Socio-Cultural Participation

There is a growing insight that persistent differences in welfare are connected with differences in social capital, i.e. the aggregate of networks, shared standards and values and relationships that makes cooperation in and between groups easier, which in turn leads to a more effective achievement of common goals. People’s social relationships largely determine their access to (im)material resources and consequently, their opportunities for social integration and participation in society. This measure aims to include the underprivileged in society via participation in culture, sports and new information and communication technologies. Opportunities for the target group to get out and mix with other people can be a first step towards full involvement and participation in society. Therefore the initiatives supported by this measure are clearly distinguished from a certain professional integration route. This regards a phase prior to that, so to speak; one in which the participants develop a fighting spirit and self assurance. The PSWC's role herein is to identify the target group, to formulate projects and to bring participants in contact with providers. The PSWC receives means to stimulate active or passive participation of the target group in certain activities or manifestations. Such stimulus can consist of an individual benefit, such as help to buy an admission ticket, but it can also comprise a collective advantage by supporting a manifestation that does not specifically address the target group. The PSWC may define special priority groups that get preferred treatment in the assignment of the benefit. Nevertheless the distribution of the benefit across the target group must be reasonable and fair.