Projects
THE SOCIAL INCUBATOR PROJECTS
We run many initiatives for young people in the Child Protection System or from vulnerable backgrounds at large. But it’s not just them that are on our radar. Our experts also work with young people from low-income, single-parent families or with both parents working abroad.
We build projects according to society’s needs. That’s why, at The Social Incubator, we have programmes dedicated to the unemployed, adults who have lost their jobs in the pandemic, people in the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) group.
Our programmes are built on an architecture that is based on 5 main strands:
Current projects
The main one, “A Normal Future for Young Institutionalised People”, focuses on the socio-professional integration of young institutionalised people aged between 16 and 26. The programme aims not only to find jobs for young people, but also to provide a strategy for a career path that will ensure their long-term independence.
The projects we are currently running at The Social Incubator are:
Main PROGRAM – #tinerideviitor
We believe every young person deserves a real chance at a fulfilling life, regardless of where they start from.
Through our Youth for the Future program – our association’s first and most comprehensive initiative – we offer young people aged 16-26 from the social protection system or disadvantaged backgrounds guidance toward independent living through a personalized psycho-socio-professional integration process.
Young people benefit from career counseling, access to mental health services, mentorship with professionals from various fields, and concrete support in finding employment and, when needed, housing. We offer not just job and housing opportunities, but also the tools needed to build a solid emotional foundation. The program includes both non-formal education activities and tutoring for continuing studies. Based on each young person’s needs, we provide scholarships for professional courses and targeted material support (food, clothing, access to medical services).
In 2025, our program received recognition and support from The Inner Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to building an inner foundation for an outer world worth living in, supporting organizations that develop innovative solutions to strengthen mental wellbeing among emerging adults (ages 18–29). This grant will allow us to expand mental health services and strengthen career preparation programs. Long-term, this support helps emerging adults strengthen emotional resilience, better manage stress, and build healthy relationships, contributing significantly to an independent, fulfilling, and stable life.
Through Youth for the Future, we’re building not just a support program, but a complete development pathway that enables each young person to build a stable, dignified future on their own terms.
La TINEri este Puterea, supported by Coca Cola HBC România
With the project “YOUth Empowered” we support young people from vulnerable backgrounds to become active in the labour market, to be motivated to continue and complete their studies, to understand and reach their full potential. We target young people between 16 and 25 who want to get to know themselves, understand how they can communicate better with others and prepare themselves properly for life as an employee.
“YOUth Empowered” takes place in Romania as part of the #YOUthEmpowered initiative launched by the Coca-Cola HBC Group and aims to increase the chances of young people from the NEET category to become active in the labour market.
Plan De Viață, supported by Afi Europe
In the “Plan de viata”, Program, we work to support young people who, upon turning 18, leave the institutionalized child protection system and face enormous challenges. Without family support, financial resources, or clear guidance, these young people must suddenly learn how to become independent adults.
At this critical age, many face difficulties in finding a job, accessing housing, continuing their studies, or managing their emotional health. This is where we come in, with a concrete and personalized plan for a dignified life.
In the 2025 edition, 15 young people benefit from:
Since 2020, the “Plan de viata” program has reached over 60 young people who have benefited from a comprehensive support path in a safe environment — to build self-confidence, manage emotions and finances, integrate professionally, and make conscious choices about their future. Through an empathetic approach focused on the real needs of the beneficiaries, “Life Plan” offers a concrete chance at independence and a dignified life.
Start Major – ediția 5, supported by Unicredit Bank România
Start Major is a financial and entrepreneurial education program developed by UniCredit Bank and implemented by The Social Incubator Association, aimed at students in vocational and technical education in Romania.
Through interactive workshops and entrepreneurship camps, the program provides young people with the necessary tools to build a successful career and an independent life.
Since 2019, Start Major has reached 17 countries and has supported over 10,000 students in acquiring essential skills for employability and entrepreneurship. In 2024, it had a record edition with 4,373 students involved in the counties of Alba, Argeș, Botoșani, Neamț, Mureș, Vrancea, Olt, Prahova, Bucharest, and Ialomița.
RetușART
A tailor’s job is still relevant and makes us remember how important human contact is for each of us. Going to a tailor’s shop to have a pair of trousers shortened was an event in itself a few years ago. We also fondly remember the day we went to the tailor to pick up the dress we had been working on for weeks. Why wouldn’t we be friends with the environment and use tailoring services instead of always buying new clothes? The idea of on-the-spot tailoring can often save us from spending a lot of money.
But what is RetușART, tailoring workshop Bucharest?
RetușART is a social enterprise that aims to train vulnerable young people for the tailoring trade. Beneficiaries go through schooling and are then funded in finding a job in the field of clothes repair.
