Sanoma tavoittaa

ACTION PLAN FOR 2023

INTRODUCTION – The purpose of the association's activities and vision for the future

 

The goal of Elämä ja Valo ry's activities is the comprehensive well-being of the Roma population. The key challenges and opportunities of the operating environment of 2022 will remain largely the same, which have already been identified thanks to years of long-term work. The Life and Light association organizes participatory activities for the Roma population, spiritual events, offers information about the Roma culture and promotes the sense of community of the Roma population together with partners. The organization also informs about the situations of Roma living abroad, especially in Eastern Europe, and, if possible, organizes humanitarian aid for those in crisis situations. Thanks to the targeted operating grant financed by STEA, our basic work has been strengthened even more, involving Roma in different areas of life.

 

"The basic purpose of the association's activities is to promote the growth of the Roma's spiritual well-being, survival in the challenges of everyday life, and to develop the sense of community of the Roma population, based on Christian values. The spiritual and social growth of the Roma is developed e.g. through spiritual teaching and by involving the Roma population, e.g. to the activities of the churches. The purpose is also other social inclusion of the Roma population, as well as promoting the mental and physical well-being of Roma in crisis situations and improving their quality of life through humanitarian aid. The association's activities include aid targets at home and abroad." (Elämä ja Valo ry rules 2§).

 

The year 2023 is our association's 59th year of operation.

 

DOMESTIC WORK

 

• ACTUAL ACTION

 

Organization member development

During the operating year, we will develop ways to increase the number of actual members and supporter members. The goal is that the number of members during the year 2023 is a total of 450 people (in 2020 approx. 400 people). Membership includes an annual edition of EV magazine. The opportunity to become a member will be announced in the EV magazine, on the organization's website, at events, on social media and at seminars.

 

Supporter ring

The fan ring has been in operation for about a year. About 7-8 people have supported our operations financially every month with a monthly contribution of €10-20. The aim is to increase the number of members of the support ring to ten (10) active people during 2023. The possibility will be announced in the EV magazine, on the website, on social media and in newsletters.

 

Fundraising

In recent years, online sales have decreased. During the coming operating year, we will think about how we could develop the online store and increase its sales. In the events organized during the year, newspaper revenues are collected to support the activities of Elämä ja Valo ry, and donations are received from organizations and individuals. The money collection permit is in accordance with the new money collection law, i.e. it is valid until further notice.

 

• OTHER ACTIVITY

 

EV events and family work

weeks In the operating year, the association organizes twenty (20) event days in different parts of Finland. In addition to these, we organize ten (10) family work weeks (Thursday-Sunday) in different parts of Finland, where Roma are reached mainly through home visits.

 

During the events, the needs of the local Roma are mapped in cooperation with local actors, and based on these, family work is implemented in the longer term. The goal is that the Roma in the community would become active in the regular activities of the partners and thus their threat of marginalization would decrease.

 

Events are one of the most visible activities of our association. Events are developed e.g. with feedback forms. The effectiveness of operations is monitored and evaluated based on reporting. In the municipalities where family work events are organized, the contact person is regularly contacted after the event, and this way we get information about the effectiveness of the activities.

 

Children and youth work

We activate the Roma members of the parishes to participate in e.g. for the children's and youth work tasks of the parishes and to work in the relevant parish committees or planning groups. To the best of our ability, we support the integration of Roma youth into the existing activities of our partners. We see the development of youth work as one of the important focus areas for the coming year, which has gotten off to a good start thanks to the "youth team" established in 2020. We are developing the position of our organization's child work coordinator and youth work coordinator. We create a job description for him and train him. The child work coordinator is Angelica Lindberg, the youth work is coordinated by the youth work team.

 

Seminars and camps

In the operating year, two (2) training and recreation events are organized for volunteers and two (2) hearings (development days) for the association's active staff and others interested in the work. In addition to this, two (2) "recruitment camps" will be organized, where we will tell about the activities and challenges of our association. The purpose of these camps is to find new volunteers for our activities. In addition to these, three (3) themed camps for different target groups are organized in cooperation with different operators. The purpose of the topics of the camps is to provide support and advice for the everyday challenges of work and family.

