Loading
In the current European context, poverty and debt are growing problems, the labour market changes dramatically, and social exclusion is on the rise. Vulnerable groups (e.g. migrants/newcomers, low income or poor unemployed, people with unstable jobs and microentrepreneurs) need specific skills to deal with these current challenges. The LETS SAVEE project aims at developing an innovative methodology for a hands-on-experience training opportunity for adults from these vulnerable groups to develop these skills. Immigrants and low-income groups are often isolated and lack the support network to help them strive in new live contexts. Through this project individuals are empowered to take charge of their own situation and have access to support networks that share struggles and challenges.This innovative skills development methodology is based on participation in savings groups that provide hands on experience in financial literacy and team work skills. The beneficiaries learn basic financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills; the curriculum includes savings strategies, how to use loans, debt prevention, budget management, financial planning. Moreover, beneficiaries improve their capacity of team working, self-management, and taking responsibilities. The project will form the basis for scale up this methodology when the training curricula are developed and tested.The 7 project partners will use LETS SAVEE as a learning platform to develop and test innovative training curricula. They will do it by sharing their unique experience and expertise: ACAF from Spain, Labins from Italy, SavingBuddies from Germany and Cash2Grow from the Netherlands have experience in promoting savings groups with different target groups: migrants and newcomers, low income or poor unemployed, people with unstable jobs and microentrepreneurs. Servei Solidari from Spain brings in experience in entrepreneurship education while Microfinance Center (MFC) brings in financial literacy training, and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) has expertise in action research and impact evaluation.The project activities consist of several intellectual outputs (O): feasibility study (O1), savings group methodology and training curricula (O2), video production (O3), case studies (O4) and lessons learned report (O5).The feasibility study (O1) is a first core project activity. The partners will identify new partnerships for scaling up of the new curriculum, as well as identify issues that might need advocacy actions. Based on this feasibility study, the partners will develop the other intellectual outputs. A saving groups methodology and training curricula (O2) will be developed and tested by the partners, incorporating the financial literacy training and entrepreneurship education through just-in-time teaching.Video tutorials (O3) are produced to support interested organizations and individuals to take up the saving groups methodology and apply it within their work (scale up and outreach).Case studies (O4) of the partners experienced in saving groups promotion are developed to collect and store the pilot experiences. These case studies will support the partner organisations to improve their approaches. Moreover, they will inspire other organisations to implement this approach in their working context.Finally, the lessons learnt report (O5) documents the organisational learning and impact of the saving groups methodology and training curricula on the target groups.To carry out the project, the partners will organize four learning events for their staff, at European level. The learning events will cover the following: Entrepreneurship and Employability; Financial literacy; Integration of refugees; Savings groups outreach strategy. At national level, the project partners will organize different multiplier events. These events are meant to disseminate project learning to stakeholders at national levels. Each project partners adapts the multiplier event to the specific needs of the local context. The primary result of the project is the innovative financial literacy training and entrepreneurial education approach and materials used by the partner organisations. This is accompanied by improved outreach strategies and fruitful and effective networking at local, national and European level. At the target group level, participation in savings groups - used as platform for financial literacy training and entrepreneurial education - improves financial household management, entrepreneurship skills and increases employability. This will be achieved by improved financial literacy skills, such as a better overview on household- and business finances and responsible spending; improved financial behavior, such as skills to avoid or overcome financial difficulties; more self-confidence through self-management of the savings group, taking responsibility and teamwork; and a supportive social network.
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
document.write('<div id="oa_widget"></div>');
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.openaire.eu/index.php?option=com_openaire&view=widget&format=raw&projectId=erasmusplus_::75ee7ccdfcfb9cb7ebb22b39f5b2a560&type=result"></script>');
-->
</script>