Questions/Answers

The project objectives aim to improve living conditions of the poor, to minimize dependence on social services and involving all community members in combating social exclusion, saving existing resources and protecting the environment. Through the message addressed to the entire community, the project aims to change the mentality and empower all social actors. It’s a tool for combating poverty and promoting ecological principle of reintroducing products into consumer circuit. The store receives donations from individuals or businesses and redistributes them to people and families affected by poverty. The project simplifies the donation procedure of certain goods, but conditions the access of those with modest incomes to these products through community work activities. Product evaluation system and service delivery to donors is based on points, so money is excluded. The work done by the beneficiaries is quantified in points through which products from the store can be purchased. Likewise, donors receive a number of points in return for their products to access certain services offered by the institution, such as empowerment, relaxation and leisure. By judiciously reallocating resources and rescuing goods, the project also has an important environmental component, encouraging the reduction of waste and changing consumer habits.

Through its objectives, the project falls under the category of "Delivering inclusive and equitable services to leave no one behind", focusing on reducing poverty and discrepancies between 6th District citizens on economic and social level. Also, the objectives are compatible with the eligibility criterion, as it introduces the idea, practice and structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of the 6th District of Bucharest, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs

Given the project's overall objective of providing a source of subsistence and access to basic commodities needed for daily living for poor people and families, many with children, the project enrolls to the main objectives of the Agenda, namely “End poverty in all its forms everywhere”, but also in the second: “Zero Hunger - Avoid throwing away food”. Also, through the environmental protection component, both through the collection and redistribution of products to be discarded, and through the education component on environmental protection and changing consumption mentality, the project enrolls with objective 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Fact: the existence of social categories at the limit of subsistence, which acute need products of strict necessity, and large quantities of products that are discarded and affect the environment, because there is no system for their collection and redistribution. Food, hygiene products, electronics and home appliances, clothing, toys, children's items, school supplies, books, sporting goods, etc. are accepted in the store. The project also stimulates and educates citizens to combat food waste and other products such as household appliances and doing so a big plus on environmental protection. Beneficiaries are people or families with many children and modest incomes, persons or families with children with disabilities, as well as other social cases involving minors (delinquency, school dropout etc.), adults without income or modest income, adults with disabilities, elders, etc. • More than 1.310 businesses and individuals have donated; • A total of 350 people chose to work in return for the aid received; • 4 tons of cereal-based food, 5200 canned meats and vegetables, 3000 liters of oil, 3 tons of sugar; • The beneficiaries provided 5550 hours of community work.

It’s the first project of this kind implemented in Romania and internationally. The innovative elements consist primarily in addressing in a single project the components of social assistance and environmental protection, emphasis on stimulating the involvement of all individuals and legal entities in supporting disadvantaged social categories, inducing accountability among social assisted people, meaning that any support is conditioned upon performing public utility activities. Also, the system of evaluating products and labor provided, by giving points, that exclude the use of money is another innovative element. An innovation is also the rewarding of donors with services from the institution's portfolio.

At national level, this project is an innovative one, being a first in the field of social assistance and environmental protection. At international level, the assessments received also emphasized the innovative nature of the project. The project is the initiative of the institution, with the involvement of social professionals working at 6th District level.

Once known, the project received national and international appreciation, many institutions and individuals working in the social field are interested in its implementation. Due to the large number of individuals, companies and institutions that participated in the project, both donors and beneficiaries, it was decided at 6th District level to expand this project by setting up a new SocialXChange store with a higher reception and storage of products (551 sqm). Today, the project operates in two locations across the 6th District of Bucharest. Several cities and community administrations have approached us to provide them with know-how about implementing this program.

The project has been implemented with funding from the 6th District Local Council. The location as well as the other fixed or mobile assets are the property of the institution. It should be mentioned that, by its nature, the project involves the contribution of the individuals and legal persons wishing to be involved in the good work of the community. In the arrangement and endowment of the interiors we received support from educational institutions, companies, associations, non-governmental organizations, individuals.

The sustainability of the project is ensured by the commitment of local authorities to further support the SocialXChange Charity Shop. The success achieved at the community level has led to this decision. It should not be forgotten that the money invested in this program can be considered "recovered" both by reducing social aid spending and by benefiting the community due to the work done by the beneficiaries. Also from an economic and environmental point of view, the store proves to be useful by re-introducing many products into the consumer circuit. The staff is within the 6th District General Direction of Social Care and Child Protection staff and consists of 12 persons. The human resources category also includes the direct beneficiaries who provide in exchange for the items, and implicitly the products, various activities directly contributing to the good functioning of the store. The two locations have a total surface of 851 sqm. Most of the space is occupied by the actual store where the products are exposed. Besides these, there are also offices, warehouses, spaces where community work is done. The store features office furniture, computers, printer, internet connection, washing machines and dryers, ironing stands.

Yes

1. The European Quality Conference "Strengthening the capacity of the public administration for the present and future challenges. Public Administration ", Luxembourg, 2015 2. The European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) Competition "The Public Sector as a Partner for a Better Society", Maastricht, 2015 3. The XIth Edition of the Gala of Excellence Awards in public administration, Poiana Braşov, Romania, 2015 4. The International Conference "Innovation and Quality in the Public Sector", organized by the National Agency of Civil Servants (ANFP), Sibiu, Romania, 2015 5. The 8th Edition of the Clean Environment Awards Gala organized by ECOTIC, Bucharest, 2016.

1. Strengthening the capacity of the public administration 2. Public sector development 3. Development of social services 4. Methods and practices to stimulate citizen participation in public sector 5. Promoting the principles of environmental protection

1. Recognition as a Good Practice Model 2. Good Practice Certificate 3. Excellence Award for the most important projects implemented 4. 2nd Prize at the III Pylon 5. The Grand Prize

The program benefited from support both in the implementation phase and thereafter, when the emphasis was on donations (Goodyear Dunlop Tires Romania – food and Mars Incorporated – sweets). Objectives and principle of operation are aimed at promoting engagement and partnerships. It had received support in decorating and interior design, furnishing (we have received an important furniture donation from Afi Palace Cotroceni – a big mall from Bucharest) and equipment, attracting beneficiaries and donors. More, since we received the media attention we received 2 requests for support in multiplying this project at the level of other communities in Romania. For the future, we believe that there will be more people interested in this project, we hope the interest equals donors and beneficiaries. By doing so, we have proof that the project has achieved its main goal.

Donors have appreciated the existence of a vehicle to pick-up large objects from their home. Donors are eager to donate points to beneficiaries. Long-term partnerships with private firms are required. The idea of receiving services in exchange for donated products has stimulated donations. Many donors, especially the elderly, use the store as a place to socialize. Increasing the number of social interactions of store beneficiaries is a positive side effect. Beneficiaries appreciate the fact that, by receiving products in return of work rather than money, they are no longer able to satisfy certain vices such as smoking or alcohol.