Introduction

Bucharest declaration

On 25-29 May 2009, Motivation Romania and the Shaw Trust together with Workability Europe hosted Workability Europe's annual conference on "Financial and Economic Challenges: 2009 and Beyond" in Bucharest.

The organizers are grateful for the support of the Romanian National Authority for People with Disabilities and would also like to acknowledge the significant role played by participants and speakers.

Participants from 30 member organisations from 17 countries as well as officials from the Romanian government, the European Union and other non-governmental organisations were present during the conference.

1. The presentations and discussions of the conference show a common concern among participants about the future operations of the sector in these times of economic turmoil. Most members of Workability Europe report that they are directly affected by the global recession. Some national member organisations report a loss of jobs of up to 30% and income, jeopardising the sustainability of the ongoing operations during these economically difficult times. This holds especially true for jobs in the industrial sector.

2. Participants of the conference express their concern that achievements of the last years, even decades, are currently under threat, especially the statement of the Reykjavik Declaration of 2003 of equal opportunities of employment for people with disabilities. Workability Europe and its members want to remind governments and the European Institutions that social systems are also social stabilisers and that in times of economic uncertainty these systems are of increased importance to society. We therefore offer our expertise and cooperation to the relevant authorities in order to provide solutions and mechanisms to address this issue with our knowledge of the various models of employment, such as sheltered employment, supported employment, social enterprises, vocational training programmes and re-integration programmes.

3. Participants agree that further action has to be taken to encourage disabled people to enter - and retrain and retain in - the labour market. The current efforts of Governments, Companies and non-profit Organisations therefore should be increased.

Namely:

• More and better training possibilities for people with disabilities,
• Advocacy to get employers to recognise the capacities of people with disabilities,
• Optimise the opportunities for employment for people with disabilities to enter/re-enter the workplace by providing sustainable employment, in our own organisations as well as in open employment

4. Workability Europe is nevertheless convinced that the current economic challenges also present opportunities to its members to build stronger and more sustainable organisations.

Some of the key strategies agreed on by the participants are:

• Reviewing operations and seeking innovative solutions,
• Stimulating cross-border partnerships to secure the development of employment opportunities for people with disabilities,
• Exchanging good practices through networking.

Ultimately, only sustainable and competitive organisations will ensure the human right to work including for people with disabilities.

Workability Europe at a glance

Who are we?
Workability Europe was the first Regional Group to be formed by the European members of Workability International in 1995. On 8 February 2001 a legal framework was established for Workability Europe as an independent not-for-profit Association under Dutch law.

Today, Workability Europe is the largest employer body representing providers of work and employment services to people with disabilities in Europe. It has 40 member organisations located in more than 23 countries. The growing membership provides work programmes for over 1,250,000 persons with a disability yearly.

Workability Europe cooperates with the European Institutions and strives to contribute to EU's Disability and Social Agenda. It is a founding member of the European Disability Forum (EDF) and the European Federation of Social Employers (FEDES), and a member of the Platform of European Social NGOs, Business & Disability European Network, the Social Employers Network (SEN), European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public services (CEEP), and the European Council for Non-Profit Organisations (CEDAG). Workability Europe also works closely with other international organisations, employers, trade unions and relevant NGOs.