Single parents often face significant challenges balancing family responsibilities with employment, leading to long periods of unemployment. Extended periods of unemployment can result in a loss of skills, making it even harder to re-enter the job market.

Addressing barriers with the Lone Parents initiative

To tackle these issues, the Lone Parents initiative – funded by the European Employment and Social Innovation Programme (EaSI) – harnessed digital tools to help single parents find work. By providing essential support services in Ireland, Greece, and Finland, this project addressed common barriers such as access to childcare and employment opportunities.

A great example of social innovation, the initiative combined digital technology with personalised support from public and private bodies. It used profiling tools to assess participants' employability and offered digital training to help them improve essential skills.

One participant described the impact of the training: ‘The training brought faith, hope, and confidence that you don’t have to face challenges alone – even if you don’t have all the solutions yet. The coaching was humane and holistic, not pushy. I also gained many practical tools for my journey. Perhaps the best part was completing tasks that fostered self-knowledge and reflection, which continues to benefit me in my own time.’

Tailored support in action

In Ireland, for instance, the project supported 100-120 participants in partnership with the Department of Social Protection and One Family. Meanwhile, in Greece and Finland, single parents received tailored services such as legal assistance, training, and childcare support.

The project aimed to improve participants’ education, employability, and social inclusion. By offering training in digital skills and soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and self-confidence, the project helped single parents increase their employment prospects while reducing poverty and social exclusion.

A model for future initiatives

This collaboration between Ireland, Greece, and Finland serves as a model for similar initiatives across Europe. By addressing the specific needs of single parents through innovative and tailored approaches, this initiative demonstrates how targeted interventions can effectively improve employability, reduce poverty, and foster social inclusion.

The Lone Parents initiative highlights the potential of combining digital tools with personalised support, creating pathways to sustainable employment for vulnerable families. As Europe continues to seek solutions to labour market challenges, projects like this offer valuable lessons for future efforts aimed at supporting those most in need.