Background and objectives: The most important aim of the project is the better integration of disadvantaged persons (low-skilled, migrants, ethnic minorities, long-term unemployed etc.) into education, training and the labour market through more client-oriented guidance and counselling offers that consider diversity issues. Therefore more qualified counsellors in the field of VET are needed who will be aware of various kinds of disparities and sensitised and prepared for equity, diversity and inclusion challenges. This is crucial in order to reach the disadvantaged persons in the first place and to respond as a counsellor adequately to their needs and particular circumstances. Thus, the project will facilitate not only the access to guidance services but also the transition to further education, training and the world of work. In Bulgaria and Romania there are huge economic and especially ethnic disparities which counsellors have to deal with. We tackle these facettes with a diversity and human rights oriented approach. Also in Germany we need innovative approaches to deal on the one hand adequately with the increasing number of migrants and refugees but also to close the gap between low-skilled and high-qualified persons. Counsellors need appropriate tools, methods and knowledge how they can reach and counsel them appropriately and individually. To reach this aim all partners will identify, develop (further), compile and disseminate successful methods and approaches to improving the integration into society and the labour market and support of unemployed people and those who have only little or no access to further education. The main focus will be on the analysis of methods and approaches and to establish new counselling, guidance and education offers by developing a modular training course for counsellors that will be established in the partner countries. Central focus of the project is to support the target groups in their home countries and to foster the national economy by counselling and qualifying disadvantaged persons. This project will increase the chances of disadvantaged persons to find (better) work, as this is directly correlated with the level of qualification. Target groups of the project: students, counselors, social and community workers, staff of the churches, advisors of the public employment services and the chambers of commerce, adult education providers During the project's lifetime we plan to reach approx. 2000 persons. Activities and methodology: - Compiling country reports that will describe the VET system and the possibilities for further training and counselling/guidance in each partner country - Presentations from all project partners about suitable best practice examples in their countries for reaching and counselling disadvantaged people. - Development of a training course handbook including a curriculum for both trainers (who want to train counsellors) and for coaches and counsellors as a reference guide to improve their knowledge and skills. Planned topics/chapters: • General basics for counselling and guidance in order to support disadvantaged persons • Diversity and human rights • Quality standards in guidance • Mobile strategies to reach disadvantaged persons • Career guidance according to the special needs of disadvantaged persons • Business foundation coaching • concept for volunteer work and internships - The training course will be carried out in the participating countries - Website in all partner languages + English - On the website we will include a platform for e-learning. - Towards the end of the project, partners from each country will organize a public event and disseminate the project results. Results, envisaged impact and long-term benefits: - Through the training course counsellors will be able to provide more individualised guidance to disadvantaged clients. They will have gained deeper understanding on their special needs, are aware of the necessity in being mobile as a counsellor and as an institution and they will increase the effectiveness of their guidance and counselling services as they incorporate new knowledge and methods and a deeper understanding of diversity and fairness in their professional processes. - Organisations gain information on how to design their offerings and services to meet the needs of disadvantaged target groups and offer suitable support and how to modify their mission statements in regard of diversity and human rights. - The gained knowledge regarding volunteer work will be used to raise awareness among employers and unemployed to establish more internships and practical training possibilities for getting work experience. - Disadvantaged persons will profit from more professional client-centered counselling and guidance offers and better access to learning opportunities and counselling. - They will feel appreciated and gain trust in the offerings. - Consequently the unemployment rate of this target group will decrease.