Transcript SO5-GP2 Glasade Gangen restaurant

Name of the project and Sub-Objective of the PEOPLE project
GLASADE GÅNGEN RESTAURANT
Social entrepreneurship (SO5) & Social & e-inclusion (SO4)
Glasade Gången restaurant in Stockholm operated with the participation of mentally challenges adults
Objectives of the project
- to provide equal opportunities for mentally challenges adults on labor market;
- to increase social awareness and sensibility for the social exclusion problems of people with
disabilities as well as thereby overcome negative attitudes and prejudices concerning
workers with disabilities;
- to create a model of public-private social enterprise with highly demanded services;
- to develop a corporate social responsibility idea by means of involving business in
consumption of services of social enterprises.
Beneficiaries (involved & concerned)
mentally challenged adults as well as other vulnerable social groups (by means of
providing them affordable, low-cost services such as business lunches, laundry,
catering services etc)
Results of the project
Adults with intellectual disabilities have found their roles and meaningful work with their responsibilities and great influence on the business. The services of the
cafe are highly demanded. The model is based on development of a public-private
social cluster with an active participation of the City of Stockholm as well as
private organisations.
Strengths of the project
 Sustainability of the project;
 Independence from budget financing;
 Broad social orientation;
Involvement of business community;
 Development of corporate social responsibility.
Success factors of the project
Glasade Gången activated a number of other vulnerably social groups as well as
representatives of business communities to support the social enterprise's
development and thus contributed to increase social cohesion and solutions for a
number of social problems.
Problems encountered
In 2008 the number of lunch guests has increased from 60-100 to 100-150 people per day.
During the latter part of the year, customer numbers increased significantly and the
decision was taken to make a pause in catering services in order to serve lunch and
conference guests. However, the main task is to find the right balance between the
demand for services and social effect for the main target group. The staff must always keep
in mind that in first place it is a daily activity for a social group with a mental challenge.
Continuation of the project
The model is already widely spread in Sweden and outside EU (in particular Russia).
This example of social entrepreneurship is self-supporting and not dependant on
budget financing.
Replication of the project
The practice may be transferred in different conditions and different regions. The
model is efficient not only with cafe/catering activities but also as a laundry etc, any
other service which contains a number of duties easy to be carried out by a group
of people with mental disabilities and demanded by other social groups in the area.
It is important that the tasks are concrete and that everyone should see his share of
the final product.