Examining the Effectiveness of Projects and Programs Aimed to the Social Inclusion of the Disadvantaged Population Living in Hungary

Abstract

Hungary has recently taken significant steps to improve the social condition of people living in poverty, yet the social inclusion of the disadvantaged population is still on the agenda. Individuals, families and communities living in multiple disadvantaged, marginalized living conditions and suffering from segregation are mainly concentrated in the backward territorial areas of Hungary - to a greater extent in Southern Transdanubia and North-Eastern Hungary. The consequences of the negative effects of lasting deprivation of goods and opportunities, which are inherited over generations, include falling behind, exclusion from life opportunities, both in terms of learning, employment and access to services.
The Research Center for Social Inclusion and Social Economy at the University of Pécs, in cooperation with the Human Exchange Human Resource Development and Consulting Foundation, has participated in several projects financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). The mentioned projects are aimed to promote the social conditions of disadvantaged people, increasing their chances and opportunities. In addition to the planning and development activities carried out within the framework of the projects, we also participated in the examination of the effectiveness of projects and programs aimed to the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups living in Hungary.
Evaluation research should be an important tool in measuring the effectiveness, success and efficiency of different programs and projects, since without them it is not possible to improve the programs; to enhance their efficiency and increase their sustainability.