Mutual Aid House

The Mutual Aid House (CAR) is a type of non-bank financial institution (NBFI) without patrimonial
purpose, organized to support and financially help associate members[1].
Worldwide, there is the World Council of Mutual Aid Houses (WOCCU), and the United Nations has
designated 2012 as the International Year of CHARDs[2]. There are 54,000 mutual aid houses
worldwide in 97 countries serving 186 million people[2].

CAR's in Romania[edit | Ancestry[edit]

In Romania, the Mutual Aid Houses operate on the basis of two distinct laws, one for employees and
another for pensioners, namely Law 122/1996 on the legal regime of employees' mutual aid houses
and their unions, republished in the Official Gazette 261 of 22.04.2009, and Law no. 540/2002 on the
mutual aid funds of pensioners.
Mutual aid funds for employees[amendment | Ancestry[edit]
Mutual aid houses of employees (CARs) operate on the basis of GEO 26/2000 on associations and
foundations, but also on the basis of a special normative act, Law 122/1996 on the legal regime of
mutual aid funds for employees and their unions.
According to the law, the mutual aid houses of the employees are associations without patrimonial
purpose, organized on the basis of the free consent of the employees, in order to support and help
their members.
The object of activity of the EMPLOYEES' CAR is the granting of low-interest loans to their members.
The mutual aid houses of the employees are obliged to present annually the financial statements to
the county territorial unions, the National Union, as well as to the general directorates of the county
public finances and of the Municipality of Bucharest.
The National Union of Mutual Aid Houses of employees in Romania (U.N.C.A.R.s.R.) is the
authorized national organization, responsible for maintaining and developing the solid and safe
system of the mutual aid houses of the employees. U.N.C.A.R.s.R. has 39 territorial unions affiliated,
which include 2,377 mutual aid houses of employees – non-banking financial institutions.
According to the Register of non-banking financial institutions of the National Bank of Romania on
16.05.2019, there were 2,587 mutual aid houses active in Romania as non-banking financial
institutions (the list also includes the Pensioners' Mutual Aid Houses).
As an international representation, only the Federation of Mutual Aid Houses in Romania (the
federation established in 2004, with 15 members on 31.12.2007) is a member of the World Council of
Credit Unions (WOCCU).
Mutual aid funds for pensioners and social workers
(CARP)[amendment | Ancestry[edit]
Mutual aid houses of pensioners and social assistants (CARP) represent a special category of non-
profit organizations that operate on the basis of GEO 26/2000 on associations and foundations, with
subsequent amendments, and a special normative act Law 540/2002 on mutual aid houses of
pensioners.
CARP are civic organizations, with the purpose of charity, mutual aid and social assistance. Their
main purpose is to provide repayable loans with modest interest rates and non-reimbursable grants.
CARP also provide various services to its members (discounted shops, cultural, tourist and leisure
activities, day care centers, social canteens, home care services, etc.). at reduced prices using the
work of retired members of the house, thus effectively contributing to active ageing and improving
access to services for disadvantaged categories.
The beneficiaries of the CARP are both retired persons, beneficiaries of social aid and members of
their families.
In September 2020, the number of members of the Mutual Aid Houses of Pensioners in Romania was
estimated by the National Federation of Mutual Aid Houses Omenia at "over 1,400,000 members".
The Omenia National Federation declares a territorial structure composed of 39 county branches and
126 CARP with legal personality.

Mutual Aid House

The Mutual Aid House (CAR) is a type of non-bank financial institution (NBFI) without patrimonial
purpose, organized to support and financially help associate members[1].
Worldwide, there is the World Council of Mutual Aid Houses (WOCCU), and the United Nations has
designated 2012 as the International Year of CHARDs[2]. There are 54,000 mutual aid houses
worldwide in 97 countries serving 186 million people[2].

CAR's in Romania[edit | Ancestry[edit]

In Romania, the Mutual Aid Houses operate on the basis of two distinct laws, one for employees and
another for pensioners, namely Law 122/1996 on the legal regime of employees' mutual aid houses
and their unions, republished in the Official Gazette 261 of 22.04.2009, and Law no. 540/2002 on the
mutual aid funds of pensioners.
Mutual aid funds for employees[amendment | Ancestry[edit]
Mutual aid houses of employees (CARs) operate on the basis of GEO 26/2000 on associations and
foundations, but also on the basis of a special normative act, Law 122/1996 on the legal regime of
mutual aid funds for employees and their unions.
According to the law, the mutual aid houses of the employees are associations without patrimonial
purpose, organized on the basis of the free consent of the employees, in order to support and help
their members.
The object of activity of the EMPLOYEES' CAR is the granting of low-interest loans to their members.
The mutual aid houses of the employees are obliged to present annually the financial statements to
the county territorial unions, the National Union, as well as to the general directorates of the county
public finances and of the Municipality of Bucharest.
The National Union of Mutual Aid Houses of employees in Romania (U.N.C.A.R.s.R.) is the
authorized national organization, responsible for maintaining and developing the solid and safe
system of the mutual aid houses of the employees. U.N.C.A.R.s.R. has 39 territorial unions affiliated,
which include 2,377 mutual aid houses of employees – non-banking financial institutions.
According to the Register of non-banking financial institutions of the National Bank of Romania on
16.05.2019, there were 2,587 mutual aid houses active in Romania as non-banking financial
institutions (the list also includes the Pensioners' Mutual Aid Houses).
As an international representation, only the Federation of Mutual Aid Houses in Romania (the
federation established in 2004, with 15 members on 31.12.2007) is a member of the World Council of
Credit Unions (WOCCU).
Mutual aid funds for pensioners and social workers
(CARP)[amendment | Ancestry[edit]
Mutual aid houses of pensioners and social assistants (CARP) represent a special category of non-
profit organizations that operate on the basis of GEO 26/2000 on associations and foundations, with
subsequent amendments, and a special normative act Law 540/2002 on mutual aid houses of
pensioners.
CARP are civic organizations, with the purpose of charity, mutual aid and social assistance. Their
main purpose is to provide repayable loans with modest interest rates and non-reimbursable grants.
CARP also provide various services to its members (discounted shops, cultural, tourist and leisure
activities, day care centers, social canteens, home care services, etc.). at reduced prices using the
work of retired members of the house, thus effectively contributing to active ageing and improving
access to services for disadvantaged categories.
The beneficiaries of the CARP are both retired persons, beneficiaries of social aid and members of
their families.
In September 2020, the number of members of the Mutual Aid Houses of Pensioners in Romania was
estimated by the National Federation of Mutual Aid Houses Omenia at "over 1,400,000 members".
The Omenia National Federation declares a territorial structure composed of 39 county branches and
126 CARP with legal personality.