 

Scholarship fund

During the operating year, we support Romani students in Bible school studies. We inform about the scholarship fund in EV magazine and on our website. We collect funds for the fund through address sales, organizing meals and collecting letters at events to increase the fund. Funds from the scholarship fund are awarded to students who have completed the Bible school course through the organizing institution.

 

Diakonia work

During the year of operation, new opportunities will be sought to support different forms of operation in Finland and in other countries. We are developing opportunities to support e.g. Prison work to be done in Finland. In development work, we cooperate with ViaDia ry, Hyvä Sanoma ry and parishes. In our diaconate work, we also support low-income Roma families with funeral expenses.

 

• INFORMATION

The media working group will organize the following tasks during the coming operating year:

 

• making the association's communication plan
• making an association information package for future operators/employees
• development and maintenance of the association's homepage, Facebook site and YouTube channel
• Planning information material to start - a guide for new members
• Collecting email addresses of association members and creating a database
• Producing and printing brochures
• Planning and cost calculation of possible radio programs
• The organization's fair stand will be set up for the Midsummer celebration of the Pentecost revival. If possible, an information point/fair stand will also be set up at other events.
• Information through events and recruitment of new volunteers.
• Based on the feedback received from the events, the organization's operations are developed.

EV magazine's working group will have the following tasks during the coming operating year:

 

• Development of EV magazine - Publication 4 times/year
• Producing a newsletter (4 times/year)
• A possible newsletter/advertisement attached to the RV magazine
• Clarifying and developing the content of the EV magazine (4 times/year)
• Information for members
• Information for stakeholders
• The EV magazine is also published on the homepage
• During the operational year, the Center for the Promotion of Art (TAIKE) will apply for grants for cultural magazines.
• EV magazine also read as a visually impaired version in cooperation with Hyvä Sanoma ry.

 

• INTERNATIONAL WORK

Elämä ja Valo carries out international Roma missionary work together with Fida International under the title "Yhdelle Vähimmõi". YV work is carried out extensively in Eastern Europe, and the work is coordinated by Roma mission coordinator Janne Harjukoski.

 

Elämä ja Valo financially manages the work in Estonia/Latvia and Poland.

 

Work for one of the least (Estonia/Latvia)

 

The target area of ​​the work is the city of Valmiera in Latvia and the surrounding rural villages. In the Estonian-Latvian border town of Valga, work is mainly carried out in the part on the Estonian side.

 

Employees

The Latvia team consists of about 10 people from different parts of Finland.

The team's work is coordinated by Keijo Baltzar

Acting as interpreters are:

Aare Lukman, Estonia

Olga Jauhiainen, Finland

 

In addition to the actual members, there are occasional people from different churches on the mission trips.

 

The Latvia team carries out about 6 mission trips per year. The team organizes two larger promotional events, the summer promotion and the Christmas promotion.

 

In addition, the team collects funds, humanitarian aid and informs about the work widely in the country throughout the year. The team's vision is to enable the local congregation's proclamation and aid work, mainly among the Roma population.

 

Gal job (Poland)

Under the name Give a Life, a team consisting of Finnish mission team members works in the area of ​​southern Poland. The team has several people from different parts of Finland. The contact person is Tom Bollström, from Lapua. In the coming year, the team will make action trips to the region of southern Poland and assist local employees.

 

Work for one of the least (other international work)

Connections with international Roma organizations are being strengthened.

Aid activities in the Eastern European region will be developed during the operational year. The purpose is to support Roma children and youth in Eastern Europe in going to school. We believe that this is sustainable development.

 

Through the Give a Life work, we reach Roma in Poland.

 

Janne Harjukoski continues as coordinator of Roma work in Eastern Europe. The coordinator's travel expenses are shared together with Fida International ry.

 

We continue our good cooperation with the sending organization Fida International ry. We participate in the activities of Fida's Romani mission coordination group.

