| Abstract [eng] |
The features of cooperation between non-governmental organizations and local government in the implementation of family policy are analysed in the Master's thesis. This topic is relevant because the private sector is not always able to ensure and meet the demand of services necessary for families. This means that non-governmental organizations have an impact on ensuring public welfare. The cooperation of the government and non-governmental organizations is called social partnership, based on mutual obligations, consulting and financial assistance. Therefore in order to achieve effective, quality impact of family policy, non-governmental organizations should be included in this process, this could thus help ensure the transparency and effectiveness of the family policy implementation process. It is relevant analyse the cooperation of non-governmental organizations and local government in the implementation of family policy because there is a lack of much needed public initiatives in the area of family welfare. This work is a scientific novelty because the family policy is looked at from a broader perspective, not only as monetary support. Therefore, in order to analyse the cooperation of these sectors the following problematic question is raised: In what ways do NGOs and local government cooperate and what models are effective for implementation of family policy? In order to answer this question, the following aim is established – to analyse the features of cooperation between the local government of Skuodas district municipality and NGOs in the implementation of family policy. The cooperation between Skuodas district municipality and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of family policy is focused on in order achieve the aim. The following objectives were set: 1. to theoretically analyse the concept, aims and means of family policy; 2. to identify the potential, principles and opportunities for cooperation of local government and non-governmental organizations in implementation of family policy; 3. to substantiate the research methodology used for analysing cooperation between local government and non-governmental organizations; 4. to empirically identify the features of cooperation between the local government of Skuodas district municipality and non-governmental organizations; 5. to provide recommendations for improving cooperation between local government and non-governmental organizations. In order to fulfil the objectives a theoretical analysis of cooperation between non-governmental organizations and local government in the implementation of family policy is carried out in the first part of the thesis, the concepts of family policy, institutions initiating, carrying out family policy and the legal definition thereof, the concept, models and implementation strategies of cooperation between local government and non-governmental institutions are indicated. The analysis methodology is established in the second part of the thesis. A qualitative analysis using a direct interview was carried out in order to analyse how the government of Skuodas district and non-governmental organizations implement family policy. The results of the analysis were established in the third part of the thesis, by analysing the contents of interview texts. Conclusions were formed and recommendations for improvement of cooperation between the local government of Skuodas district and non-governmental organizations were provided on the basis of the results. The results of the analysis have shown that the local government of Skuodas district and non-governmental institutions have the same aim – solving family problems, organizing activities for children, providing possibilities for work-family balance, prevention of social-risk families, providing comprehensive support for families. Non-governmental organizations aid the local government in the implementation of family policy by providing various services, partial involvement in making decisions and projects. The results of the analysis have shown that the local government lacks initiative for involving non-governmental organizations in the decision-making process, local government provides little info about activities carried out, non-governmental organizations are reluctant to submit projects, and there is a lack of financing, positive attitude towards non-governmental organizations, continuity of cooperation and initiative of local-government representatives. Therefore the recommendations prepared suggest that the local government of Skuodas district should include non-governmental organizations in making decisions regarding family policy, announce comprehensive information about projects carried out and decisions made, and appoint an inter-institutional coordinator. The non-governmental organizations of Skuodas district should be active in submitting proposals, projects and establishing community homes in villages and wards. |