RetușART means high quality tailoring services and lots of good deeds. By calling on this social enterprise you change the lives of young people from vulnerable backgrounds and support the circular economy. We invite you to visit our tailoring shop.
The profits of RetușART are directed towards the personalised socio-professional integration programmes that our team offers to young people from vulnerable backgrounds. These programs are:
Architects of Good Deeds thanks you for your trust in RetușART! And because we know your time is limited, RetușART also means tailoring on the spot!
R€sponsabil, supported by Kruk România
The “ResponsABIL” program powered by Kruk România was launched in 2019 and this year reached its 8th edition. It is an educational program dedicated to developing financial independence and responsibility among disadvantaged young people in Romania.
The 8th edition focuses on supporting 40 young people between 16 and 24 years old, from Argeș and Satu-Mare counties, who face situations of risk such as the child protection system, including placement centers, social apartments and foster care, or who come from single-parent families and low-income families. Some of them are young people at risk of labor exploitation, school dropout and low academic performance.
The general objective of the project is to contribute to the real integration of disadvantaged young people into society, giving them the chance for a better, independent and dignified future.
Together with the project trainers, the young people become familiar with financial education concepts and come to put healthy behaviors into practice.
How did we reach these results? “ResponsABIL” was designed as a gamification program. We combined non-formal education workshops with practical challenges set for the young people and with personalized support that facilitates the socio-professional integration of young people in various situations of risk.
For the 2026 edition, we aim for the 40 young people involved in the project, from Argeș and Satu-Mare counties, to take part in financial education workshops and in personal and professional development activities. Depending on each person’s needs, the young people receive personalized support through participation in therapy sessions, vocational counseling, tutoring or mentoring. Throughout the program, the young people will go through various challenges based on the information provided in the workshops, and at the end they are rewarded for their journey within the project.
The young people also have the opportunity to take part in exploratory visits to potential employers in the two counties, giving them the chance to observe what a given professional activity involves, to talk with employees and to find out whether that workplace would suit them.
The project began in 2019 and, over the 7 years of implementation, we have reached 393 young people from 13 counties: Vaslui, Iași, Timiș, Olt, Dâmbovița, Prahova, Galați, Brăila, Constanța, Călărași, Ialomița, Teleorman and Bucharest-Ilfov.
The “ResponsABIL” program is supported by KRUK România and will be implemented from July to November 2026.
INVIZIBILII, SUPPORTED BY ASOCIAȚIA PROVIDENT PENTRU EDUCAȚIE
“Invizibilii” (The Invisible Ones) is a financial education and professional integration project, supported and developed by the Asociația Provident pentru Educație and implemented by The Social Incubator NGO, which aims to counteract the effects caused by social exclusion and financial exclusion affecting 3 vulnerable groups: single-parent families, the involuntarily unemployed over 55 and people employed without legal forms. In 2023, we address people from vulnerable groups in the counties: Bacău, Galați, Mehedinți, Mureș, Vaslui.
“Invizibilii” aims to involve in training and counseling programs more than 1,000 people who have access to information, education and direct support to become aware of the financial and social problems they face and to find the internal and external resources necessary to overcome these problems.
This will be done by creating an individualized process for each category of beneficiaries in three directions:
SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD ROMANIA (SIA), SUPPORTED BY SAP AND BCR SOCIAL FINANCE
The Social Impact Award supports innovative and sustainable youth initiatives from over 15 countries through social entrepreneurship workshops, social entrepreneur incubation programs and local events.
Grant My Passion – The Opportunity to Transform the Dreams of Young Talents into Reality
“Grant My Passion” is a project dedicated to young people aged between 17 and 19 who reside in Romania and wish to follow their dreams and put their ideas into practice. Developed in partnership with McDonald’s, this program offers financial grants and personal and professional development workshops to support the growth of young people in various fields.
Through “Grant My Passion,” young people have the opportunity to take their projects to the next level by choosing one of the four available grants:
Young Start Grant – for young people who want to start a start-up or implement a business idea. The grant provides support in developing a solid business plan and taking the first steps in entrepreneurship.
Talent Grant – for young people passionate about sports, arts, or other creative activities. This grant provides resources and support to develop and elevate their passion to a higher level.
Better World Grant – for young people who want to make a positive change in the world through social and environmental projects. The grant supports initiatives that promote sustainability, social responsibility, and volunteering.
Education Grant – for young people who wish to continue their studies or take specialized courses. The grant provides support to acquire new knowledge and build a successful career.
What does Grant My Passion offer?
Grant My Passion is not just a financial grant program, but an active support system for shaping a new generation of young leaders, entrepreneurs, and community changemakers. Young people will learn how to harness their ideas, face challenges, and build a better future.
Thank you to McDonald’s Romania for turning dreams into reality.
Dream, act, inspire – together with Grant My Passion!
