The authors hope this Guide responds to the needs of young adults who are interested in starting their own business, regardless of education or background. „Each person has unique challenges, and this Guide aims to address those challenges by providing information and practical tips for success. With the right tools and resources, vulnerable young adults too can become a successful entrepreneurs! There are many people and organisations willing to support them and promote their achievements.We hope this Guide will be a valuable tool to inspire, motivate and empower them to follow their entrepre ..read more

Daniela lives in a village in Giurgiu County, about 40 km from Bucharest. The young woman graduated a post-secondary health school. Initially, she looked for a job in the field. She worked with a polyclinic, in the administrative department, for short time, because polyclinic went bankrupt. After that, Daniela looked for a job, regardless of the field. In October last year, she contacted our team, via WhatsApp, following a recruitment announcement posted on an online platform. At that time, HAO looked for kitchen workers for a restaurant from Bucharest, part of Spartan – one of the largest fas ..read more

On the 28th of November, Olivia Grigore, labour market expert with HAO, participated in the “Game Fair in Romania” seminar organised by the Youth Equality Promotion Association (ADAPTO). The learning needs of specialists who work with people with disabilities, the services that people with disabilities can benefit from, and strengthening public-private collaboration were the main topics of discussion. Also, on this occasion, the organisers explained how the concept of “gamification” can be used by educators for adults. The seminar was a good opportunity for Olivia to identify new opportun ..read more

Teo is a 20-year-old young man, diagnosed with mental retardation. He has a disability certificate. The young man graduated a vocational school. In his free time, he plays on the computer, listens to rock music and goes skateboarding. He worked with an advertising production company, for a short time. Unfortunately, the employer did not adapt the workplace, because he didn’t know about Teo’s disability. As a result, the young man failed to perform his job duties and the employer gave up on him. The young man contacted our colleague, Olivia Grigore, from Services Centre for Supported Employment ..read more

The Guide is addressed to both young people from vulnerable groups, their parents and relatives. The authors wrote the Guide in an easy-to-read way and they used pictures to explain ideas. This Guide talks about how Supported Employment services can help the young adults: look for a job, volunteering, get work experience or enroll in school programs and/or other qualification training programs, and it points out some of advantages of the Supported Employment process. Our colleagues explain the particularities of the Supported Employment services and they give details regarding the stages of Su ..read more

The Guide is addressed to firms interested in ensuring an inclusive work environment. It was developed by the LEAD team in order to help companies integrate people from vulnerable social groups, including people with disabilities. The Guide contains useful information regarding: the role of a mentor in the workplace; the benefits of mentoring; mentor’s key qualities and skills; tips for mentors (inclusive welcoming techniques, communication techniques, sharing professional knowledge, problem-solving, conflict management, things that should be avoided). Last but not least, our colleagues o ..read more

Maria is a young woman from Brăila, diagnosed with mild retardation. She has disablement pension, but she can work part-time (4-hour work restriction). Maria was forced to leave her previous job following a sexual abuse. Later, due to the lack of money, she could no longer pay the rent, so his child was temporaly took over by the representatives of the Social Assistance Service. Maria contacted our team, via WhatsApp, following a recruitment announcement posted on an online platform. At that time, the young woman was in a degrading emotional state, with a low level of self-confidence, in her o ..read more

On the 26thof January, Health Action Overseas Romania Foundation organised in Constanta the closing conference of the transnational project “Labour market Employment for young Adults with a Disability – LEAD”, co-funded by the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. The attendence list of the event included: beneficiaries of the project; representatives of General Directorate for Social Assistance and Child Protection – Constanta, the Constanta County School Inspectorate, the School Center for Inclusive Education “Albatros”, and of other non-governmental organisations; public and priv ..read more

Health Action Overseas Foundation (HAO) organised personal development workshops at the headquarters of the Services Center for Supported Employment from Constanța. These workshops were named “This is how I am…How do you see me?”, and they were addressed to young adults from vulnerable groups, for example: young adults with disabilities, young adults no longer in the education system and who are not working or being trained for work, young Roma people. These workshops were facilitated by our colleague, Olivia Grigore. She worked alongside the young participants in order to stimulate their self ..read more

Looking at the situation and background of NEETs over 25 and addressing the various factors and vulnerabilities they face; it became clear that NEETs over 25 in particular often have lower incomes and a higher risk of poverty than their counterparts. Many faces financial problems, including significant debt, especially in the 25-29 age group. In addition, NEET rates tend to be significantly higher in rural areas where access to education, job opportunities, and infrastructure is limited. The prevalence of school dropouts in rural areas contributes to these high NEET rates. Health problems, bot ..read more