The SocialXChange Charity Store in Bucharest, 6 District, was launched in early 2015. The store receives donations from citizens or businesses and directs them to disadvantaged people in the 6 District. In exchange for the products received, the beneficiaries provide various community-based activities. Donors are rewarded through a range of services provided by the 6 District General Direction for Social Care and Child Protection. The evaluation of the products, the work done and the services provided to the donors is based on a transparent system of points. The establishment of the SocialXChange store has brought many benefits and rewards to the community. Beneficiaries’ efforts to overcome their needy condition have been answered by people eager to help, which has given a new meaning to the idea of a united community.
The 300 people who have been given the chance for a normal life through the SocialXChange Charity Store are a small part of the people in need category that requires our support. In turn, the over 1000 companies and individuals who supported our first store, located in the Crângași District, represent only a small part of those who can and want to help. Together with our partners, we have succeeded in promoting this project as a successful social programme.
The services provided to donors consist of medical treatment, language courses, parenting, event organisation, sports and entertainment. In this way, people who want to support those in need can exercise their civic engagement giving people with financial problems a temporary solution to overcome crisis situations. Apart from its social utility, the programme also has a strong economic and environmental impact, combating waste and promoting environmental protection. The results obtained, the national and international assessments, the reactions from the beneficiaries, companies or specialists, convinced us to extend this project and bring SocialXChange closer to the homes of all the citizens of 6 District.
We must not forget the ecological environmental protection, which this type of activity promotes. This has contributed to the reputation of the programme and has brought more people willing to donate. Based on these considerations, 6 District General Direction for Social Care and Child Protection decided to open a new SocialXChange Store in another area of the District in September 2017. The donations that can be made at the SocialXChange Store are non-perishable and shelf-life foods (flour, oil, sugar, canned food, pasta, rice, etc.), electronics, furniture, sanitary products, or toys and other children’s accessories. We were delighted with the impact SocialXChange had on those around us and we were glad to hear that giving and receiving bring the same joy and put people together. There were still firms, big retailers, state institutions, but also many individuals still not socially involved, who could give us a helping hand.
Once it became known, the programme received national and international appreciation; many institutions and individuals working in the social field were interested in its implementation. Several city and community administrations have approached us to provide them with the know-how about implementing this programme.
SocialXChange has been recognised at European level as an innovative programme that can respond to many of the challenges of Western societies, including refugee integration:
- Recognition as a Good Practice Model at the European Quality Conference ‘Strengthening the capacity of public administration at present and future challenges. Public administration – part of a solution’, Luxembourg, 1–2 October 2015.
- Best Practice Certificate at the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) competition ‘Public Sector as a Partner for a Better Society’, Maastricht, the Netherlands, 17–18 November 2015;
- Excellence Award for the ‘Most Important Projects for the Development of Social Services at the Sixth Edition of the Gala of Excellence Awards Gala, Poiana Brasov, 22 October 2015;
- Second Prize in Pillar III – Methods and Practices to Stimulate Citizen Participation in Public Life at the International Conference ‘Innovation and Quality in the Public Sector’, organised by the National Agency of Civil Servants (ANFP), Sibiu, 19 November 2015;
- The Grand Prize at the Public Institutions Category to promote the principles of environmental protection at the Eighth Edition of the Clean Environment Awards Gala organised by ECOTIC.
Up to the opening of the new store in September 2017, more than 1110 businesses and individuals had been involved in this project, offering various donations. A total of 300 people chose to work in return for the aid received; there were 3 tonnes of cereal-based food, 4800 cans of meat and vegetables, 2500 litres of oil and 2.1 tonnes of sugar donated. Beneficiaries provided 4550 community work hours.
Since the beginning of 2015, we have been able to open access to those who do not have money for goods of strict necessity, which they choose according to their own needs. We have reduced the dependence of poor people on social benefits and stimulated people’s involvement in community life. The services provided to donors have increased social cohesion, and the environment has gained by reintroducing many products into the consumer circuit.