Transnational Initiative "Enhancing Inclusion Through Guidance"
Author: Ramona Bacelj and Milena Mirić, Euroguidance centre Serbia
In 2024, Erasmus+ National Agencies from Serbia, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania and Austria, launched a transnational initiative called "Enhancing Inclusion Through Guidance." Within the framework of this three-year initiative, а series of transnational events will be organised. These events will raise awareness of career guidance as а mechanism for social inclusion and also support the competence development of career practitioners working in the education sector. Career guidance is a vital service for supporting the empowerment and social inclusion of students from vulnerable groups. The initiative helps career practitioners across Europe by offering them opportunities to connect and exchange good practices in developing CGC services and tools to support young people from vulnerable groups. Click here for more information about the initiative.
The first event: setting the scene
The first initiative event was held in November 2024 in Belgrade Serbia. The event was called "Improving social inclusion of students with disabilities and learning disabilities through career guidance services," and was a three-day event. Participants from ten European countries had the opportunity to connect and exchange good practices on enhancing the accessibility of CGC services, embracing a client-centered approach and exploring resources developed to support the labor market transition of young people with disabilities and learning difficulties. Participants also had the opportunity to hear more about “The Jobpics methodology”. The jobpics methodology is a picture-based career counselling tool that was presented by an organisation from Estonia. It helps individuals to better understand their professional interests and fields by exploring the diverse range of career options available and identifying their interests. The tool is suitable for all people, especially for those who are disadvantaged in the labour market (e.g. people with special needs, learning disabilities, no prior work experience or language barriers).
When it comes to the digital tools for CGC, participants were introduced to one career centre from Serbia called “Youth with Disabilities Forum”. Participants learned about the initiatives and programmes it offers to support young people with disabilities. They discovered how the career centre assists individuals in navigating their career paths, offering personalised guidance and counselling, psycho-social support, group workshops, internships and courses. Participants were also introduced to the employment portal which is a dedicated platform that connects jobseekers with disabilities to inclusive employers.
Click here for more information on the inspiring lecture and presented practices.
Forthcoming events in 2025
June – Tallinn, Estonia | Supporting students with special educational needs: more information.
November – Belgrade, Serbia | Developing CGC services to foster social inclusion of young people with diverse cultural backgrounds: more information.
