Event

Work Inclusion Social Enterprises – Joint webinar of EPR and D-WISE Network

EPR and D-WISE Network, together with Fundación ONCE, organised an interactive webinar regarding labour market and social inclusion for people with disabilities with the aim of mutual learning in the field of Work Inclusion Social Enterprises.

At first, the webinar investigated the topic of PWD in the labour market by reporting the main findings of the comparative research “Towards inclusive employment of persons with disabilities” made in six social economy organisations and companies in six countries (Belgium, France, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden). Next, three case studies from different countries were presented to obtain a better understanding of the comparative research. The last part of the webinar wasaddress and discuss policy recommendations in light of the European Disability Strategy 2021-2030 and the upcoming European Social Economy Action Plan with stakeholders and decision makers from the EU institutions.

Both those with experience and those with less knowledge on Work Inclusion Social Enterprises (WISE) were invited to actively participate in the event.

Background

The D-WISE Network analyses how the social economy sector, which employs significant percentages of workers with disabilities, contributes to their labour market and social inclusion and examines how existing employment models for persons with disabilities in social economy are aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). It also aims to examine and raise awareness about the role of the social economy sector – the so-called Work Inclusion Social Enterprises (WISEs) – in creating employment and facilitating the labour inclusion of persons with disabilities in Europe. The D-WISE Network is an international partnership promoted by Fundación ONCE in the framework of Disability Hub Europe and co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). The D-WISE Network in 2019 commissioned two studies to better understand the regulatory context for WISE, an analysis of the EU regulatory framework and an overview of the international policy framework. For more information on the work and activities of the D-WISE network, click here.

The comparative study “Towards inclusive employment of persons with disabilities” was developed in 2020 by researchers of the “European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research” in Vienna. It provides an assessment of the six national reports provided by each of the national partner organisations and compares their approaches and measures towards the employment of persons with disabilities. It shows how through their work integration activities the six organizations contribute to social inclusion and inclusive growth in their countries, what challenges all of them are facing, and where improvements of the policy and regulatory framework they are impacted by are required.

The final programme is uploaded below.

You can watch the recording of the webinar here.

You find more information on this event on the D-WISE Network webpage here.

 

This event receives financial support from the European Union, from the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI). For further information please consult: http://ec.europa.eu/social/easi