Young persons with disabilities in Greece have some of the lowest participation rates in higher and tertiary education in the EU, leaving many without basic skills for employment. Working with support from the European Social Fund (ESF), the National Confederation of People with Disabilities (ESAMEA) is helping to change this trend by creating pathways to employment for young persons with disabilities not engaged in education, employment, and training (NEETs with disabilities). 

Evaggelos, who has cerebral palsy, is among three thousand 18–29-year-olds with disabilities or chronic diseases who wish to benefit from the ‘Special Employment Integration’ project.  The project provides subsidised career advice, theoretical training, traineeships and skills certification throughout Greece. 

‘I want to participate in this programme,’ he explains, ‘because it will help me to learn more, improve my skills, and find a job that suits me. Also, I hope the programme will help me to meet my classmates again and make new friends.’ 

The training on offer from the project includes specialised programmes to help NEETs with disabilities acquire many of the basic competencies needed in a variety of working environments, as well as compulsory computer skills training. There is coaching on interpersonal skills as well, helping young people get ready for job interviews and working life. 

The project covers support from a specialist jobs counsellor, who helps NEETs with disabilities apply for an internship at a public or private sector organisation. Each internship lasts 200 working hours and the young people receive a training allowance. The jobs counsellor stays in contact with participants throughout their traineeship, giving each trainee the best chance at success. 

Crucially, the participants can continue to receive disability-related welfare benefits, removing a possible disincentive to access the opportunities available to them.  

With support from ESF, the project aims to significantly improve participation rates in education, training and in the workplace by persons with disabilities.