Dvarionas, Džiugas

This article aims to introduce the concept of Permanent Urban Living Lab (PULL) as a method for urban transformative capacity building. Since the beginning of 2000s, the urban living labs (ULLs) are being researched and examined as experimental settings that bring together various stakeholders, such as citizens, researchers, businesses, and policymakers, to co-create and test innovative solutions for urban developments. They offer a collaborative and participatory approach to urban solutions that engages and empowers local communities and fosters a culture of a shared foresight process and mutual learning. In the context of local development, the ULLs can serve as a powerful tool for building the urban transformative capacities (UTC) by providing a platform for local actors to develop their skills, knowledge, and networks for intersectoral cooperation, and by creating opportunities for experimentation and experiential learning. The case of Alytus, Lithuania, is an interesting example of how the urban living labs can be used to drive local development. Alytus is a mid-sized city in Lithuania, Northern Europe that has faced a range of social, geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges typical of the region in recent years, including declining population, high unemployment, and deteriorating public spaces. The aim of this article is to analyse the perspective of implementation of European policies and methodologies presented in the Urban Europe Programme if applied to the search of transformative capacities’ building for better city co-governance. In this respect, methods of the quadrupole helix model, urban living labs, force field analysis and different forms of co-creation are discussed as the founding elements for initiating a digital platform for citizens’ involvement and participation in urban transformations.

The supply, accessibility and efficiency of social services are important factors in the quality of life of society, as they are the basis for maintaining social well-being and the quality of life of people with social needs. Local communities, as the smallest part of the social system of society, are becoming a significant stakeholder in the formation and provision of social services. The aim of this article, as well as the conducted qualitative research, is to reveal and discuss the topic relevant today - the involvement of local community organizations (NGOs) in community service development processes, focusing on NGO capacity building and sustainability. The article reveals the possibilities of community-level NGOs in Lithuania to actively participate in the provision of social services. The research was carried out by interviewing the leaders and representatives of NGOs belonging to the Kaunas Community Association. The results of the research reveal the current conditions and perspective opportunities of local NGOs to develop and provide social services at the local level and allow a clearer understanding of the sector’s readiness for the development of social services in Lithuania. The study showed that although non-governmental organizations can be actively involved in the provision of social services, there are some limitations due to non-constructive communication with public institutions and the lack of financial resources. Although local NGOs provide some social services at the community level, the need for social services is significantly greater than the capacity of the organization.

Šio straipsnio tikslas – pateikti ir aptarti LMT paremto projekto (MIP-021/2011) metu sukurtą ir empiriniais tyrimo duomenimis pagrįstą koncepcinį įgalinančių socialinių paslaugų modelį Lietuvoje išryškinant ir palyginant įvairias socialinės politikos bei valstybės gerovės ideologijų sąsajas, taip pat atskleidžiant ir apibendrinant atlikto empirinio tyrimo duomenimis grįstus socialinių paslaugų teikėjų ir gavėjų vertinimus.

This paper presents the theoretical aspects of the concept of empowerment and presents the empirical results, implying the expression of empowerment at different levels in the context of social services in Lithuania. Empowerment is discussed in several aspects – power relations, empowerment levels, sources of empowerment, empowerment as a professional social work, the strengths perspective, and empowerment criticism. Empirical research was conducted to uncover how social experiences are evaluated from the point of view by different social actors: users and service providers. The empowerment issue relates to the interpretation of power. Power is considered to be the defining element and main construct of the society. Understanding the phenomena of power and empowerment respectively can only be possible by detecting their reflections in macro, mezzo and micro levels. According Foucault, it is important to understand not only how the power occurs, but how the resistance to it is possible. The challenge of resistance to power, according to Foucault, lies in the individual level. So, an individual has ability to not only obey and demonstrate self-disciplined, but also a man is able to liberate his own self. Resistance is possible in the context of everyday life, after understanding and identifying the hindering powers of social environment, and stopping the reproduction of power relations imposed by authorities and institutions. Power dwells in human relations and subjectivity. Power as such is referred to certain individuals’ and organizations’ ability to reach their targeted, intended or unintended consequences towards other persons or organizations (Lord, Hutchison, 1993). According to Foucault’s perspective, the social worker obtains a “pastoral power” when he begins to perform the roles of care and control, which are designated to him by the laws and the system itself. [...]

Ši priemonė skirta studijuojantiesiems socialinės ekonomikos (SE) dalyką ir norintiems gilinti žinias socialinės ekonominės partnerystės srityje. Leidinyje pristatomas socialinės ekonomikos apibrėžtis, veiklos formos bei egzistuojantys SE modeliai. Diskurso pagrindą sudaro Europoje vyraujanti socialinės ekonomikos samprata, apimanti šioje srityje veikiančių kooperatyvų, savitarpio paramos organizacijų (savidraudos bendrijos, kredito unijos), asociacijų ir fondų dalyvavimą nacionalinėse ekonomikose, ir socialinės ekonominės partnerystės tarp viešojo sektoriaus, verslo įmonių ir trečiojo sektoriaus organizacijų plėtotė. Metodinės priemonės tikslas – palengvinti socialinės ekonomikos dalyko studijas, suteikiant diskurso temoms aiškią struktūrą ir nuoseklumą bei paskatinti platesnes akademines diskusijas socialinės ekonomikos temomis Lietuvoje.

With increasing numbers of the elderly and increased life expectancy, there is a need to improve the availability and standards of health and social care services. Services for persons with dementia and their caregivers in Kaunas County are fragmented and scarce. The aim – to improve the health and social care services for the persons with dementia in Kaunas County. The methods: analysis of the current situation of persons with dementia in Kaunas County based on the data, documents, and other statistical resources; sociological qualitative study involving formal and informal caregivers and persons with dementia; cost-efficiency analysis in selected institutions; the final feasibility study.The results: analysis of the current situation of services for persons with dementia in municipalities of Kaunas County revealed the peculiarities in different municipalities, the disparities in rural and urban areas, and the shortage of the specialized services for persons with dementia. Sociological investigation revealed that the caregivers of persons with dementia mostly require early and timely diagnosis and respite care services in the community. 12 health and social care institutions, possibly serving persons with dementia, in Kaunas County were evaluated economically. The conclusions: 1) There is a great need for community based services, as day centers, in Kaunas County; 2) the health and social care institutions have to offer specialized services for persons with dementia; 3) the additional (non-state) financing is required to ensure required services for persons with dementia. * preparation of the study was managed by Kaunas Regional Development Agency by order of the Kaunas County Governor ‘s Administration.** the study financed by the PHARE PPF program project Nr. 2003/004.341.08.01.04.03.

One of the main economic and social problems that not only Lithuania but also the whole world faces is unemployment. This problem officially did not exist until the country regained Independence. At the beginning of 1991 there were 4600 unemployed people and from that time the number of them has been increasing. Long-term unemployment influences the situation of the individual and his/her family. This phenomenon causes other social problems: social apathy, mistrust for the social environment, dependency on drungs or alcohol, ect. Self-help groups are seen as a method to help unemployed people to return to the labour market.[...].