The member organisations of SAMARITAN INTERNATIONAL are a part of the organisation forms of the third sector. Its variety is based on the traditions and structures, which developed throughout history in the European member states in the fields of social welfare, culture, environment and sport. According to an international comparison in a study conducted by the John Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA, all those organisations can be included in the non-profit sector, which have a formal structure, are independent of the state in terms of organisation and are not oriented to making a profit and are managed independently. A distinction is to be made between two different forms of organisation and indeed on the one hand sub-units of organisations, which mainly perform social services and thus are a part of the social industry and on the other hand parts of organisations, which act as issue lawyers, pressure groups and lobbies for social questions.

"Between market and state" does not mean that non-government organisations and non-profit organisations principally act away from the market and free of the state. Rather, the third sector particularly assumes such tasks and responsibilities, which can neither be solved by the state nor the market alone. Activities "between market and state" are therefore mainly dependent on the mediation to public funds, public power and public opinion. The order of social welfare and definitely a social commitment for a welfare state with service of general interest make it necessary to have a critical and constructive influence on the administration of public funds and on the exercising of public power. This means in terms of political order the connection of the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity. "Solidarity" means here the willingness to make a common effort for others or for a community; "Subsidiarity" describes the priority of social proximity worthy of support.

The range of the forms of organisation in the wide scope of the third sector ranges from cooperatives and companies by mutual assistance through self-help initiatives, associations and federations to lobbies such as unions, handicapped organisations etc. The common feature is that they are non-profit making.

As organisations of the third sector between market and state they are oriented to common welfare and supported by people in the same situation or with the same opinions. They carry out work lobby work for a cause or for certain groups in society. They stand for self-help or mutual solidarity. The organisation principles of social self-organisation prove to be particularly suitable for the means of production of social services. They represent a significant, increasing potential for employment and thus also an important economic factor.

Today the third sector is becoming more interesting as a supporting pillar for the civil commitment in society. It is satisfactory to observe an increasing number of new activities of self-help groups, social actions and cultural initiatives. The effective active individualism is especially worth a mention compared with a process of individualisation which makes people more passive, which threatens to isolate and make more and more lonely. Compared with these social weakness the active fields of free engagement signify an effective counter-power. However, it is becoming more and more difficult to win wide circles for self-organised engagement.

The importance of the "third sector" self-organised engagement in its principle connection of "solidarity" and "subsidiarity" is today conscious again on the way to a social Europe: The term of "subsidiarity" has been declared a political core principle in the treaties of "Maastricht". However, the self-organisation of solidarity and engagement will still be contested for public European recognition. Thus, it is not disputed whether the social economic activities of the welfare organisations are to be left to the market mechanism or whether particularly acts of solidarity should not be promoted subsidiary and protected.