The issue of multiple discrimination is inherent in all EU countries. As such, it needs to be addressed at the local, regional, national, and European levels, and means of empowering vulnerable groups of women must be applied. By doing so, the struggles vulnerable groups of women go through become visible. Multiple discrimination makes full participation in our European society very challenging. Education is one of the ways we can improve the standards of living of these women in Europe.
The project “Let’s Make the Invisible Visible”, carried out by CRPE over the past three years, combines a set of methods and work practices, ranging from the exchange of information and European best practices to the testing and development of innovative approaches to working with vulnerable groups.
The handbook of innovative and personalized education and counselling methods, “Let’s Make the Invisible Visible – Working with Vulnerable Groups in Practice” is the result of the work of experts from six organizations in Central and Eastern Europe: CRPE (Romania), GIC NORA (Czech Republic), Peregrina (Austria), TRANSFER Slovensko, and MyMamy (Slovakia), Fundacja Kobieca (Poland).
HOW IT STARTED
Our project began with a common observation in several European countries, namely that formal education methods are insufficient to address the multiple discriminations that vulnerable groups, especially women, face in their daily lives. Instead, we need to employ means of empowering vulnerable groups. Thus, from 2020 to 2023, we analyzed participatory coaching methods and theatre techniques, which we have described in detail, and provided practical experience in testing these methods.
Our handbook is written in a practical manner, presenting various concrete methods and techniques that can be used in working with socially disadvantaged individuals. All these methods and techniques aim to empower socially disadvantaged groups, particularly women who are victims of multiple discrimination.
METHODS USED
Our methods go beyond traditional training courses: we have combined various non-formal activities and work practices to support target groups. We have used theatre techniques, various art-based methods, and organized counselling activities during cooking or physical activities, to name just a few, all tailored to the needs and specificities of each target group. As a result of participating in these methods and practice pilot activities, our participants have improved their communication skills and reflected on personal goals and the necessary steps to achieve them. In the case of disadvantaged communities, our project has helped them feel more integrated without the need to speak the same language or have a certain level of education.
WHO WE ARE ADDRESSING
The manual is primarily intended for career counsellors, social workers, and educators working with socially disadvantaged groups in the European Union. It also addresses anyone interested in this subject. In Romania, we have primarily targeted young people from disadvantaged groups, especially young Roma women. According to a 2021 Roma survey, 75% of Roma aged 18 to 24 in ten European countries have left the education or vocational training system early. There is also a significant difference between Roma men and women aged 20 to 64 who have declared their main activity as “paid work”: 23% of women compared to 59% of men.
The handbook “Let’s Make the Invisible Visible – Working with Vulnerable Groups in Practice” is available here.
“KALEIDOSCOPE OF COMPETENCIES” WEBINAR
In addition to the handbook, we have detailed the experience of piloting work methods through a webinar that illustrates the “Kaleidoscope of Competencies” method detailed in our handbook. This webinar aims to make young people’s competencies visible, accessible, and useful for career development. The webinar explains the usefulness of the method, its target audience, the advantages of its use, and the expected main results.
The webinar includes CRPE’s pilot experience with the “Kaleidoscope of Competencies” among a community of 17-year-olds in Dâmbovița County (Romania) and can be used as a support material for counselling and educating young people and adults.
The webinar can be viewed here.
A BEST PRACTICE MODEL
Last but not least, we have created a CV video that illustrates the inspirational story of one of the young women we worked with during the pilot phase of innovative methods and techniques.
The video can be watched here.
We wish you an inspiring read!
The project is co-financed by the European Commission, Erasmus+ Programme, Key Action 2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices