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About the Project

Rationale

The ‘European Pillar of Social Rights’ (2017) supports ‘the right to quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning to maintain and acquire skills that enable [everyone] to participate fully in society and manage successfully transitions in the labour market’, as well as the right of people with disabilities to have access to ‘… services that enable them to participate in the labour market and society, and a work environment adapted to their needs’. The European Parliament (2020) indicates that around 1 out of 6 people aged 15 and over has some disability and generally, disability proportion constitutes 25% of the entire EU population. Nevertheless, only 50.6 % of persons with disabilities are employed, compared to 74.8 % of persons without disabilities. Notwithstanding, women with disabilities, young disabled people and people with high support needs are more likely to be excluded from the labour market. A large portion of employed people with disabilities have a temporary job. As the EU on the Disability statistics notes, the main reason that prevents people with disabilities from seeking employment is the lack of education and training.

The Youth Strategy 2019-2027 emphasises that ‘Special attention should be given to youth risking marginalization based on potential sources of discrimination, such as disability. Training on employability skills can have major benefits as it will impact on the personal level such as: Increase of self-confidence through skills’ acquisitions, Development of goals and ambitions and Inclusion as well as on the professional level as it will increase the opportunities offered and develop their career prospects.

Project Aims

  1. To promote the acquisition of employability and job-specific skills of disabled/disadvantaged youth and their integration into the labour market especially in the sectors of bakery, hospitality and gardening.
  2. To upgrade quality and digital innovation of Youth Work through the introduction of  emerging technologies.
  3. To engage, connect and empower Youth Workers, disabled/disadvantaged youth and labour market representatives to ensure an inclusive and sustainable working environment.
  4. To promote transnational, national and regional collaboration, networking and exchange of good practices.

Target Groups

  1. DISADVANTAGED/DISABLED YOUNG PEOPLE, aged 18-30 yrs old, including youth with intellectual/mental disabilities high-functioning such as ASD, ADHD, down syndrome etc., as well as low-skilled from marginalized groups (with low socioeconomic backgrounds, living in rural areas, migrants, refugees, NEETS etc.)
  2. YOUTH WORKERS, trainers, experts on special needs working with young people with disabilities and young marginalized people with low skills who promote their skill acquisition and employability
  3. LABOUR MARKET REPRESENTATIVES consultant companies, SMEs, businesses, in the circular economy sector green etc.
  4. Parents association of Disabled People, NGOs, training centers, community, policy-makers, public authorities etc.