International relations

The project for the elderly is being implemented with Polish partners – “work60plus“ aims to create a model that would allow them to work longer and more flexibly in Lithuania. The project is expected to create a modified work environment that is more favorable to people over the age of sixty.

The interdisciplinary model of extending the professional activity of employees in retirement age in the area of ergonomics, flexibility and validation of work environment combines two models defined under the joint work60plus programme:
• firm60plus: model of maintaining the professional activity of employees in preretirement and retirement age by supporting enterprises in preparation to retain employees who reach their retirement age;
• employee60plus: model of preparing employees in pre-retirement and retirement age to remain on the labour market.

The models include three stages of intervention following the logic presented above:
• audit60plus: the first step of the model related to the description of work environments – inventory of characteristics;
• adaptation60plus: the second step of the model related to the change in the scope of features of the workplace (adaptation) and employee (accommodation) in terms of theadaptation process – change of characteristics;
• employment60plus: the third step of the model related to the implementation of the main goal of the Project – maintaining / prolonging professional activity – matching change of characteristics.

The above path will include three groups of indicators, matching dimensions in line with the competences and experience of the Project Partnership:
• ergonomics60plus: indicators regarding the ergonomic aspects of the position, as well as the health and fitness characteristics of the employee.
• flexibility60plus: indicators for flexible forms of work related to the employee's limited efficiency, limited availability due to family and social roles connected to the employee's age.
• competencies60plus: indicators regarding the description of job competence requirements, including those related to psychophysical / psychological requirements,technological tasks and organizational tasks.

The project will be implemented in six stages, including three involving foreign partners:
• Development of model tools in cooperation with foreign partners;
• Model testing with target groups;
• Analysis of the effects of testing in cooperation with foreign partners;
• Development of the final version of tools in cooperation with foreign partners;
• Model implementation through educational activities;
• Development of recommendations for model users.

Project coordinators: Aivaras Pranarauskas.
Project website: https://www.praca60plus.pl/
Project duration: 2021-2023

Intercept project delivers an innovative scheme in three countries (Malta, Lithuania, and Italy). Project is equipping 300 inactive NEETs (80 in Lithuania) aged between 25 and 29 to seize their training and employment opportunities linked to the Green Economy. Under the Project, an innovative activation program will be developed featuring an outreach strategy, career counseling, tailored activation, training, and workplace exposure in the segment of green jobs. The program will be designed building on the research about the specifics of the target group, and a meta-analysis of previously implemented active labour market policy (ALMP) practices. At the end of the intervention, participants are expected to access the labour market. Four out of the project partners are public employment services (MT, LT, IT, and LU).

The Project will allow them to explore the potential extension of their services, build new connections to employers in the dynamic segment of the green economy, and enhance their competencies through international experience sharing and piloting. INTERCEPT will also engage employers to ensure consistency between labour force competencies and demand in the green economy. Employees of PES will be trained and, thus, better prepared to address the labour needs related to the green economy. The project aims to mainstream the new approach into a structural measure to integrate NEETs in the green economy, relying also on the evaluation of piloted schemes. Finally, the Project activities are also going to be carried out in line with the highest standards of evidence-based policymaking applied by the European Commission, including evaluation of its outcomes.

Today's young generation will undoubtedly be the most affected by global climate change. In this context, resorting to investments in a green economy can help secure a just and equitable future that improves people’s lives through the advancement of environmental and social well-being.

We are supporting NEETs to gain the necessary skills and work experience to access jobs in the green sector is an investment with high potential return and a promising tool for social inclusion.

INTERCEPT project will address the need for providing adequate skills, competences and mindset to 25-29 years old NEETs in Lithuania, Malta and Italy; enabling them to respond to employment opportunities in the area of Green jobs. Participants will be provided tailored activation, career counselling, training and workplace exposure. 
The project's operational objectives are: 
1. analysis of the characteristics, needs, and barriers faced by the target group in partner countries; and identification of the key lessons of relevant ALMP practices implemented in the EU (with a focus on partner countries) to underpin the schemes 
2. developing an innovative outreach and activation strategy based on green economy for the inactive NEETs;  
- designing a tailored activation, career counselling and training package; 
1. building connections between the PES and the employers in the green economy around organising workplace insertions of the programme participants; 
2. document, evaluate and share the experience of this innovative ALMP programme at EU level. 

