Adolescence confronts young people on their way to adulthood with a new momentous stage, that of their access to the labor market. In all cases, access to the world of employment provides them with new responsibilities as citizens, and at the same time provides them with economic autonomy to develop their life project.While entering the labor market is difficult for everyone, it is especially so in countries with the highest youth unemployment rates, and it is particularly complex and even an impossible mission for youth living in juvenile centers. These, upon reaching the age of majority, are generally forced to leave the reception center, unlike what happens with those who still live with their family. And in this situation, insertion in the labor market is even more complex for young people of migrant origin. These young migrants are cared for under international law by the Child and Adolescent Protection System. But when they reach the age of 18, they suddenly enter a situation of multiple obstacles to their integration, which can lead to their exclusion or expulsion.For this reason, the “The Day After” Project (DAF Project) seeks to develop a training model aimed at young people at risk of social exclusion between the ages of 16 and 18 - migrant people or disadvantaged natives - cared for in residential facilities or shelters for minors under the System for the Protection of Children and Adolescents in the participating European countries. The aim of this training model is to promote the acquisition of key competences to favor the transition from adolescence / youth to adulthood and facilitate access to the labor market.Summing up, the DAF Project aims to achieve real social and labor inclusion of young people who live in the Residential Care Institutions (RCI) with fewer opportunities and at risk of exclusion - of migrant origin or disadvantaged natives - to facilitate their transition to adulthood. Its objectives are:- Provide necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes, both personally and professionally, for accessing the labor market to young people living in RCI;- Establish a training curriculum and an internship itinerary including a specific module aimed at young migrants;- Improve socio-educational intervention with young people living in RCI through training workshops and internships in workplaces for their incorporation into the labor market.Thus, through the development and results of the project, youth employment will be fostered by establishing synergies between the professionals of the shelters for minors (eg directors, educators, integrators), social, educational organizations and the Public Administration involved in the care of minors in such facilities.After its completion the following results will be obtained:- A reference guide for the social and labor integration of young people living in Residential Care Institutions (RCI): it will include a reference framework on the situation of young people between 16 and 18 years old who reside in RCI in the participating countries, as well as the definition of personal and professional skills needed to promote their access to the labor market.- A training curriculum and internship itinerary in work centers -validated through a training pilot test- to promote the transition to adult life of young people served in RCI (with a modality especially aimed at migrant minors).- The development of training and practical workshops in work centers aiming for social and labor integration. A final report will be prepared on the implementation of the theoretical-practical workshops (pilot courses) in the four participating countries to validate the training program and the itinerary of practices.Our consortium is formed by: two NGOs in Spain, the Health and Community Foundation (FSC), as the organization that assumes the coordination, and the Lagunduz Association for Comprehensive Assistance (LAGUNDUZ), two entities that collaborate in different initiatives in the field of care of young people at risk of exclusion and socio-labor integration; an entity in Italy, Mondo Nuovo A.P.S. (MONDO), with extensive experience in managing training programs and protection resources for children, adolescents and their families; and Social Empowerment Hub (SEHUB) of Greece, a social organization with interdisciplinary experience in the field of youth and social sciences.

