Description
This pilot project aims at promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities to the labour force through the establishment of a Social Cooperative Enterprise. Thus, it attempts to contribute to remedying discrimination and exclusion with which people with disabilities are faced, inter alia, in the labour market. The project starts with a business sustainability plan and includes the training of the enterprise members and actual cultivation and produce. Besides the Psychosocial Research Organization, 5 young people with disabilities, such as autism, and people without disabilities will be its founding members. Plots of land in the west of Athens allotted or to be allotted to the Psychosocial Research Organization will be cultivated as part of this project. In this initial period, its members, especially its members with disabilities, are expected to gradually acquire the skills that will eventually lead to income generation.
Summary of project results
In a Democratic society people with disabilities have the right to employment. This right is not sufficiently fulfilled in Greek society. The economic crisis has particularly exacerbated the problem. The vast majority of disabled people survive on benefits and are supported by their families. As an institution of education for adults with disabilities that face extreme difficulties with independent living and social inclusion, job integration and professional placement are inextricably linked to our goals. The aim of the project was the establishment of a social enterprise that would initially employ five young people with mental and psychological difficulties and would attempt to prepare the fore mentioned to join the enterprise and gain the necessary skills. It is all about an alternative form of employment that combines work, training and supervision of the beneficiaries. With the financial support of the EEA Grants we managed to fulfill the above. The Social Cooperative Enterprise for inclusion "O kipos tis elpidas" (translated: Garden of Hope) was founded in August of 2015 destined to fulfil the following purposes: 1) agricultural production, 2) formulation and garden care, 3) the processing of agricultural products, 4) developing a training program 5) manufacturing gift items, wedding and christening artifacts, 6) charitable care work - cleaning - planting public parks and creating vegetable gardens in the schools of our range of action. Sixty (60) personal and group sessions of psychological support were provided to the beneficiaries, a business plan was developed to ensure the viability of the company, and the minimum fixed equipment was purchased. The impact of the project was positive for all stakeholders: The target group, five (5) disabled adults became paid professional workers and fellow travelers with the aim to make the Social Cooperative Enterprise work, their families received financial and emotional support, escaping a disabled attitude towards life, and the local community through the project’s targeted promotional activities was informed on the importance of combating stigma and promoting equal opportunities.
Summary of bilateral results