Fostering Local Caring Community Building through Mutual-aid Funding in Accordance with § 20 h SGB V and § 45 d SGB XI, Using the Example of the “Social Network Lausitz”

The socio-structural development towards an ever-increasing lifespan (in Germany), predicted by social scientists, implies a growing need of services of general public interest for those in need, especially in the areas of health and care provision. Considering the continuous skills shortage in these areas one can assume that social insurances and the welfare state might become partially incapable to fulfil their obligation to guarantee social security. Innovative alternative approaches of local provision of services of general public interest, especially in rural areas, make use of effective resources of mutual-aid organisation which is efficiently networking with other social institutions, NGOs, local businesses and the citizens. Professional and financial support is ideally given by the local administration/ the municipalities as well as the social insurers according to § 20 h SGB V and § 45 d SGB XI. This article presents and analyses a successful coordination of services of general public interest through a contact office for mutual-aid groups in the Oberlausitz/Saxony, Germany which is mainly operating in the realms of the Third Sector.