The main objectives of our project were to enhance the abilities of teachers and trainers working with adults with disabilities, fostering their capacity to integrate these individuals into the entrepreneurial sector. We aimed to close the opportunity gap and improve the competencies of educators, thereby ensuring they could provide knowledge that supports equal employment opportunities for disabled adults within the labor market. By achieving these goals, we intended to raise awareness about the potential and opportunities available for disabled individuals to succeed in self-employment and entrepreneurship. Through this initiative, we sought to make a tangible impact on the inclusion of disabled adults in business, enhancing their prospects for economic independence and success.
We applied for this project to address significant disparities in the labor market affecting the EU's disabled population. Notably, the 2021 report by the European Commission and OECD highlighted that 16% of the EU workforce has some form of disability, facing higher risks of unemployment and inactivity. Our project aimed to enhance the living standards and employment opportunities for disabled individuals interested in self-employment, thereby increasing their independence, motivation, and working conditions. We observed that despite some progress, disabled people still encounter numerous challenges, including insufficient support for education and integration into the labor market.Significant barriers include stereotypes and misperceptions about disabilities, inadequate business support services, and inaccessible training and work environments. These factors often exclude disabled individuals from fully participating in the business sector and exacerbate social and financial disparities. Thus, our project's primary goal was to eliminate these barriers by equipping disabled individuals with the necessary entrepreneurial skills and creating an inclusive environment that supports their professional and personal growth.