CONTEXT- The COVID crisis has not only caused a lot of economic damage but also a lot of mental harm that is not as visible. People face the risk of (further) marginalization and this is especially the case for young people. - We believe in deinstitutionalization. Such policies have been successful and recognised but we want to do more. We don't want to substitute the useful work done within psychiatric clinics but to support and reinforce these services with our own. Under the current strain which the healthcare system finds itself (due to the pandemic and the generalized economic difficulties) there is an urgent need for socially oriented organizations like ours to contribute according to their abilities.OBJECTIVES- To develop participants' skills related to the intersection between creativity and therapy so as to help and empower vulnerable people. We want to foster and spread the use of such innovative practices initially between our organizations through the exchange of good practices and then use them for the betterment of our communities. - To enhance the social and creative abilities and skills of vulnerable individuals so as to improve their socieconomic activity. We want to involve them in our innovative art therapy methodologies and make them active participants in creating a network of therapists, artists and socially disadvantaged people. - To employ digital tools to further facilitate and enhance the aforementioned practices so as to increase their reach and efficiency by creating an online media through which we can communicate our work.PARTICIPANTSWe include individuals that face difficulties in their everyday lives due to some sort of mental or emotional complication that is not too severe to necessitate their hospitalization or medical prescription. We focus on young people that we deem in danger of developing addictive behaviours due to their social marginalization. We also include our own personnel comprised of trainers, psychologists, social workers, artists, therapists, managers and administrators. Their number is expected to be around 150.ACTIVITIESOur activities maintain a combination of variety and consistency and they include the following.- Teaching and training activities, transfer of skills, exchange of good practices and updating to the current developments in the multidisciplinary field of art and therapy. The topics here range from gender empowerment and intercultural understanding to youth inclusion.- Activities designed exclusively for the involvement of vulnerable people such as art workshops and educational visits to affiliated stakeholders in our communities.- Digital tools and website development that reflect, incorporate and communicate the work done throughout the project. These are essentially our most ambitious activities, aimed at the production of the digital output of this project. METHODOLOGYOur planned project management activities are the following: partnership agreement, project management system, quality and ethics management, stakeholder analysis, activity and workstream management, integration management, financial management, administrative proceedings, and transnational and online meetings. The management structure follows a centralized form based on a management board which will be comprised by the project coordinator, the financial manager, the quality and ethics manager and the dissemination and communication manager, roles that are defined clearly . RESULTS- Development of skills and competences of the participants on how to better employ creative activities in a therapeutic context so as to achieve mitigation of mental health related symptoms and the promotion of social inclusion of individuals in vulnerable socioeconomic position. - Acceleration of the use of digital means to adapt to the way creative events are designed, managed, accessed, evaluated and consumed. Creation of a virtual hub of interaction between all interested parties that want to explore “the therapy of the future”. - Establishment of a network that will stimulate European cooperation through the furthering of intercultural engagement and understanding in the participants. - Launching of an online platform that will constitute essentially a digital social entrepreneurship initiative with the double aspects of international travel and inclusivity.IMPACT- Social inclusion and improvement of the participants' psychosocial skills and reinforcement of their autonomous processes for personal and social empowerment- Improved psychological health and higher levels of confidence from the skills acquired for all participants- Improved digital skills through their active participation in the launching of an online platform that will be effectively their first contract with a digital social entrepreneurship initiative- Improved interaction between our organizations and the wider public through considerable improvements in our advocacy capabilities

"Because of demographic developments of the aging population in almost all countries of the European Union, social and health structures are in an ongoing process of adapting adequate responses to this challenge. Dependency of psychoactive substances, however, still are associated with young people. Meanwhile, addiction is the 3rd frequent mental disease after depression and dementia e.g. in Germany (Kocs, 2007). A survey of the European Monitoring Centre of Drugs and Drug Addiction concludes: “It is evident that the total number and the proportion of older chronic, problematic drug users in Europe have increased significantly over the last decades. Older drug users are likely to suffer from the negative social consequences of decades of drug use. The available information suggests that specialised treatment and care programmes for older drug users are rare in Europe. Concerns have been voiced that current treatment and care services may be ill-equipped to respond adequately to the needs of older drug users and that certain specific services may be required (EMCDDA, 2010)."" A report of the Uniuversity of Applied Science, Frankfurt, states: “The increase