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Foundation Vincenc Draksler
Published on 27 March 2019
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
AssistantProjectManager
About this good practice
Before 2000, in Slovenia and in our region, there was no rehabilitation centre for ex drug addicts (beside those in hospitals). Mr. Vincenc Draksler, philanthropist and donor, was very keen to help those, who came back from communes abroad or from rehabilitation programs (hospitals) and had no opportunity for further rehabilitation that would include a safe place to stay, psychosocial and work therapy. He agreed with local community Kranj to establish a Foundation to help ex drug addicts. They prepared a program for rehabilitation of ex drug addicts and first boys were given a chance to improve their knowledge and capacities to be able to find a regular job later on.
The rehabilitation program got concession from the state and quality program was implemented with the help of relevant experts.The Foundation established a social enterprise and set up a reuse centre (at two locations). They also provide work therapy, where boys produce new items and repair used items that they get from companies with concession from local communities to gather used objects (furniture, lights, technical items, etc.). They have a shop in Kranj city centre, where they sell items from their own workshops and from other NGOs, associations that are dealing with vulnerable groups. Beside yearly donation from the donor Mr. Draksler and yearly support from the Municipality of Kranj, foundation tries to get funds also through structural funds and from private donors (companies, individuals).
The rehabilitation program got concession from the state and quality program was implemented with the help of relevant experts.The Foundation established a social enterprise and set up a reuse centre (at two locations). They also provide work therapy, where boys produce new items and repair used items that they get from companies with concession from local communities to gather used objects (furniture, lights, technical items, etc.). They have a shop in Kranj city centre, where they sell items from their own workshops and from other NGOs, associations that are dealing with vulnerable groups. Beside yearly donation from the donor Mr. Draksler and yearly support from the Municipality of Kranj, foundation tries to get funds also through structural funds and from private donors (companies, individuals).
Resources needed
• Coordinator and support team to work daily with former drug addicts involved in the program.
• Qualified mentors and experts in the field of reuse.
• Suitable premises for production of new items – workshops.
• Other: salaries for workers (former drug addicts), machines, equipment, electricity.
• Qualified mentors and experts in the field of reuse.
• Suitable premises for production of new items – workshops.
• Other: salaries for workers (former drug addicts), machines, equipment, electricity.
Evidence of success
Vincenc Draksler Foundation is the first social enterprise in the Gorenjska region. They are successfully developing and implementing program for reintegration of ex drug users (state concession). They developed a successful social enterprise with inclusion of ex drug addicts into work therapy (workshops for production of new items/repair of old items that can be reused) and they have several shops were such items can be purchased (also in Kranj city centre).
Potential for learning or transfer
Foundation Vincenc Draksler is successful because they:
- have defined specific content of their work and are aware of the necessity for quality experts involved in support program and they know the needs of ex drug addicts
- gradually built their core business including new activities that are of benefit to users (ex drug addicts) and wider public (e.g. shops)
- carefully built their image (having in mind also philanthropy and importance of healthy living)
- have steady financial flow (partly from donations, public funds, partly from the market)
Foundation Vincenc Draksler has an innovative business model that has proved its viability. Since they combine rehabilitation centre (concession from the state) and social enterprise activities and have constant donor support, they will sustain their activities. Their good results, especially regarding the successful programs for ex drug addicts can also be used in other regions, the same goes for their good practice of gaining funds.
- have defined specific content of their work and are aware of the necessity for quality experts involved in support program and they know the needs of ex drug addicts
- gradually built their core business including new activities that are of benefit to users (ex drug addicts) and wider public (e.g. shops)
- carefully built their image (having in mind also philanthropy and importance of healthy living)
- have steady financial flow (partly from donations, public funds, partly from the market)
Foundation Vincenc Draksler has an innovative business model that has proved its viability. Since they combine rehabilitation centre (concession from the state) and social enterprise activities and have constant donor support, they will sustain their activities. Their good results, especially regarding the successful programs for ex drug addicts can also be used in other regions, the same goes for their good practice of gaining funds.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Vincenc Draksler Foundation
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
Contact
AssistantProjectManager