"<< Background >>Our proposal is based on EMPUBLIC project, which was co-financed by E+ programme. In EMPUBLIC project we have found out, that counsellors, working in employment offices, vocational and training organizations, NGOs, municipalities and other organizations, dealing with working and social integration, have a lack of competencies for working integration of difficult-to-employ people (DTE). Lack of knowledge was noticed mainly in the area of methods for counselling of DTE and employers at placing of DTE in the working process. It is enhanced the importance of an individual, multi-dimensional and tailor-made job coaching, that takes care of the Person and all his aspects. Besides, it is needed additional knowledge on methods for promoting the possible working insertion of DTE in “profit enterprises”.Among DTE our partnership identified long-term unemployed – older unemployed, low-educated workers and young people without working experiences. The COVID-19 crisis also had a negative impact on the labour market situation of DTE (Commission recommendation 2021/402).Recently, the structure of competencies required by employers from job seekers has changed significantly. They emphasize the ability to cooperate, reliability, diligence and a positive attitude (https://www.mojedelo.com/karierni-nasveti/kaj-zelijo-delodajalci-3473). From young people, employers especially request:•Fast learning,•Working habits,•Enthusiasm.This, in turn, requires changes in counselling methods and additional knowledge and working methods from the above-mentioned consultants. Also, in this case, multi-dimensional and tailor-made job coaching is needed. In EMPUBLIC project we have also found out that collaboration and exchange of information among different organisations is weak: only in Italy and Spain, we have noticed, that there are some cases of good cooperation between different organisations in the area of the working integration process of DTE; but too often public and private services do not communicate sufficiently, and the network of services provided is fragmented. The beneficiaries are confused and feel lost in a world of bureaucracy. Based on these findings, we have identified also needs for:-Better exchange of knowledge among counsellors for DTE. -Coordinator, who will coordinate activities of the community for the employment of DTE.Before project preparation, the partnership found out, that in the participating countries there are NO OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED PROGRAMMES for counselling of DTE.According to the context, presented above, the target groups of the project are:-Counsellors, lecturers/trainers and mentors, working in employment offices, NGOs, VET organizations and other organizations, working with DTE. -Decision-makers, employed at the above-mentioned organizations.-Regional and national politicians, which can support different actions and measures for the employment of DTE.-Participants with fewer opportunities – difficult-to-employ persons. In the project, activities will be directly involved app 190 participants and indirectly app. 750 participants.<< Objectives >>With respect to the described needs we have set the following project objectives: 1)To empower counsellors in employment offices, vocational and training organizations, NGOs and local communities for better use of methods and approaches for working integration of DTE. 2)To promote the exchange of experiences and good practises among counsellors, coming from different organizations in the area of working and social integration of DTE. 3)To empower a “community coordinator” to coordinate community activities for social and working integration of DTE. 4)To improve collaboration and networking among different organizations in the process of working and social integration of DTE.5)To prepare a programme for the integration of prepared training programs and methodology into the curriculum of VET and other organizations operating in the area of working and social integration of DTE.6)To prepare methodologies for the identification and certification of informally acquired knowledge for new professional profile – “Counsellor for DTE”. Aim: to standardize education and training contents and methods for the “counsellor for DTE"" and to increase accessibility to standardized programmes for this profile.<< Implementation >>To address the above-described goals, in the COM-IN project, we have foreseen the development of the following projects’ results:a)Competence model for difficult-to-employ people - DTE (R1). Aim: to identify counsellors’ competences for successful working integration of DTE.b)Training programme for the counsellor for difficult-to-employ people (R2). Aim: to prepare a training programme for the empowerment of counsellors for better use of methods and approaches for working integration of DTEa)Competence model for the community coordinator for DTE (R3). Aim: to identify competences of decision-makers for coordinating community activities for better social and working integration of DTE. b)Training programme for the community coordinator for DTE (R4). Aim: to prepare a training programme for the empowerment of “community coordinator” to coordinate community activities for social and working integration of DTE.c)Programme for integration of prepared training programs into the curriculum of VET and other organizations, operating in the area of working and social integration of DTE (R5): to foresee steps for the use of prepared programmes within organizations, which are dealing with working integration of DTE.d)Certification programme proposal for ""counsellor for DTE"" (R6). Aim: to standardize the informally acquired knowledge and competences of counsellors for DTE. We will implement two “Learning /Teaching/Training short-term joint staff training events:-On the 1st event we will train counsellors, teachers and trainers, which will be included in the project. Aim: to train them for using the »Training programme for counsellor for DTE”. -On the 2nd event we will train decision-makers, which are employed in partners’ organizations. Aim: to train them for using the “Training programme for the community coordinator for DTE”. After each LTT event we will organize short trainings for EXTERNAL TRAINEES in each country: a)On the 1st short training we will train counsellors in employment offices, vocational and training organizations, NGOs and local communities. Aims:-To empower “external” counsellors and trainers, which are employed in other organizations, for using the »Training programme for counsellor for DTE”.-To actually establish the network for the transfer and exchange of knowledge among counsellors and trainers, coming from organizations in the area of working integration of DTE in each participating area and transnational network.b)On the 2nd short training we will train external decision-makers in employment offices, vocational and training organizations, NGOs and local communities. Aims:-To empower “external” decision-makers, which are employed in other organizations, for using the “Training programme for the community coordinator”.-To actually establish a territorial network for the promotion of employment of DTE in each country. In order to evaluate project methodology, we will carry out pilot training of end-users (difficult-to-employ persons), using R2 and R4 training programmes. In each project region, 5 participants will be trained.We will implement also 5 SC-PMT meetings in different countries in order to facilitate the successful implementation of the project. To promote further use and dissemination of project’ results, we will organize Multiplier Event in Brussels.We have foreseen a variety of activities for sharing, promotion and use of the project's results to different audiences inside and outside partnership: meetings with target groups, press conferences, social networks, web pages, (trans)sectorial networks, EU Dissemination Platform, EPALE…).We have foreseen also a variety of activities for strengthening the project sustainability (i.e. training of counsellors and decision-makers, trainings of end-users, networks maintenance…).<< Results >>Key results that will be prepared during the project and on its completion:a)Competence model for ""counsellor for DTE”.b)Training programme for ""counsellor for difficult-to-employ people"".c)4 networks for the transfer and exchange of knowledge in the area of working and social integration of DTE established.d)Competence model for “community coordinator for DTE”.e)Training programme for “community coordinator for difficult-to-employ people”.f)3 territorial networks for promotion of employment of DTE established.g)Programme for integration of prepared programs and methodology into curriculum of VET and other organizations.h)6 Certification programme proposal for ""counsellor for DTE"" prepared by the partnership.Expected impacts and benefits in the next 5 years after the project end:-120 empowered counsellors, mentors and trainers operating in the area of working and social integration of DTE for better working integration of DTE.-60 empowered decision-makers employed in organizations operating in the area of working and social integration of DTE for better collaboration among these organizations. -1 international network (of 150 members) and 3 national networks (each of 30 members) for transfer and exchange of knowledge among counsellors established.-3 territorial networks for promotion of employment of DTE established, each of 15 organizations.-Number of programme proposals for certification “Counsellor for DTE” accepted by authorized national points: at least 3 in all participating countries.In order to reinforce the achievement of described impacts, we have anticipated which activities each partner should carry out after the completion of the project. In long term, we want to improve process of working and social integration of DTE in order that DTE will have more efficient assistance at their disposal, which should result in better integration."