUDZBERNU GIMENU BIEDRIBU APVIENIBA Union of Latvian Large Family Organisations (ULLFA)

LITHUANIA

SOS VAIKų KAIMų SOS Children’s villages www.sos-vaikukaimai.lt

LUXEMBOURG

ASSOCIATION DES PARENTS D'ENFANTS MENTALEMENT HANDICAPÉS (APEMH) www.apemh.lu

POLAND

FUNDACJI DOMY SAMOTNYCH MATEK Z DZIECMI Foundation Houses of Lonely Mothers with Children

PORTUGAL

ASSOCIAçAO NACIONAL DE FAMILIAS PARA A INTEGRAçAO DA PESSOA DEFICIENTE (AFID) www.afid.org.pt

PORTUGAL

CONFEDERAçAO NACIONAL DAS ASSOCIAçOES DE FAMILIA (CNAF) www.cnaf-familia.org

PORTUGAL

LIGA PORTUGUESA DOS DEFICIENTES MOTORES (LPDM -CRS) www.lpdm-crs.org.pt

ROMANIA

FUNDATIA FAMILIA SI OCROTIREA COPILULUI (FFOC) Family and Childcare Foundation www.fundatiafoc.r8.org

SLOVAKIA

CLUB OF LARGE FAMILIES www.kmr.sk

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SLOVENIA

DRUZINSKA POBUDA Family Initiative http://blog.druzinskapobuda.si/

SPAIN

CONFEDERACIÓN ESPAÑOLA DE ORGANIZACIONES DE AMAS DE CASA, CONSUMIDORES Y USUARIOS (CEACCU) www.ceaccu.org

SPAIN

ASOCIACIÓN GENERAL DE CONSUMIDORES DE ESPAÑA (ASGECO) www.asgeco.org

SPAIN

CONFEDERACIÓN ESPAÑOLA DE FAMILIARES DE ENFERMOS DE ALZHEIMER Y OTRAS DEMENCIAS (CEAFA) www.ceafa.es

SPAIN

SALUD Y FAMILIA www.saludyfamilia.es

SPAIN

UNIÓN CIVICA NACIONAL DE AMAS DE HOGAR DE ESPAÑA (UNAE) www.federacionunae.com

SPAIN

UNIÓN DE CENTROS DE ACCIÓN RURAL (UNCEAR) www.mujeresrurales.com

SPAIN

UNION DE ASOCIACIONES FAMILIARES (UNAF) www.unaf.org

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Five good�reasons to become a coface member Member organisations of COFACE:

1� can participate in five Working Groups, cooperate and share best practices with general and single-issue national family

organisations all over Europe. They can play an active role in European level family policy shaping and be�represented at

European Union level

2� can participate in study days, seminars and European level conferences organised by COFACE or the EU Institutions and meet

experts, researchers or scientists. Accommodation and travel costs are largely reimbursed, which helps members to participate in meetings

3� are assisted in participating in European�projects and setting up partnerships at EU level

4� receive the latest information on social and family policy developments at European level via the internal�bulletin

'COFACE-Contact' and the external Newsletter�

5� have access to COFACE’s website Members'�section and receive targeted information. The members also receive

documents published by COFACE (studies, policy positions, factsheets, press releases, responses to European consultations,...)

in several languages

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Please do get in touch! The staff at the COFACE Secretariat are available:

- for general enquiries about family policies in the EU - for enquiries about how to join COFACE and become Member - for cooperation on events and projects.

For more information, please call us, skype us, email-us or go to our website Tel: +32 2 511 41 79 Skype: coface-aisbl Email: secretariat@coface-eu.org Website: www.coface-eu.org

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www.coface-eu.org