We Are Able to Work 2020 - Able ‘20

Able ’20 is an international project which supports the introduction, implementation and promotion of innovative and qualitative elements in non-formal education and youth work, while bringing together the target group of young people with disabilities with the field of employment through self-promotion in partner countries Greece, Italy, Spain, and Lithuania.

Able ’20

We Are Able to Work 2020

Introduction

People with disabilities have strong resources that are often unknown or not properly appreciated by the other people. As a result, they are considered individuals which are not able to work and be included in the job market.

Main principles of the project

Involvement of the target group

The fundamental innovative aspect of Able ’20 is based on the involvement of the target groups during all the stages of implementation of the project activities. During the implementation of all the activities of the project the relationship trainer/trainee will be organized in a way that will allow people with disabilities to participate in the project, to express their point of view, to contribute to a general learning environment, and to be active rather than passive participants.

Reverse of the top-down approach

Moreover Able ’20 wants to reverse the prejudice that people with disabilities are not capable to work and don’t have the skills to contribute to the field of employment in favor of a bilateral exchange of information, skills and competences. It means that during the implementation of all the project activities, people with disability will not be only recipients of information, but will be proactive and free to express their opinion and to give their suggestions.

Objectives

Promote young people’s active citizenship in general and their European citizenship in particular by promoting the involvement of young people with fewer opportunities, namely youth with disabilities, in core EU policy making and implementation.
Improve the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of civil society organisations in the youth field.
Bring together people with disabilities with the field of employment and promotion in partner countries.
Have a feedback about Europe 2020 Strategy from the target group that is directly concerned by the strategy, but it is very often not a decision maker about it.

Activities

Info sessions on the Europe 2020 strategy, that will be implemented, using the method of the forum theatre (beginning of July – October)
15 psychometric tests
Workshop on personal branding and self-promotion through social media and on the creation of a video curriculum (July – October 2013)
Creation of 16 video curricula (15 personal for each participant and 1 for a CSO that work in the field of disability) (October 2013 – January 2014)
Campaigning day on the skills of youngsters with disabilities in employment and in productivity (February 2014)
Media campaign to promote the project and its principles
International exchange in Thessaloniki, Greece (March – April 2014)
Final international conference in Thessaloniki, Greece (March – April 2014)

Results to be achieved

More awareness among the target group on Europe 2020 strategy.
Assessment of the strengths of participants.
Enhancement of the participants’ skills on self promotion and personal branding.
Enhancement of participants’ freedom of mobility as European citizen.

Target groups

Direct target group

18-30 young people with various kinds of mental and physical disabilities
youth associations and CSOs that daily work with young people with disabilities

Indirect target group

employers and companies interested on having people with disability in their staff
families and friends of the people participating in the project
local and regional authorities, and NGOs and CSOs at local and regional level

Duration

From February 1st 2013 to April 31st 2014.

Partners

ANTIGONE – Information and Documentation Centre on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non-Violence (Greece) – Coordinator

FGB – Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini (Italy)

COGAMI – Galician Confederation of People with Disabilities (Spain)

VRC – Valakupiai Rehabilitation Centre (Lithuania)

Funding body

Youth in Action programme of the European Commission (EACEA – Education, Audio-visual and Culture Executive Agency)

Contact for further information:

ANTIGONE – Information and Documentation Centre on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non-Violence

Ptolemaion 29A 6th floor, 54630 Thessaloniki, Greece