 

• PROJECT WORK

Strengthening the inclusion of the Romani population through regional events, training and individual support and counseling 2020-2022 (STEA, Targeted action assistance)

 

The main goal of the activity is to promote the well-being of Roma families and children by strengthening inclusion through regional events, training and individual support and counseling. Operations take place in southern Finland (Southern Finland, Western Finland, Eastern Finland, Central Finland) mainly in the largest growth centers. The theoretical reference framework of the activity is built on the theme of inclusion. Participation has been seen to play an important role in the preventive implementation of substance abuse and mental health services.

 

The background of the activity is a need that has emerged based on the previous work of Elämä ja Valo ry. Based on the experience of the Ak2 project (2011-2019), we have noticed that the need for the inclusion and guidance of Roma families is still great.

 

We have asked the target group about the necessity of the activity, collected feedback from volunteers and partners and organized development days for the target group, where it is possible to bring up action proposals, feedback and criticism. We have also received feedback during home visits. We have noticed that the Roma population, which was previously known for its strong sense of community, has lost its sense of community, which in its own way has removed the safety net, especially for young people, and has affected e.g. exclusion.

 

The challenges are great, especially among individuals and families aged 15-45. The problems of parenting and life management are big. Some lack a primary school leaving certificate and a large number have not participated in secondary education. There are substance abuse and drug problems among them, especially in large growth centers. In our activities, we have reached out to this group and we have noticed that the problems with them are difficult and are increasingly in danger of being passed down. The challenges of parenting, life management problems, exclusion from the labor market and society are nationwide.

 

A lack of life control brings with it various problems: the right rhythm of life, difficulty in handling official matters, insufficient knowledge in social matters, insufficient knowledge in supporting children's schooling, problems with parenting challenges in general. Being inactive and lacking meaningful everyday activities, a person often gets into substance abuse and drug problems. This reinforces the cycle of disadvantage and is stigmatized as needing multi-professional support. Faith in one's own future has weakened and the powerlessness to take care of things has had a debilitating effect.

 

In our operations, we have become aware of a new growing problem, which is aimed at families of people with a criminal background. In these families, one of the parents is in prison and the other parent bears the responsibility of taking care of the family. When the sense of community is reduced, the support of family and loved ones is less. Problem situations arise from the special challenges brought by the Romani culture, especially when the family includes adolescent boys or girls. In Romani culture, boys between the ages of 13 and 15 cannot live alone with their mother, or girls with their father, respectively.

 

This leads to the fact that the child is usually away from home a lot, perhaps lives elsewhere (with friends, etc.), drifts into bad company.

It becomes more difficult for young people to go to school and substance and drug problems increase. The parents of a person with a substance abuse problem struggle in the midst of the challenges of self-coping, identifying substance abuse problems, living with the person with a substance abuse problem, and finding the right support and services. At worst, this can lead to mental or physical illness of the parents, social problems as individuals and as whole families. We would like to answer this challenge in our project.

 

Problems arise for the target group when the language of the authorities is foreign to them and the information about the services offered is incomplete. Based on the work of our project workers and volunteers, it has emerged that one of the key challenges is the lack of meaningful activities. Their lack of ability to work and deal, the prejudices and discrimination against them create additional challenges. A large part of the target group is unemployed. Meaningful work, experiences of success and social relationships created in support activities bring meaning to life and reduce the risk of exclusion and disadvantage. On the other hand, the experiences of successful work and support activities reduce prejudices against the Roma, which in turn contributes to the reduction of marginalization.

 

Thanks to its good reputation, Elämä ja Valo ry is trusted and it is easy to do business with the target group and partners.

 

Objectives of the operation

• Prevention of marginalization of the Romani population, inclusion and further development in the activities of the organization and various partners. Rooting of the operation as part of the cooperation of the partners.
• Better integration of the Romani population into society. Creating cooperation networks between different actors.
• Psychosocial support for families with a criminal background (challenges of parenting and life management)
• Coping, supporting, training and recreational activities of the participating volunteers. Recruiting new volunteers.

