Foundation Perspectiva
Project «Business to young job seekers with disabilities: developing a system of mentoring and preparation for employment»
Main values
Geography: Republic of Tatarstan
CSS contribution, rubles
Total budget, rubles
Implementation period, months
Project idea
The project "Business to young job seekers with disabilities: developing a system of mentoring and preparation for employment" aims to develop a mentoring system for persons with disabilities (PWD) to facilitate their employment and professional development.
The goal of the project is to create a permanent mentoring system in Moscow and 6 other regions to assist young job seekers with disabilities in finding employment and enhancing their professional knowledge. This will make employment more accessible and effective for this group of people.
To achieve the set goals, an information resource will be created—a database of job seekers with disabilities on the employment department website of "Perspektiva".
The following work will also be done:
- Conducting professional development and mentoring events, such as regional "Path to a Career" contests and the mentoring program "Try a Profession in Action."
- Engaging business companies as mentors to prepare people with disabilities for employment and career development.
- Moderation of the database of job seekers with disabilities, conducting surveys and interviews for qualified selection of candidates, career guidance.
- Organization of an online conference to present project results and share experience with other NGOs and business organizations.
The project will provide participants with access to qualified support and mentoring. Systematic interaction with business and NGOs will create a sustainable network of assistance and support, as well as expand opportunities for project participants in various regions. This, in turn, will contribute to the formation of an inclusive work environment and society as a whole.
It is planned to attract more than 100 job seekers with disabilities, from which at least 70 will be selected for inclusion in the database and provided with mentoring support from businesses. Additionally, at least 30 employees from businesses will be engaged as mentors. The conference is planned to be held with at least 50 participants from 20 organizations and 15 regions of Russia.
Relevance
According to statistics, about 9.3% of the country's population are people with disabilities, and about 70% of them are unemployed. People with disabilities often face challenges in obtaining education and social skills, making them less competitive in the job market.
The project is aimed at assisting young individuals with disabilities in surmounting obstacles to employment and advancing their professional careers. It offers social preparation and mentoring programs for employment, helping people with disabilities adapt to the modern labor market and gain professional experience.
The project employs various working methods, including organizing awareness-raising events, creating a database of job-seeking individuals with disabilities, and recruiting experienced business mentors, all of which equip disabled persons with the necessary knowledge and support to thrive in the workforce. According to a World Bank study, participants in such programs with mentors have a higher chance of employment.
Support for this project is crucial for young individuals with disabilities, as it enables them to surmount obstacles and gain equal access to employment opportunities. It also presents an opportunity for businesses to engage in social responsibility by offering mentorship and fostering an inclusive workplace environment.
Social effect
Increasing cases of successful employment for young people with disabilities through developing a mentoring system among business community representatives in 6 regions of the country.
KPI
KPI
Project Results
Launch of a new online platform for mentoring development.
The platform serves as a virtual meeting space for mentors and specialists with disabilities, referred to as mentees. Here, mentors seeking to offer their expertise can connect with specialists with disabilities to whom they are ready to provide professional assistance. The mentor's role is to offer optimal support to the job seeker in fulfilling their request to actualize their professional and social potential. The platform's goal is to develop the professional qualities and social skills of people with disabilities, which will aid in employment and career development, as well as increase their motivation for employment. The program envisions 2 to 4 online meetings.
Introductory meetings are held for all mentors to answer any arising questions: interaction with people with disabilities, the role of the mentor.
Mentoring programs bring positive changes and new opportunities for all parties involved. The organization gets an effective program for job seekers, an interesting offer with which to go out to the business community. Participants will undoubtedly enhance their job readiness, while mentors will also achieve significant benefits. In many large companies, social volunteering is developed at the corporate level, and participation in such programs even serves as a specific KPI (Key Performance Indicator), influencing bonuses and career advancement opportunities. But even if a company does not develop volunteering internally, the mentee will personally benefit in many ways.
Project progress after CSS funding
After the project funding ends, its team plans to continue developing the internet resource created within the project.
The plans include conducting informational and presentation events, attracting volunteer mentors from businesses, and organizing informational campaigns among the community of people with disabilities and NGOs.
The project specialists will be continually moderating the resource. Active search for partners and financial resources to support the development in these activities and improve services is also planned.
The project aims to devise strategies for offering paid services to businesses and seeks to secure support from federal and regional authorities, as well as charitable foundations.
