Integration and inclusion in international cooperation
Together in the centre of life. Under this motto, Lebenshilfe Ostfalen gGmbH proactively supports and accompanies people with disabilities or impairments and their relatives in all phases of life. The main focus is on helping people to help themselves. In the workshops for people with disabilities (WfbM) of Lebenshilfe Ostfalen gGmbH, people with disabilities work in meaningful and customised jobs that meet their needs and interests. Workshop operations are committed to inclusion, participation and vocational rehabilitation and offer employees and customers a wide range of services and products.
The FAIRE association (Formation Accompagnement Insertion Retour à l'Emploi = Training Accompagnement Insertion Return to Employment) from the Gard region in the south of France is committed to the (re)integration of people into the labour market. These are people who, due to life circumstances, have had to undergo psychological experiences and stress.
Both institutions successfully applied for an exchange programme as part of the Franco-German Citizens' Fund. They were supported and accompanied by the Enterprise Europe Network Saxony-Anhalt at the Magdeburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Enterprise Europe Network Occitanie and the European Movement in Nîmes (Gard region).
The aim of the exchange was to get to know the structures of the respective partner organisation, the work of the partners and the cooperation with people with disabilities and impairments. Full-time employees, volunteer board members, employees and staff (people with disabilities) from both organisations took part in these exchanges.
The exchange was divided into two parts. Firstly, a German delegation visited the French partner in Saint-Ambroix in June 2024. The return visit from France took place in Hundisburg/Haldensleben in October 2024. These visits allowed participants to experience the daily work and challenges of both institutions. Both visits also provided the opportunity to actively participate in the workshops.
Both institutions, Lebenshilfe Ostfalen gGmbH and FAIRE, have spoken out in favour of turning this exchange into a future collaboration. Initial ideas have already been exchanged.
If you want to be socially accepted, you need recognised and meaningful work. Above all, people gain identification and self-confidence from value-creating work. The exchange between the two organisations has shown that in both countries the work of disabled people and people with disabilities and cooperation with them is rather unknown and sometimes stigmatised in society at large. Through their future co-operation, both institutions would also like to show that the topics of integration and inclusion know no national or social boundaries.
The Enterprise Europe Network Saxony-Anhalt and the Enterprise Europe Network Occitanie will continue to support the cooperation between Lebenshilfe Ostfalen gGmbH and FAIRE and promote dialogue between them and companies in the general labour market.