ESF-SI-2024-LTU-01-0054
Supported Employment for Reducing Long-Term Unemployment among Persons with Disabilities
Project summary The project addresses the persistent issue of long-term unemployment (LTU) among persons with disabilities (PwD) in the open labour market (OLM). PwD face significant employment barriers, with unemployment durations 40-50% longer than non-disabled individuals. The project aims to transform the situation by scaling up and transferring socially innovative Supported Employment (SE) practices across various EU regions, focusing on immediate job placement and ongoing support. These practices, proven effective in countries like Austria and Belgium, offer tailored solutions for PwD, including job coaching, employer training, and continuous support for retention on the labour market. It will build capacity to various stakeholders including employers, local authorities, employment agencies, and service providers for PwD to ensure long term employment to most vulnerable groups on the labour market. The project supports the European Disability Employment Package and the European Pillar of Social Rights by addressing gaps in employment services and employer engagement. Target groups include PwD in LTU, service providers for PwD, employers, employment agencies and local employment authorities. The project’s main objectives are gathering data on employment landscapes, reducing employment barriers through training, fostering partnerships among key local employment actors, sharing best practices & mutual learning. The long-term goal is to integrate SE into regional policies and establish sustainable employment solutions, benefitting both PwD and employers. The project’s innovative approach also promotes inclusivity in the workforce and ensures PwD have access to meaningful and sustained employment. Collaboration between stakeholders and continuous support will allow PwD to overcome employment challenges, fostering a more inclusive labour market. The project will measure success through increased employment rates of PwD and improved collaboration among service providers and employers.
Expected results:
- Employ 130 LTU persons with disabilities in the open labour market.
- Engage 160 employers in inclusive employment practices.
- Involve 160 employment agencies.
- Mobilise 120 service providers specialising in support for persons with disabilities.
Funding: 2,495,837.00 Eur
Social innovation scale-up
The Supported Employment (SE) model from Eastern Styria, Austria, along with the Change4Inclusion practice.