Kovács Csaba
Organization: Félúton Alapítvány
Year Founded: 1994
Country: Hungary
Website: www.feluton.hu
Félúton Alapítvány heals people suffering from alcohol and gambling addictions, and in need of psychiatric treatment. It plays an active role in educating youth about the diseases. Focus: Health Geographic Area of Impact: Hungary Model: Hybrid Non-Profit Number of Direct Beneficiaries: 2,138 (2009) Annual Budget: US$ 1.3 million (2009) Percentage Earned Revenue: 12-15% Recognition: Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Hungary, 2008 Background Alcoholism in Hungary is considered a serious problem, with 10% of the population diagnosed and 2% in need of urgent help. During the country’s socialistic era, alcoholism did not “officially” exist. After the fall of communism, neither prevention, treatment, nor laws were developed to solve the emerging issue. Today, treatment in Hungary is not effective – addiction problems are ignored or regarded as problems of those on the edge of society, and lack of prevention has led to the consumption of alcohol at younger ages. Innovation and Activities Félúton Alapítvány (Halfway Foundation) heals people suffering from alcohol and gambling addictions, and people in need of psychiatric treatment. It also educates young people about alcohol and addiction, and works to change legislation. Félúton Alapítvány regards the problem of addiction as a complex health issue and not as a moral one. The responsibility for recovery is given to the patient to ensure sustainability of results. Those willing to recover get the information and support they need. Family members are also educated about the disease and how they should treat sick family members. Félúton Alapítvány goes even one step further by helping to integrate rehabilitated patients back into the professional labour market. Félúton Alapítvány’s activities are organized into daily and temporary care assistance with the goal of rehabilitating as many addicted people as possible. Its approach has been integrated into Hungary’s healthcare scheme; its operations are primarily financed through government aid based on long-term contracts with state and local authorities. A smaller part of the expenditures are covered by charges paid by clients and by service fees from contracts concluded with local municipalities. Félúton Alapítvány’s approach is an adaptation of the Minnesota Rehabilitation model, and focuses on overcoming the rigid healthcare and social systems of Central and Eastern Europe. Services are provided in Budapest and in several other cities across the country. There are plans to expand elsewhere in the region. The Entrepreneur Csaba Kovács started Félúton Alapítvány in 1993 shortly after recovering from his own addiction. Many of the foundation’s activities are based on his recovery process experience. Csaba considers the government and the municipalities as business partners and its patients as clients. His business-oriented approach strongly contributed to Félúton Alapítvány’s success and sustainability.
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