The project had two broader objectives: 1. To provide vocational students at Astangu Centre with the opportunity to participate in international mobilities, in order to contribute to their successful transition to the labor market, as well as their personal development, by enhancing vocational and social skills through living and working in a foreign environment. 2. To develop staff competencies through international experience and gaining knowledge of new practical methodologies and approaches at various vocational and rehabilitation institutions across Europe. This aims to empower staff to contribute to the development of the field, motivating them to support students' self-awareness, motivation, communication skills, and setting of personal goals. The project aimed to gather input for the development of Astangu VRC services in five thematic areas aligned with the center's strategic goals: a) Reducing and preventing dropout in vocational studies; b) Supporting students during studies and in transitioning to the labor market; c) Quality processes, analysis of data and feedback, and development planning; d) Environmental sustainability; e) Flexible implementation of curricula and customization of individual learning paths.
Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre aims to provide studying opportunities, rehabilitation services, and support in reaching employment to working-age people with disabilities and support needs, fostering independence and social inclusion. As a unique institution in Estonia, Astangu VRC serves as a competency center in the field of vocational rehabilitation, developing methodologies and curricula, and providing training to vocational schools. Therefore, continuous improvement of services and staff competencies is a priority. Erasmus+ mobilities facilitate gathering of best practices, the establishment of valuable partnership relations for development activities, and the broadening of staff's professional knowledge. The Erasmus+ program also enables Astangu VRC to provide international vocational and social learning experiences for vocational students. Student mobilities enhance the independent living skills of students, while they are being supported during the mobility in the format developed at Astangu over many years of mobility experience. Erasmus+ contributes significantly to the developmental processes of Astangu VRC and expands professional and societal possibilities for the target group with fewer opportunities.