S.A.F.E — by Allianz-Țiriac
Through the Allianz-Țiriac program “Support Financial Skills through Education,” or S.A.F.E. in short, we prepare young people from vulnerable backgrounds for economic independence through financial education and personalized coaching. One hundred participants benefit from individual financial coaching sessions with Allianz-Țiriac employees and interactive workshops on financial planning, risk management, and the importance of insurance.
The program combines non-formal education with professional mentoring, providing young people with the tools they need to manage their personal budgets, save money, and make responsible economic decisions, preparing them for an independent and stable life.
Guide ME – Eu cred, Eu pot!
A project dedicated to young people from vulnerable backgrounds, which helped them discover their potential and shape their career path. Over 300 young people benefited from career counseling sessions, mentoring, and practical workshops. The project also included the renovation of two schools, involving over 200 volunteers and contributing to the creation of a modern and motivating educational environment.
MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Projects)
MAP or Multidisciplinary Action Projects is a program implemented by Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, USA, through which teams of top MBA students collaborate with organizations around the world to provide organizational consulting and develop strategic and innovative solutions. For the students, it is an applied learning experience, and for us, it is a unique opportunity to benefit from the expertise of top international professionals and to work alongside brilliant minds who can help us amplify the impact of our association and our work.
Civico, susținut de o companie globală din industria tech și Fundația TELUS Digital România
CIVICO este o platformă digitală de educație civică, dezvoltată pentru tinerii cu vârste între 16 și 30 de ani, în special pentru cei din comunități rurale, vulnerabile sau cu acces limitat la astfel de resurse.
Misiunea proiectului este de a face educația civică mai accesibilă, mai ușor de înțeles și mai apropiată de modul în care tinerii învață și interacționează în mediul digital. CIVICO le oferă un spațiu sigur în care pot pune întrebări, pot înțelege mai bine cum funcționează instituțiile și procesele democratice și își pot dezvolta capacitatea de a identifica informațiile false sau înșelătoare.
Obiectivul proiectului este creșterea nivelului de cunoștințe civice și de alfabetizare digitală în rândul tinerilor, precum și dezvoltarea încrederii și a competențelor necesare pentru o participare mai activă și informată în societate.
Platforma combină:
• peste 20 de module de educație civică, în format text și video;
• quizuri interactive;
• provocări, niveluri, puncte și clasament;
• un calendar al evenimentelor civice;
• Civy, un asistent bazat pe inteligență artificială, care oferă răspunsuri clare și ușor de înțeles la întrebări despre drepturi, responsabilități, alegeri, instituții și participare civică;
• ateliere de educație civică desfășurate în școli, care îmbină activitățile față în față cu utilizarea platformei.
Rezultate obținute:
• o platformă funcțională, dezvoltată și testată împreună cu tinerii;
• peste 20 de module de educație civică;
• peste 10 ateliere organizate în școli;
• peste 70% acuratețe a răspunsurilor oferite de asistentul AI;
• un nivel de satisfacție a utilizatorilor de peste 75%;
• 85% dintre participanții la ateliere le-au considerat foarte utile, iar 87% au declarat că lecțiile și quizurile le-au îmbunătățit nivelul de înțelegere;
• peste 500 de tineri au fost implicați direct în proiect și și-au creat conturi unice pe platformă. Această cifră include tinerii care au descoperit CIVICO prin atelierele din școli, activitățile de testare și utilizarea organică a platformei.
În etapa de cercetare și dezvoltare, proiectul a inclus și 26 de interviuri individuale și peste 100 de răspunsuri la chestionare, care au contribuit direct la definirea conținutului, funcționalităților și modului de comunicare al platformei.
Descoperă platforma CIVICO aici. https://civico.asociatiasocialincubator.org/
VolunTabăra, susținut de London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)
VolunTABĂRA Planul V a fost un proiect educațional experiențial, desfășurat în cadrul proiectului Plan de Viață, cu scopul de a-i sprijini pe tineri să treacă de la rolul de beneficiari ai sprijinului, la rolul de persoane care pot contribui activ în comunitate. Tabăra a avut loc în perioada 20–23 aprilie, la Sinaia, și a fost construită în jurul voluntariatului, implicării civice, lucrului în echipă și dezvoltării personale. Conceptul central al taberei a fost „Eu sunt mai mult decât primesc. Eu dau mai departe” , cu accent pe ideea că sprijinul primit poate fi transformat în responsabilitate, solidaritate și acțiune pentru ceilalți.
Prin acest proiect ne-am dorit să creștem implicarea civică a tinerilor și dezvoltarea capacității de a lua inițiativă, a planifica și prezenta activități de voluntariat relevante pentru comunitățile din care fac parte. Pe parcursul taberei, tinerii au participat la ateliere de voluntariat, activități de dezvoltare personală, exerciții de lucru în echipă, sesiuni de reflecție, activități în natură și întâlniri cu voluntari LSEG, care au împărtășit propriile experiențe de implicare.