of older drug addicts is increasingly important for assistance systems such as addiction and support services - staff of appropriate institutions notice the changes in the age structure of their clientele and face every day problems to refer older drug users to appropriate care and services.” The project 'Better Treatment for Aging Drug User' will build on the given evidence and knowledge base, collect data and will transfer the results into a practical learning curriculum for adult learners (for members of both drug and geriatric services) by linking research elements, education and capacity building and by contributing to a better policy / approach towards improved services for the aging population of drug users. It will provide adult trainers and organisations in the drug help system, in geriatric institutions and local governments with tools and models of good practice, which create adult learning opportunities for the establishment and improvement of services for aging drug user.The project has three overarching objectives and will carry out the following activities:1. Assessment of existing policies and services for aging drug users in Europe - Identify specific policies and methods targeting the needs of aging drug users; - Identify and collect best practice models for effective services for aging drug users (outpatient and inpatient); - Identify models of best practices for a good collaboration of drug and geriatric services. 2. Best Practices and training information development: - Develop a toolbox for service providers and local governments including guidance and support for the development and implementation of adult learning offers, targeting the establishment or improvement of services for aging drug users; - Develop a curriculum for adult learners, who are working with aging drug users. 3. Dissemination on national and European level: - Establish an online Resource Centre and dissemination platform; - Organise 5 national multiplier events to disseminate the activities and results of the project among relevant national stakeholders; - Organise a European summer school for adult learners, targeting the establishment or improvement of services for aging drug users.A well-balanced consortium of 7 main partners from 5 countries will address the subject with specific scientific, educational and practical experiences and backgrounds. In addition, 22 associated partners in partner countries, policy maker, educational institutions, social service provider and drug user representatives will be consulted and involved in the activities.As a result, the project will- strengthen local networking and cooperation in 5 European countries, by including social service providers, adult trainers, local governments and educational organisations, - provide local social service providers, adult trainers and local governments with tools, inclusive strategies and good practice examples to implement sustainable and effective interventions in the field of education and training, - provide higher educational institutions with research findings, tools and models of good practice, which will enable them to adapt their curricula for social workers and adult trainers accordingly.On long term, results of the project have the potential to- stimulate, boost and promote effective and inclusive strategies and adult learning opportunities in the field of education and training, - improve services targeted at aging drug user, - increase social inclusion and participation of aging drug user, - increase the number of marginalized groups in in education and training."

ContextA broad range of participatory interventions and prevention activities has been developed to prevent nuisance among youngsters. Interventions, targeting adults however, are limited and mainly based on repressive and sanctionary acts, including arrests, restraining orders and fines. Less is known about inclusive strategies and adult learning opportunities, which provide daily structure and support to this specific group. Experience shows that strategies tackling wider economic and social exclusion such as education, training and employment (ETE) can play a vital role in the (re)integration and recovery of homeless people and other marginalised groups (Busch-Geertsema, Edgar, O’Sullivan, & Pleace, 2010). While many efforts are being made to create equal opportunity for all, in reality, disadvantaged groups face unequal opportunities on all different levels and certainly have less access to work and educational opportunities (Nicaise & NESSE, 2010). Future interventions should therefore reduce these barriers and develop an integrated and more inclusive approach, which create opportunities instead of restrictions. Objectives: The main objective of the project was to provide adult learning providers, service providers and local governments with tools and models of good practice, which contribute to the social inclusion and participation of alcohol- and drug users and reduce at the same time alcohol- and drug related nuisance in the public space. The Street Support Project was built on the idea that each person has the potential to learn and to do something meaningful. Adult learning, education, work and other activities, supporting social inclusion and participation can play a vital role in this context., More specifically the project aimed to: * Promote Best Practices and information exchange: * Develop, implement and validate cost-effective and sustainable practices:* Disseminate information, knowledge and results of the project on European and national level:Participating Organisations: The project consortium consisted of 6 organisations: De Regenboog Groep – main applicant of this project – offers a broad range of services, such as day and night shelters, drug consumption rooms, adult learning opportunities and work integration programmes, by particular focusing on homeless people and drug- and alcohol users. The organisation coordinates as well Correlation – European Network Social Inclusion & Health, with more than 180 members within Europe (www.correlation-net.org). This