The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of the health and social protection systems throughout the European Union and has led to the emergence of new vulnerable population profiles that have seen their mental health deteriorate and have suffered the consequences of a system that has failed to provide them with adequate, affordable, and accessible health and social support, including preventive support, in both the family environment and the community.

Today, young people with psychosocial disabilities face a higher risk of being subjected to practices that do not comply with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), whether due to the lack of community-based services, awareness, skills and competences of social or health service workers, or strategies for intervention, awareness, and dissemination of their rights. Therefore, e-YOUth aims to develop an intersectoral methodology of intervention (health, social services, social environment, families, community services, NGOs, etc.) and community intervention for young persons with disabilities based on CRPD. Moreover, the project focuses on the qualification and improvement of the skills of young workers or young specialists in the sector.

Overall goals

1. To promote the social inclusion of young people with disabilities who are in situations of risk concerning their mental and emotional health, have fewer opportunities, have complex support needs, and are seeking respect for their rights for any reason
2. To contribute to the identity and citizenship formation of people at risk of exclusion by developing specific actions to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights

Specific goals

1. To design and create a co-intervention methodology between health, social services, and third sector entities for the development of community-based services
2. To train and improve the skills of current specialists in the disability sector by mapping their current skills and developing training packages for building an evidence- and rights-based approach
3. To develop resources for promoting the personal development, autonomy, and resilience of young people with complex support needs and fewer opportunities.

e-YOUth is a project funded by European funds and led by Support-Girona, which also has the participation of Mental Health Europe (BE), EQUIP (DK), COCEMFE Sevilla (ES), UDAF 82 (FR), and OZARA Maribor (SI).

At your disposal, the project materials