 

The target groups of the activity

Marginalized, under threat of marginalization and Roma who have lost control of their lives. Supporting the parenting and life management of families with a criminal background is also a new target group.

 

Through home visits, we have personally reached around 500 people each year. This is possible because in Romani culture home visits are perceived as meaningful. The target group appreciates being visited. There are only about 10,000 Roma in Finland, and almost everyone knows each other through some means. Therefore, reaching out to Roma in different localities does not cause problems. Our organization's positive reputation at the grassroots level makes communication even easier.

 

The Roma are a difficult target group to reach. This is best achieved when the actors are other Roma. Cultural sensitivity is of primary importance.

 

Of the target group reached through home visits (500 people annually), there are 300 people who are severely marginalized or under threat of marginalization. This number includes 100 family members of those with a criminal background.

 

The indirect target groups are the personnel of the Labor and Economic Administration and the Criminal Sanctions Institute, local associations and other third sector networks nationwide. A large target group is also the relatives and other close friends of the persons involved in the operation.

 

Content and implementation of the activity

 

Home visits

Through home visits, we reach approximately 500 people each year. During home visits, we discuss personal needs, e.g. about personal issues, life management, parenting challenges, education, work opportunities and activities that would positively affect the meaning of life. Home visits are carried out in 10 different locations as events lasting 3-6 days. On the basis of the discussions at the home visits, a situation mapping is created, which will be compared in the future with the follow-up mapping carried out by our partner or organization. Based on the results, we can see whether our activities have promoted the inclusion of the target group, the meaning of life. If necessary, they are directed to preparatory trainings of partners and different educational institutions, to trainings that strengthen life management, and to trainings leading to the strengthening of basic skills and digital skills (KAN ry/Iso Kirja ry/ViaDia ry). Customer work is developed together with ViaDia Pirkanmaa ry, with which an evaluative comparison is also carried out. If necessary, we also receive training and project mentoring from them.

 

In the coming years, we will also invest in home visits to the families of those with a criminal background by guiding them in life management issues and supporting them in the challenges of parenting. The purpose is also to strengthen the return of a parent with a criminal background to family life. Forward guidance to help and training partners.

 

Cooperation between home and school is strengthened. Meetings are organized with parents and teachers of Roma youth. Education education in Roma homes. Guidance for further paths to the activities guiding the partners' studies.

 

The activity influences the culture and practices of the local community in such a way that they protect young people from drugs. Discussions at home visits increase the understanding and control of the substance abuse phenomenon. If necessary, guidance within the scope of the partners' substance abuse activities, e.g. ViaDia/KAN

 

Regional events

Regional events are organized in different parts of Finland (20 pcs) in cooperation with partners. The regional events of our organization are commendably attended by Roma. At the events, we tell about the activities of our organization and partners and the possibility to participate in them.

 

If possible, the events also include day-long training and discussion seminars. We aim to organize the event in the same location where we carry out home visits. In this way, the target group will also receive operational tools after our visits are over, and the joint partner will take care of the target group's aftercare together with our organization. Regional events are organized annually in 18 different locations.

 

Development dates

Development days are organized twice a year. The venues of the events vary across Finland, so most people have the opportunity to participate in them. In the development days, it is possible for the target group to bring forward action proposals, feedback and criticism.

 

Training and recreation camps for volunteers

Training and recreation camps are organized twice a year. Volunteers are an important part of our operations, which we will rely on in the future as well. The challenge is the high age structure of the volunteers and the lack of personnel. For this reason, we need training and recreation for volunteers so that they can cope with their work.

 

Training and recruitment camps

In order to get new volunteers, "recruitment camps" are organized twice a year. The target of recruitment camps are young adults, who are challenged and trained to participate in the activities of our organization. The goal is to inspire younger people to become volunteers.

 

Theme camps for different groups

Three theme camps are organized annually for different target groups (women, men, families). The camps are implemented by partners.

 

Three employees are employed in the project

Project manager, 100% working time. Job description: Management of operations, supervisory work, monitoring the progress of the project plan. Cooperation with partners. Communication together with the organization's media committee. Monitoring and implementation of the operation's finances. Management of operations.

