30.03.2023

PROJECT SUPPORTS ECONOMICALLY INACTIVE PERSONS IN THE LABOR MARKET

Project BG05SFPR002-1.001-0002 "Starting Work" - Component 1 "Activation", financed under the Program "Development of Human Resources" 2021-2027.

Summary

The aim of the project is to provide measures related to the labor market integration of inactive persons with an emphasis on disadvantaged persons.

The project is implemented until 31.12.2026.

The target group of the project are economically inactive persons between the ages of 16 and 65 who are not insured under Art. 4 and 4a and are not insurers under Art. 5 of the Social Security Code, are not registered as jobseekers under the Employment Promotion Act and are not in formal education or training. Up to 4 weeks before being included in the project, the individuals should meet the same requirements and conditions specified in the definition of "inactive". According to the age distinction of Priorities 1 and 3 of the Program "Development of Human Resources" 2021 - 2027, under Priority 1 eligible inactive persons who are over 29 years old, while under Priority 3 eligible inactive persons who are aged up to 29 years incl. The age of the participants is calculated from the date of birth and is determined from the date of inclusion in project activities.

The indicators of the project are 56 thousand inactive persons, of which 28 thousand will be activated and, upon leaving the operation, will have started looking for work.

The project activities are:

1. Application of innovative approaches and activities to identify, inform and motivate economically inactive persons for active behavior on the labor market - Within the activity, activators will be appointed who will establish contact with the inactive persons. The activity will be assisted by employees of the Employment Agency, included in the staff schedule. It is planned to update the existing methods for identifying and activating inactive persons.
2. Training of "activators" from the local communities, preparation for work with the target group - The purpose of this activity is to reach inactive persons through activators from the local communities, as well as through the employees of the Employment Agency, performing activities under the project. The trainings will be tailored to the specifics of the various groups of inactive persons - non-working, non-learning young people; persons from ethnic minorities; caregivers; older persons of working age (55 - 65 years), etc. After the training, supervision will take place, which will be piloted through the current project. Supervision is an innovative method for the Employment Agency to monitor results, motivate and set goals in the process of implementing activities
3. Organizing events, campaigns, including on social networks - The goal is to reach a larger number of the inactive population in the country, including the youth. The purpose of these events and campaigns is to present opportunities that inactive individuals can take advantage of to be active in their fulfillment. During the events and campaigns present, the Employment Agency will set aside places where individuals will have the opportunity to further familiarize themselves with the services provided by the Agency, the opportunities for inclusion in training and/or employment, as well as to register together with employees of Employment Agency.
4. Formation of mobile teams with the aim of informing, activating and establishing connections with inactive persons - The purpose of the activity is to ensure reaching inactive persons through mobile teams that will visit remote from the territorial divisions of the Employment Agency and hard-to-reach settlements and neighborhoods in order to reach the maximum number of inactive persons. This will allow persons who do not have the opportunity to go to the territorial branches of the Employment Agency, to be registered as unemployed and have a subsequent opportunity to benefit from the Agency's services.
5. Approving services for complex support - creation of centers/clubs for activation - Within the framework of the activity, it is planned to create centers/clubs for activation, which will be located outside the territorial structures of the Employment Agency, but will be administratively and information related to them. In the newly created centers/clubs, inactive persons will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the full range of services offered by the Employment Agency. It is also assumed that the employees in the centers/clubs motivate the persons for active behavior in the labor market by registering at the labor office and using services for integration into employment, information, counseling, group events, referral to vacant jobs, trainings, validation of professional skills and qualifications. It is planned to organize events and campaigns in the created centers and clubs with the aim of reaching a larger number of persons from the target group and with the aim of avoiding the institutional appearance of the services offered by the Employment Agency.
6. Conducting "Job Search Workshops" - Conducting Job Search Workshops, through which inactive persons activated by the project will be offered the opportunity to self-assess their personal qualities and improve their job search skills and successful presentation to employers. During the Job Search Workshop, individual profiling of inactive persons' capabilities will be carried out for the purpose of professional orientation and/or referral to suitable jobs, incl. on employment and/or training measures/programs. Under the project, individuals will be employed as moderator-studio, who will monitor, guide and support each participant individually and as a group.
7. Organization of job fairs - Within the framework of the activity, job fairs will be organized to promote the activity of the representatives of the target group. It will support the employment of inactive persons, facilitate their access to information about job vacancies and ensure direct contact and the possibility to negotiate with employers.
8. Referral to appropriate training measures, education/validation, employment tailored to the individual profile of the persons - The employment agencies of the Employment Agency will refer the persons from the target group to vacancies through subsidized employment or job positions on the primary market of work, towards validation, subsequent training for the acquisition of a professional qualification and/or for the acquisition of key competences.