Table 2 Human rights and extreme poverty Reference grid (part 1) Recommended reference texts 1 Guaranteed minimum income (Act) 2 Micro finance and banking procedures in place French, Portuguese, Yemeni Acts European Commission Com (1998) 527 final (and pilot legislation in Bulgaria) Civil and political rights (social dignity) Allows enjoyment of right to education, in particular by covering cost Right to housing Good example of French Act Provides basic income to meet cost of rent (Yemen, Bulgaria) 4 Social investment funds 5 Social welfare-employment link through occupational reintegration Bulgarian and Portuguese Acts Yemen Bulgaria Belgian and Portuguese Acts Bulgaria: local democracy essential in giving every citizen a say Yemen: participation important: NGOs can propose projects to the Fund Occupational reintegration is key to social dignity and helps escape from poverty and dependence (French, Belgian Acts) Portugal: local boards extremely important; receive government financial support Yemen: Fund plays important role; piloted by National Bank Training for recipients of guaranteed minimum income and obligation to place beneficiaries in employment programmes run by public authorities (France, Belgium) Portugal has National Fund for companies promoting reintegration Bulgaria: Welfare tied to housing unit Portugal: Financial support for local councils Yemen: Piloted by World Bank - well adapted Local authority role in reintegration in Portugal (local reintegration boards) E/CN.4/1999/48 page 25 Right to education 3 Local authorities with real power to help