 

Two project workers, 100% working time. Job description: Organizational responsibility and execution of home visit events and other events. Visits to customers, guidance and advice. The project workers cooperate e.g. Activities with cooperation bodies, municipalities, organizations and parishes.

 

Results and implications

• In 2019, personal family meetings were held in ten different locations and around 500 people were reached. In addition to this, we organized one-day events in 25 locations across Finland. About 2,000 people were reached at these events.
• When working with families from different backgrounds, we use the peer support expertise of experienced experts as a form of supporting families. Peer support from experienced experts has been found to be a really significant support when meeting families and working with them. Our purpose in the future is to strengthen the support of experienced experts in family work.
• The result of the activity is an increase in the participation of the target group, as well as in the awareness of educational and work opportunities. Awareness of one's own opportunities, rights and obligations has increased. During 2018-2019, 10 people have been guided to the education path and four people to the work path.
• The target group has been given tools for parenting, and the youth's substance abuse and drug problems are made aware of and they know how to respond to them with the right tools and activities (we are made aware of the existence of cooperation agencies/drug operators and the opportunities they provide).
• Approximately 50 families receive support for parenthood each year. They are discussed with, supported and directed to follow-up measures. In addition to these, single-parent families and families of those with a criminal background receive help in raising young people and in identifying and preventing the use of intoxicants and narcotics.
• The long-term effects are a better quality of life for the target group, better coping and an increase in the quality of life of parents with substance abuse problems, strengthening of participation, better integration into society, improvement of community spirit and thereby removing the threat of exclusion. A peer-to-peer network has been built and service networks can be found better. Young people and young adults have received information about further education opportunities and have been guided to the further training path of partners (5-8 people each year)
• In the project, approximately 20-30 people are activated annually in the weekly activities of our organization or our partners (e.g. small groups). Some of them (8-10) participate in volunteer work helping others who are under threat of exclusion (deacon work, food distribution, home visits).
• In Romani culture, personal encounters are valued and we implement this through home visits. Home visits are a natural part of Roma culture. Through this function, they can be reached well and easily. The discussions discuss many issues in life, e.g. financial issues, educational issues, life management issues, parenting challenges, etc.
• Communication of operations and the organization has improved. Established media team responsible for communication together with the project manager. An informational video (approx. 4 min.) made in 2019 in cooperation with a partner.
• In 2019, two people were accepted for internships in media operations. In the coming years, people can be accepted for work training in this form of work. (1-2 people/annually)
• We have responded to the challenge of the Roma in the capital region by supporting the salary costs of one employee (€200.00/month). His job description is family visits in the capital region.
• We cooperate with IK-opisto (Iso Kirja ry) in their educational offer. We have been able to direct Roma people to the free Christian Life Basic Skills training, which is intended for everyone who needs support in life management, digital skills, and reading and writing skills. Each year, the goal is to guide the 2-4 people for training.

 

Implementation of monitoring and evaluation

A steering group will be established to monitor and evaluate the operation, to which partners will be invited.

The project uses previously developed questionnaires (Volunteer survey, Event feedback survey, Event feedback survey for partners, Stakeholder survey, Training feedback survey, Home visit form, Home visit effectiveness monitoring form, Self-assessment survey for the board). In addition, comparative evaluations are carried out with different partners, as well as joint evaluations between organizations.

Data collection among the Roma produces some special functions. Due to the history of the target group, the collection of different data generates some doubts and is foreign to them. For this reason, especially during home visits, the data collected is saved afterwards.

In the project, follow-up research is carried out, which is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the operation, e.g. to the participants' information, attitudes, readiness for action, challenges of life management, challenges of becoming active in society, and participation in the activities of our organization and partners.

