At a meeting organised on the initiative of “Arpi” NGO, a member of the Child Protection Network, representatives of the Network’s member organisations had the opportunity to learn about the “Vives Emplea” method and the experience of applying it.

“Vives Emplea” is designed to support people at risk of social exclusion who face difficulties finding employment. The method rests on an important idea: for a person looking for work, simply offering a vacancy is not always enough.

It is important to understand:

• what the person wants,
• what abilities and strengths they have,
• what is preventing them from finding work,
• which skills they need to develop,
• and what steps they can take on their own to reach their goal.

The meeting also addressed motivation. If a person does not apply for jobs or take part in the programmes offered, it does not always mean they do not want change. The reasons can vary: lack of self-confidence, difficulties with childcare, language barriers, restrictions imposed by the family, previous negative experience, or a mismatch between the work offered and the person’s interests and abilities.

Group work plays an important role in “Vives Emplea”. Participants develop job-search and interview skills, identify their strengths, clarify their professional goals and learn to take independent steps towards them. The group also becomes a space of mutual support where participants share experience, information and job opportunities.

The experience of applying “Vives Emplea” in Poland was presented, and participants discussed how some of its approaches could be adapted to the Armenian context.

We thank “Arpi” NGO, a member of the Child Protection Network, for the initiative and for involving the Network’s members in the meeting.