The second edition of the “Resposta Alternativa de Integração Social e Empreendedorismo” project (Alternative Response to Social Integration and Entrepreneurship – RAISE) is now launched. RAISE means “to lift”, but it is also the acronym for Alternative Response of Social Integration and Entrepreneurship.

The overall objective of the project is to help limit the problem of unemployment in the municipality of Alenquer, 50 km north of Lisbon. Following the economic crisis, about 12% of the Portuguese population is unemployed; youth unemployment however hovers around 28% and it also affects people with higher education: the most obvious consequence is the emigration of the most skilled and qualified young people, which compromises the future of the whole country.

The specific objective is to train and accompany people to the inclusion in the labour market by third parties or also through the creation of business initiatives if the personal circumstances and the social context permit it.

The project proposes an innovative methodology with customized approaches to create attitudes and entrepreneurial skills. It also promotes initiatives that help increase the job offer in the municipality of Alenquer, in the short, medium and long term. A particular aspect of the training covers the principles, values and methodology of the Economy of Communion.

The main activities of the project consist in the training on methods and strategies on finding a job, job training, technical and entrepreneurial training and also psycho-social support (personal and professional). In this path some are helped to find work, others to create their own company.

Information

AMU