 

Evaluation methods:

Home visits, events, theme camps (PHASE 1)

• evaluation and confirmation of everyday functioning (starting situations, failures/successes are recorded)
• describing the content and amount of support/guidance
• recording changes in competence
• survey of the need for further guidance (cooperation partners).
• stabilization of operations

Home visits, events, theme camps (PHASE 2)

• managing different things goes more independently
• change in participation in different activities
• tools/support received for parenting
• involved in postgraduate guidance (cooperation partners/own organization)
• evaluation and confirmation of everyday functioning
• the establishment of voluntary activity
• the time required for each step is measured individually.

 

Volunteer work

• Training and recreation camps for volunteers

        - Two training and recreation camps are organized annually, in which a total of 60 people participate (30 people/camp)

        - At the camps, current volunteers are strengthened to cope with their work. At the camps, they also receive training for tasks.

 

• Training and recruitment camps

- Two training and recruitment camps are organized annually, in which a total of 60 people participate (30 people/camp). With the help of the camps, the aim is to get 10 new volunteers into the organization's activities each year.

 

• Functions found to be good are further developed.

Implementation of communication

External communication:

• The organization uses a Facebook website, which is a very effective channel for information. The site already has about 3,000 likes. During the coming operating year, the aim is to increase it to 4,000 likes.
• The EV magazine published by the organization is published 4 times a year and reaches around 3,000 people.
• The organization's website (elamajavalo.fi)
• The results of the operation are published online so that the results become known.
• We inform about events in different media and present "hero stories" about Roma of different ages, which encourage other members of the target group to pursue bigger dreams.
• Midsummer conference of Iso Kirja ry in Keuruu. At the event, we will inform about the activities of our project and reach around 8,000 – 10,000 people, some of them Roma, at the fair stand and at the event organized by Elämä ja Valo ry. About 30,000 people will participate in the event as a whole.
• We cooperate strongly with e.g. Joint communication with the marketing departments of Fida International ry, Aikamedia Oy, Radio Dei and Avainmedia ry (Newspaper, video and radio advertising and articles)

 

• Internal communications:
• Home visit discussions, feedback
• Text messages, phone calls, email
• During the activity, the cooperation network's views on the effects of the activities will also be heard (questionnaire templates)

 

Risks and their management

• The activities of our organization or our partners do not interest or activate the target group. This is prepared by organizing surveys for the target group and actively monitoring the reactions of the target group. We organize two development days every year, where the target group can present their ideas and positive and negative criticism of the activities.
• Necessary support measures are not available in the locality of the family/individual to be helped. We prepare for this by finding out the services offered by nearby areas and potential partners.
• Limited knowledge of financial management and project management is a risk, which we influence by training in different tasks of financial management and reporting (ARTSI training, JET training). During 2019, we have switched to using a new financial management program (Procountor). With this, the invoice approval cycle is speeded up and clarified, the number of travel invoices can be better kept under control. The use of the program freed up some human resources for field work.
• Operations employees. A small number of employees is a risk. How are they doing at work? We respond to this by training them and distributing responsibility evenly within the board. It would also be necessary to hire one new project employee, which would help reduce the workload of the current employees.
• A decrease in volunteers is a risk that we prepare for by training and rewarding volunteers at training and recreation camps. We are trying to recruit more new younger volunteers.
• Risk in the economy. There are always challenges in fundraising. This is prepared for by planning a clear fundraising strategy and by maintaining good relations with various actors.
• The project operates in a geographically wide area. Because of this, there is a risk that travel expenses will become too high. Travel expenses are controlled by tracking them (Procountor) and, if necessary, travel is restricted. Where possible, video or telephone meetings are used.

 

• CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

 

Articles in Romani are published in EV magazine and on the homepage. During the operational year, lectures on Romani culture will be organized as far as possible in various parishes, educational institutions and agencies.

 

• REPRESENTATIONS AND COOPERATION

 

The association has representatives in e.g.

• RONK (Consultative Council for Romanian Affairs)
• HYRY (registered associations of Hellenistic Christians)
• SuHel (Mission organizations of Pentecostal churches)
• Conference Committee of the Pentecost Revival (Iso Kirja ry)
• Roma mission coordination group (Fida International ry)

 

• GRANTS

 

To support the association's activities, we apply for grants from the following sources.

