New ESF+ Project SUPPORT Aims to Break Employment Barriers for Persons with Disabilities

New ESF+ Project SUPPORT Aims to Break Employment Barriers for Persons with Disabilities

On 23–24 September 2025, the SUPPORT project – a new European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) initiative – was officially launched in Brussels. Coordinated by the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), the project brings together 15 partners from nine countries to tackle one of the EU’s most persistent social challenges: the long-term unemployment of persons with disabilities.

Funded under the ESF+ programme as part of the Innovative Approaches Tackling Long-Term Unemployment initiative, SUPPORT aims to reduce the disproportionately long durations of unemployment experienced by persons with disabilities in the open labour market, which can be up to 40–50 % longer than for non-disabled individuals.

At its core, SUPPORT champions Supported Employment – a proven approach that starts with real job placements and is followed by personalised, long-term support such as job coaching, employer engagement and tailored workplace adaptations. This model helps candidates not only secure employment but also stay and thrive in the workplace.

Beyond direct employment outcomes, the project will:

• Build capacity among employment services, employers, local authorities and disability service providers to implement Supported Employment practices;
• Produce country analyses, stakeholder maps and implementation strategies to adapt employment practices to local contexts;
• Develop training materials and programmes for practitioners and employers;
• Support the employment of around 130 persons with disabilities through pilot activities;
• Engage hundreds of stakeholders through webinars and outreach campaigns;
• Formulate European recommendations for scaling Supported Employment across regions.

SUPPORT also aligns with key EU policy frameworks such as the European Disability Employment Package and the European Pillar of Social Rights, strengthening inclusive labour market practices and addressing gaps in employment services and employer engagement.

The kick-off meeting provided a valuable opportunity for partners, including disability service networks, employment specialists, research organisations, and advocacy groups, to align on objectives, share best practices, and plan the next steps of the project journey.

With its collaborative, evidence-based approach, SUPPORT aspires to open new pathways to meaningful work for many more people with disabilities across the European Union.

Find out more about the SUPPORT project here.

Follow the SUPPORT project social media (LinkedIn) here.