networking function will help to disseminate project activities and results to a broad number of relevant stakeholders. FEANTSA (European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless) is a network organisation and centre of expertise in the field of homelessness. Based on their expertise, their research capacities and their European networking role, they can play a vital role in collecting data and information, linking to relevant organisations in the field and disseminating relevant information. In addition, 4 other organisation participated in the project, all of them working for homeless people, alcohol- and drug users and other marginalised groups. They explicitly were interested to develop and implement innovative and inclusive strategies: – Fixpunkt (Berlin, Germany),– Společnost Podané ruce o.p.s. - SPR (Brno, Czech Republic),– Comité Ciudadano Anti Sida de la Comunidad Valenciana – CCASCV (Valencia, Spain)– Cork Simon Community – CSC (Cork, Ireland)Activities of the project: The project consortium * Carried out a European-wide assessment in the field of homelessness and alcohol- and drug related nuisance * Compiled country reports in 5 European countries (Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Spain, Ireland) and one European Report, describing the situation in regard to homelessness and alcohol- and drug related nuisance * Developed a toolbox for service providers and local governments, including guidance and support for the development and implementation of inclusive interventions * Collected models of good practice within Europe to showcase effective inclusive strategies * Developed and implemented four local pilot interventions and validated them with the Self-Sufficiency Matrix (developed by the Municipal Health Service of Amsterdam and the City of Rotterdam) • Organised 4 national multiplier events to disseminate the activities and results of the project among relevant national stakeholders • Organised a European multiplier event to disseminate the outcomes of the project to a large number of European stakeholders and promote effective and inclusive strategies Results The project created impact and awareness at both the policy maker’s level and the service provider’s level. A broad range of stakeholders was informed about the activities and results of the project.

In general, in all the countries participating in the ALTERNATIVE project, namely BELGIUM, SPAIN, ITALY and FRANCE, the population over 60 will increase significantly by 2060. The increase in the aging population will inevitably create problems because it will be accompanied by an increase in the population of persons with disabilities. Hosting facilities are already not sufficient, so it is important to encourage the development of alternative support means, particularly foster care and family care.The function of foster family is really developed in France, where they are employed by the elderly and / or disabled. But even in this country, it is only recently (April 2017) that they are under the obligation of receiving an initial training defined by a decree that sets its content and modalities.Concerning family carers, which is found in each of the project countries, and which is the most widespread function, the existing training courses which are given at the initiative of some associations are only very rarely followed. Indeed, carers have difficulties to be available but also do not perceive the need to follow these courses.At the same time, mistreatment among older people and / or people with disabilities is becoming more common and is generally done by relatives, including caregivers and family carers. This comes in particular from the fact that they are not or poorly trained in the care of people with disabilities and / or aging. This can lead to very difficult situations, amplified by a context of strong isolation. The lack of a real training and therefore a detailed knowledge of the origin of disabilities and postures to adopt, can only generate fear, misunderstanding, therefore abuse and sometimes, all too often, violence. In all cases, there is suffering for both the people we welcome and the carers.This is why the ALTERNATIVE project has the following general objectives:- to enable caregivers and family carers to acquire a detailed knowledge of the different types of disability and pathologies related to aging.- to develop professional practices guaranteeing the well-being and respect of the accompanied persons.- to develop the skills of carers and hospices in order to improve their employability.- to professionalize the function of foster carers.The project has 2 Belgian partners, AViQ and SUSA, 2 Italian partners, CEIS and KOINÉ, 1 Spanish partner, FSyC, and 2 French partners, CEDIS and ADES. ADES, AViQ, SUSA and FSyC deliver training. ADES and AVIQ have in particular strong expertise in the field of engineering training in many professions related to social work. AViQ, FSyC and CEIS are field organizations that are already working on supporting elderly and / or disabled people. To this must be added CEDIS and KOINE, who have contacts with caregivers and family carers in various capacities, and were able to mobilize them to form valorization committees and to experiment with trainings.At the end of the project in October 2018, ALTERNATIVE's partners achieved all the operational objectives they had set - to develop a training path consisting of:- a professional reference system;- a reference system of skills;- a training repository.This training was the subject of an experiment conducted in each country with a test group made up of family carers and caregivers, and covered more than 30% of the total volume of the targeted training, which is 240 hours. The valorization of our project was based on national valorization committees, bringing together the partners of the country concerned, carers and family-friendly, as well as partner organizations and stakeholders of the family welcome. At the end of 2018, small seminars were organized in each country to disseminate the final results of ALTERNATIVE.