The SKILLS4LIFE project aimed to empower young adults transitioning from alternative care settings by equipping them with essential life skills to achieve independence and successful social integration. Our objectives were to enhance employability, autonomy, and social inclusion for care leavers by developing innovative tools such as the SKILLS4LIFE Serious Game and a comprehensive training program. We also sought to support adult educators and social workers by providing resources like a Handbook for Transition to Autonomy Programmes and a digital platform to enhance their practices. Through community engagement, outreach activities, and policy recommendations, we aimed to raise awareness and build capacity across various sectors. The project ultimately intended to create sustainable frameworks for improving the quality of support provided to care leavers across Europe, fostering their transition into active, independent lives.
We applied for the SKILLS4LIFE project to address the urgent needs of young adults transitioning out of alternative care settings, a group often at risk of social exclusion and economic disadvantage. Research highlights their lack of preparedness for adulthood, with abrupt transitions leaving them feeling isolated and unsupported. These young adults frequently face challenges such as unemployment, inadequate education, and limited access to skills training or social protection. The project specifically targets these needs by providing innovative tools and support systems, including gamification, training programs, and a handbook, to enhance their life skills and independence. It also aims to equip adult educators, social workers, and community educators with resources to better support this demographic. By fostering employability, autonomy, and inclusion, SKILLS4LIFE addresses both immediate and long-term societal needs, ensuring care leavers are empowered to thrive as active, self-reliant adults.