Santa Venera (Malta), 19–20 February 2025
The European project LEAD YOUR WAY, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme and coordinated by DOWN ESPAÑA, held its first transnational coordination meeting on 19–20 February 2025 at the headquarters of the Malta Association of Supported Employment (MASE), host of the event.
During this kick-off meeting, representatives from the five partner organisations —DOWN ESPAÑA (Spain), MASE (Malta), INCOTERA (Romania), AI4 (Greece), and the Croatian Down Syndrome Association (Croatia)— aligned their efforts to launch the project, which aims to foster the labour inclusion of people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities through digital tools and the supported employment model.
The main topics addressed during the meeting included:
- Planning of the European research on supported employment (WP2)
- Preliminary design of digital tools for persons with disabilities, professionals, and employers (WP3)
- Communication and dissemination strategy (WP5)
Key aspects such as project branding, website structure, and result timelines were also discussed. A preliminary version of the research plan was presented, which will include literature reviews, expert interviews, and surveys in at least 10 European countries.
In addition to the working sessions, the consortium visited the JobPlus headquarters in Malta, a public-private partnership aimed at improving employment services for people with disabilities. There, partners had the opportunity to learn about the services and programmes JobPlus offers to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labour market. The visit was an inspiring exchange of experiences and good practices that aligned perfectly with the goals of the project.
This meeting marks a strong and coordinated starting point towards a more accessible, innovative, and participatory model for inclusive employment across Europe.