• STEA (Targeted operational assistance Ak)
• Art promotion center (Cultural magazine grant)
• We are looking for possible other supporters (e.g. foundations)

 

• ADMINISTRATION

The board meets 6-8 times during the operating year and decides on the association's most important issues. For practical activities, the board appoints committees and working groups whose activities it monitors. Most meetings take place via conference call or video.

 

In addition, in 2021, we plan to start a board work development program, where we want to train and guide the youth of our organization in board work. In practice, this means that we choose for one year at a time the so-called a youth member who has the right and the opportunity to participate in board meetings, discussions and to bring especially the voice of young people to the board's decision-making. A "youth member" may participate in the work of the board, but he does not have an official position in the board and therefore does not have decision/voting rights. The board identifies and selects a "youth member" representative.

 

Between the board meetings, the practical activities are managed by the working committee. It meets 5-6 times during the operating year, even with short notice if necessary, and makes decisions according to the board's instructions.

 

In addition to regular meetings, the association organizes events for the entire membership when necessary.

 

The organization has an activity coordinator, an event coordinator and a project worker as paid employees. Volunteer workers, who are very important to the organization's activities, can also be mentioned as resources. They have always been and will be the most important resource enabling the work of Elämä ja Valo ry.

 

• ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES

 

The planning, monitoring and evaluation of Elämä ja Valo ry promote learning and productivity

 

• During 2018-2019, a planning and monitoring system has been developed to serve the planning, monitoring, reporting and management of operations more efficiently and systematically. The form templates used in planning and reporting were renewed to promote transparency, focus on goals and results, learning and continuous improvement of operations, and clear reporting to financiers.
• The personnel's planning and monitoring skills are developed, among other things, in utilizing the change mapping approach and monitoring work results.
• Idea brainstorming days aimed at the Roma population help to develop different areas of the organization to better meet the needs of the target group.
• STEA's observations and conclusions are put to good use in the development of operations and practices, for example with regard to evaluation activities.
• During 2019, the Procountor financial administration program has been introduced in the financial administration to clarify reporting.

Elämä ja Valo ry uses its resources cost-effectively and in accordance with the principles of sustainable development

 

• Elämä ja Valo ry's administration and use of resources are guided by economic and social sustainability and cost efficiency.
• The decision register is being developed in such a way that the background papers of the decisions are available in electronic form.
• The website of Elämä ja Valo ry is kept up-to-date and appropriate to support the work. In all website renewals, attention is paid to improving the usability and accessibility of the sites. The media committee is responsible for updating.

Elämä ja Valo ry has expert, motivated and developing personnel

 

• The aim is to increase the organization's human resources from two permanent employees to three. If possible, we also hire staff with the help of salary support. In the Helsinki region, an employee hired by the Helsinki Saalem parish is supported with novels.
• An orientation program is being developed for volunteers. The training of new team leaders is developed and other personnel trainings are organized as needed.

 

The management system of Elämä ja Valo ry works efficiently and implements the will of the members

• The priorities of the management of the operating year are the development of operations and taking care of the well-being of the personnel at work. The goal is to strengthen the ownership of the owners, i.e. the target group and the members, and at the same time also create new ways for the membership to participate better in joint work.
• The board meets five to six times during the operating year, and in addition to the executive management, different work groups and external service providers are needed to support its work. From the beginning of winter, if necessary, orientation of the new board will be organized.
• The staff's well-being at work is ensured by ensuring a positive and encouraging atmosphere that supports adaptation to changes. The key means of supporting a good atmosphere and coping at work are the continuous development of managerial work, supporting personnel's expertise and work life skills, and development processes concerning the entire work community.
• Securing the organization's operating conditions in the future is important. Strengthening the funding base and dialogue with actors granting support are particularly important. Elämä ja Valo ry also wants to identify new funding sources to support operations.
• During the operational year, preparations will continue in the work of Elämä ja Valo ry's Agenda 2025. Agenda 2025 assesses the future of our organization and creates a common path to the planned goals.
• Cooperation and networking with key stakeholders will continue.