ESF-SI-2023-SKILLS-01-0029
EDUCATE for INDEPENDENCE: A Holistic Approach to Fostering Autonomy and Life Skills for NEETs with intellectual impairment
Young people aged 15 to 29 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) with mild- medium intellectual impairment do not have access to labor market and to an independent and satisfying life due to obstacles such as the rigidity of programs designed for a generic “protected target group” and not always adaptable on individual needs. EDUCATE for INDEPENDENCE aims to test an innovative intervention which embrace three domains: outreach of the target group, defining of the learning model, skills validation and activation in the labor market. Intervention moves a step forward from the Local Educational Unit experience carried out by participant IL RAMO. Fundamental elements are: community involvement, social service and local authorities’ active participation, use of the public space and visibility, deconstruction of the caregiver/assisted person concept, relational assets’ enhancement.
Expected results:
- 250 NEETs aged 15-29 with mild-medium intellectual will be actively involved and empowered by partners increasing their awareness on opportunities and potential for their independence.
- 40 NEETs will have opportunities to train their life skills and be prepared to job in pilot and scaling up schemes.
- 80 people among Social workers, caregivers, local authorities, CSOs, youth organisations and 150 people among small and medium enterprises professional, HR responsible will change.
Funding: 364,692.00 Eur
Social innovation scale-up
The EDUCATE for INDEPENDENCE project scales social innovation across three interconnected areas to support NEETs with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities in Italy, Spain, Estonia, and Austria. Firstly, it scales the outreach of the target group by engaging key stakeholders and establishing sustainable referral procedures. Secondly, the project scales the defining of the learning model through the implementation of a Diffuse Learning Model with personalized pathways focused on developing various aspects of autonomy. Finally, it scales skills validation and activation in the labor market by utilizing individualized assessments and creating a practical toolkit to support these innovative approaches.