GOMEL, 8 December (BelTA) – More than 600 young residents of Gomel Oblast have received assistance under the project of the Belarusian Red Cross Society “EU4Youth: fostering potential for greater employability”, member of the Council of the Republic, Chairperson of the Gomel Oblast organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Alla Smolyak told BelTA.
“The project “EU4Youth: fostering potential for greater employability” was launched in Gomel Oblast in January 2019. Certain results have been achieved since then. In general, more than 600 young people, residents of Gomel Oblast, received assistance in various areas. The project was supported by private enterprises, businessmen, state institutions and authorities,” said Alla Smolyak.
According to Deputy Chairperson of the Gomel Oblast organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Olesya Kostyuk, six information centers have been set up as part of the initiative: in Gomel, Rogachev, Korma, Mozyr and Rechitsa. One of them was set up at the Red Cross and the rest - at the employment centers. Volunteers received training. The information centers have been provided with laptops, multimedia projectors and information stands.
“Young people were taught leadership, communication and conflict resolution skills. There were trainings on legal support and humanitarian values. In addition, information sessions and consultations on choosing a profession were conducted for the youth. 100 people were trained to develop entrepreneurial ideas, including social entrepreneurship. 19 young men and women took paid professional courses. They were trained in computer literacy, driving, cooking, etc.,” said the deputy chairperson of the Gomel Oblast organization. Som young people opened up their own business as the result of such work.
The Labor, Employment and Social Protection Department of the Gomel City Council and the Gomel Oblast organization of the Belarusian Red Cross held a job fair for young disabled people.
Another important phase in the implementation of the project was the development of a mentoring system to support motivated young people. Today in more than 20 professionals in Gomel Oblast are ready to share useful knowledge and skills with young men and women and help them launch their own business.
The project “EU4Youth: fostering potential for greater employability” aims to develop vocational skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship among socially vulnerable young people. It is implemented in Armenia, Georgia and Belarus with the support of the Danish Red Cross in cooperation with government agencies and NGOs and with financial support from the European Union. Partners in Belarus are the Labor and Social Protection Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Gomel Oblast and Mogilev Oblast executive committees, the Youth Volunteer Labor League, the Center for Support and Development of Youth Entrepreneurship, and the international public association Gender Perspectives.
