Description
The project aims to train an interracial group of 30 young institutionalized people in entrepreneurship and employability. It is the promoter’s experience that the transition from institutionalization in youth to full integration into the labour market and in society is not an easy process, and it almost never occurs at the age of 18. Activities to be carried out include the development of soft skills and the attainment of the skills required for starting self-employment business projects. These young people will thus be encouraged towards entrepreneurship, and helped to overcome the vulnerability factors which they are forced to face. The project will also include training for technicians and volunteers, the creation of a training manual for young entrepreneurs, and the strengthening of the bonds between businesses, schools and local communities involved.
Summary of project results
The target group is a multiracial group of 31 young people, average 18 year old, who inhabit the S.O.S. villages of Bicesse, Guarda and Gulpilhares and youth residences of Alcântara and Rio Maior. 21 are in high school, 4 attend courses of vocational training, 4 are university students and 2 attend technological courses. The institution accompanies the young person until his or her total emancipation, which almost never occurs at the age of 18. Institutionalisation is considered a vulnerability factor, it can create stigmas and dependence. The psychological profile emphasizes inability to dream, low self-esteem, mistrust, insecurity, victimization and postponed childhood. Sometimes they face xenophobia, racism and bullying. Technical diagnosis identified the need to stimulate them for entrepreneurship. At project completion 6 young people had been professionally integrated (i.e. found a job). 31 vulnerable people had been trained on employability (soft skills and social competences to work in an organisation) and 28 had successfully completed their training on entrepreneurship. 8 NGO staff and volunteers have been trained to become mentors (3 workshops organized for that purpose). In total 37 young people have participated in social inclusion actions. The project included 12 training activities (7 for SOS villages and 5 for youth residences groups), 9 visits to private companies, 19 meetings with local entrepreneurs. All young adults got internships to experience the real working life. A training manual has been produced. For the NGO this was a very important experience to complete autonomy of the institutionalized young people and create conditions for professional integration when they leave the villages and youth residences.
Summary of bilateral results