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Lithuania is by its own account oriented to Scandinavian countries and follows a socialdemocratic
social security model with similarities to the German structure, while however
currently implementing a more liberal-oriented policy.
The current state welfare orientation cannot have a recognisable influence on concrete
strategies and programmes for disadvantaged children and young persons due to the
continuing substantial indeterminacy. The influence of the socialist state history is in visible
to a much greater degree. It will remain to be seen in which direction the state welfare
structure will develop in Eastern European countries and how this will influence the future
development and implementation of social welfare programmes for disadvantaged children
and young persons.
The manner in which politically responsible actors perceive the problem complexes
appears to exert a strong influence.
Programmes for disadvantaged children and young persons in Western European
countries primarily developed on the basis of strategies. In contrast, in Eastern Europe
there is a tendency for ‘ad hoc’ reactions to individual problems with no overriding
strategy. It is more a matter of short-term reaction than strategic action. In these countries
it is also typical that most actions undertaken are directed at all young persons and accepted
by the majority. The services offered by the various welfare institutions do not differentiate
between those who are or are not socially disadvantaged; this does however not implicate
that social differences are not considered in these services. In the category of leisure
activities for example, financial support is available for children and young persons from
disadvantaged families.
The national strategies and programmes presented by these countries should be
examined and compared among each other in a similar manner to processes existing in
Western European countries which proceed in a more transversal and strategic manner.
Here it is important to highlight specific factors and general conditions in Eastern Europe
in order to achieve a legitimate evaluation of the programmes presented.
Programmatic starting point
In the above-mentioned Eastern European countries, individual specific problem areas
served as the starting point for the development and implementation of the national
programmes presented. In Hungary, activity within the informal economy has remained a
significant factor of welfare production as in other post-Communist states (cf.
Götting/Lessenich 1998: 302) which has led to specific social problems. Only a small
proportion of the employable population is registered in official employment and social
systems (grey and black market). This fact was the starting point for the implementation of
the programme for the improvement of professional integration primarily targeted at welltrained
young persons in extremely underdeveloped regions.
In Poland, it is the rural areas which are particularly underdeveloped. Here a steep
decrease in population can be observed, particularly within the age group between seven
and 18. For these regions, a national programme was set up for the equalisation of
educational opportunities of children and young persons, primarily offering activities within
the area of out-of-school education.
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