Besides, we also aim to aid green-economy employers with increasing their access to local labour force. In doing so, INTERCEPT will take stock of available best practices and leverage the cooperation between partners across Europe to design a new coordinated solution. The project is built on shared common values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and environmental responsibility. 

Additionally, the employers in the green economy, often striking with a lack of qualified workforce, will receive a new channel of engaging with potential employees. Secondly, the PES staff involved in the implementation of the innovative ALMP programme are going to receive additional training and through the project activities build and maintain connection with 'green employers’. 

Project website: Intercept Project - Connecting young NEETs with job opportunities in the green sector
Project presentation: Project INTERCEPT - YouTube
Project duration: 2021-2023

The Nordic-Baltic Mobility and Network Programme for Public Administration gives financial support to civil servants and other staff with similar functions from the Nordic and Baltic countries to carry out study visits, internships, or network activities in the Baltic or Nordic countries, as appropriate. The program is administered by the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia (the management body). The program is established by the NB8 countries to promote and strengthen cooperation, exchange of knowledge, and networks between public administration structures on all administrative levels in the NB8 countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden). It aims to facilitate the harmonization of more efficient working methods in the public sector. The overall goal is to increase the global competitive power of the region.

Together with partners from Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, within the framework of the ERASMUS + program, a project is being implemented that aims to create a unique training program for the staff of multifunctional career centres. Together with Norwegians, Germans, and Greeks, the “Included Education” project is designed to develop a modern model of vocational training aiming to improve services provided for young people.

The project aims to create knowledge, and increase competence and methodology for how teachers and trainers can use ordinary learning situations to improve self-confidence, self-knowledge, and self-esteem among youths. This includes the learning situation itself and different aspects of following up with the youths. In order to concretely empower youths at school and in their everyday life, the project wants to: 

• Develop a theoretical and practical framework of Included education for learning/teaching, taking into account informal and non-formal aspects of education, both for the learners & educators. The work will be summarized in a curriculum for training/follow-up processes.
• Set a methodology pack – Development of the Training for Trainers materials and guidelines for effective “Included education” competencies and learning aimed at education, training, and follow-up processes, based on the results of the previous framework. This methodology pack creation of blended training material for educators, digital tools to follow up on each, and a pilot project on teachers and trainers at a local level.
• Create criteria for certification of trainers/teachers/coaches who conduct education, training, and follow-up process to ensure quality in the whole process. This task will also include the creation of assessment tools to support the certification process. 
• Set a short-term joint staff train the trainer event 3 participants per country among teachers, educators, and trainers working with youth education and training to will improve their knowledge of digital financial competencies and better their training competencies.
• Local certification of teachers and trainers in our methodology pack.

Project title: Joint innovative employment support for displaced people from Ukraine
Project acronym: JOINT-UA-EMPLOY

The general objective of the project is to foster the integration of Ukrainian refugees into the labour market, thereby contributing to their overall integration. Project activities are designed to provide support in job search and facilitate employment opportunities in professions that match their qualifications, as well as in other suitable professions.

The project aims to create a sustainable and inclusive labour market environment that benefits both the displaced individuals and the host community.

To achieve this, it focuses on developing tailored measures in cooperation with PES in both partner countries and stakeholders. Special emphasis is placed on engaging representatives of the key target group, employers, and other stakeholders in labour market integration.

The project addresses the specific objectives:
• to establish cooperation among various stakeholders to foster mutual learning while addressing the target groups needs;
• to develop and test the concept of DUO DAY for a new target group, a proven practice for facilitating the employment of
vulnerable groups. The model will provide employment opportunities for Ukrainian refugees and activate employers to
meet and establish quality cooperation;
• to further develop specific support measures: One-Stop-Shop in Slovenia will provide customized one-on-one counselling,
and language courses in Lithuania will provide individuals with the entry requirements for desired job positions;
• to actively engage the target group in all project activities.

The project will contribute to a more informed target group, enhance their employability, and address shortages of skilled workers in the labour market.

Project coordinators: Aivaras Pranarauskas.
Project duration: 2025-2027