In the framework of the European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), the innovative pilot project entitled ‘Lone Parents Digital Activation’ was implemented with Greek participation, following the open call VP/2020/003 ‘Establishing and testing integrated interventions aimed at supporting people in (the most) vulnerable situations’.
Single parents often face significant challenges in aligning family responsibilities with employment, leading to long periods of unemployment. Prolonged periods of unemployment can lead to a loss of skills, making it even more difficult to re-enter the labour market.
To tackle these issues, this pilot project as a successful example of social innovation leveraged digital tools to help single parents find work. It combined digital technology with personalised support from public and private actors, used profiling tools to assess participants’ employability, and offered digital training to help them improve essential skills.
The project aimed to improve the education, employability and social inclusion of participants. By offering training in digital skills and soft skills such as teamwork, communication and self-confidence, the project helped single parents increase their employment prospects while reducing poverty and social exclusion.
By providing support services in Ireland, Greece and Finland, common barriers for single parents, such as access to childcare and employment opportunities, were addressed. In Ireland, for example, the project supported 100-120 participants in cooperation with the Department of Social Protection and the NGO “One Family”. At the same time, in Greece and Finland, single-parent families received personalised services, such as legal assistance, training and support for childcare.
The project was implemented simultaneously in all three Member States (Ireland, Greece and Finland) and for a period of three years from 1 November 2021 to 30 April 2024 co-funded by the European Employment and Social Innovation Initiative (EaSI).
In our country, the action was piloted in the target group of single parents who are unemployed, receivers of the guaranteed minimum income and live in the Municipality of Athens. The target group was divided into two congenerous subgroups (reference group and treatment group) of 100 individuals each. In both groups, the formal services were provided by the consultants of the Employment Promotion Centres of DYPA, while subsequently the “treatment” group was referred to the partner NGOs “Agkalia” and “Ark of the World”, where they received additional services with the ultimate aim of their social inclusion through their promotion in the labour market.
This cooperation between Ireland, Greece and Finland serves as a model for similar initiatives across Europe. By addressing the specific needs of single parents through innovative and tailored approaches, this initiative demonstrates how targeted interventions can effectively improve employability, reduce poverty and promote social inclusion
Project details
Project name: Lone parents (Digital activation)
Countries engaged: Ireland, Finland, Greece
Organisations involved: In Ireland, Department of Social Protection (Ireland), One Family (Ireland), Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Uusimaa (Finland), Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (thereafter Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs) (Greece), Agalia (Greece), Ark of the World (Greece).
Participants: 245
Project start : 2021 Project end: 2024
Total budget: EUR 1 557 509 – EU Budget contribution: EUR 1 245 926
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