Un rezultat concret al taberei a fost pilotarea Cutiei MOV , prin care ideea unei tinere participante a fost transformată într-o soluție reală de reutilizare și sprijin comunitar, accesibilă tinerilor, colegilor și comunității din jurul asociației. De asemenea, ideea BeePhone a fost dusă mai departe de beneficiara care a propus-o, aceasta înscriindu-se cu inițiativa în competiția Social Impact Award, ceea ce arată că tabăra a creat nu doar idei punctuale, ci și motivație pentru continuarea lor în afara programului.
România zboară departe, susținut de Vola
Programul „România Zboară Departe” este o inițiativă implementată de Asociația The Social Incubator și susținută de Vola România, dedicată tinerilor cu vârste cuprinse între 14 și 24 de ani, cu rezultate excepționale în sport, educație sau artă, care se confruntă cu dificultăți familiale sau financiare. Programul oferă sprijin logistic și financiar, prin asigurarea biletelor de avion, cazare, taxe de participare și transport, pentru ca acești tineri să își continue drumul spre performanță, în țară sau peste hotare, oferindu-le totodată recunoaștere publică și vizibilitate pentru poveștile lor inspiraționale.
Lansat pentru prima dată în 2025, programul a sprijinit atunci peste 20 de tineri. În ediția din 2026, programul a strâns peste 130 de înscrieri, din care 13 tineri din domenii variate (educație, sport și creație) au fost susținuți.
Pe lângă sprijinul financiar, programul dezvoltă competențe de comunicare și gestionarea imaginii publice prin Academia de Vizibilitate, un hub educațional construit împreună cu ambasadorii Ana Maria Brânză, Mariciu, Vlad Stancu, dar și psihoterapeuții Flavia Teculeasa, Ionuț Oprițescu și Andreea Stancu. Videoclipurile au abordat mai multe subiecte inspirate din dificultățile cu care se confruntă tinerii care fac performanță, structurate în 10 module despre vizibilitate, comunicare și gestionarea emoțiilor.
Află mai multe despre program aici: https://romaniazboaradeparte.ro/
Finished projects
Bun în carieră, supported by — SN NUCLEARELECTRICA SA
Sometimes a map can help you make the best decisions in your career. Disadvantaged young people between the ages of 16 and 26 are encouraged in the “Bun în carieră (Career Map)” program. Very often, young people do not know what profession to follow, whether they come from vulnerable backgrounds or have had no specialist support in choosing a path in life.
With the “Bun în carieră” Program, we bring online all the experience we have accumulated offline at The Social Incubator. In 2022, in partnership with SN Nuclearelectrica SA, we launched the vocational guidance program “Be almost a superhero”. Young high school students or students who are about to choose their professional path now, have the chance to discover the opportunities offered by a career in the nuclear field, on the page dedicated to this project in the bunincariera.ro platform.
Top nuclear energy professionals employed at SN Nuclearelectrica SA share their professional experience with young people through a series of inspirational video materials, in which they talk about job-specific activities, skills and knowledge required, studies and courses, recommended universities and faculties. In addition, young people will be able to ask their own questions about careers in the nuclear field in the professional orientation workshops held in physical and online format by vocational counselors, professionals from SN Nuclearelectrica and surprise guests – experts, opinion leaders and influencers.
Lucrez Din Nou, supported by Coca Cola HBC România
The pandemic hit hard on the Romanian labour market. So, The Social Incubator started this project, for all people, regardless of age.
“Lucrez din nou (Working Again)” is an aggregator that brings together all the job offers of the main specialized platforms in Romania. Through “Lucrez din nou”, beneficiaries can access job offers, but also vocational tests, video lessons and useful information on labour law. Working Again also contains an integrated CV builder developed with the help of HR specialists.
Working Again offers professional and vocational support. Beneficiaries can call a dedicated number and will be advised on writing a CV, preparing for a job interview and even mediating with employers with whom The Social Incubator collaborates.
PRIMUL MEU JOB, SUPPORTED BY LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE GROUP (LSEG)
The “My First Job” project, now in its third edition in 2025, supports the social and professional integration of 75 institutionalized young people from the counties of Teleorman, Vaslui, Alba, Timiș, and Constanța. Throughout the year, these young people will take part in a structured pathway for personal and professional development, designed to provide concrete support in building a stable and independent future.
The first step in this journey includes 10 in-person non-formal education workshops — two in each county. During these sessions, participants will work alongside trainers to explore their strengths, gain a deeper understanding of their aspirations, and take their first steps toward employment.
The 25 most engaged young participants will have the opportunity to take part in a learning camp in the mountains, held between June 23–27, an intensive environment for exploration and growth, where personal development blends with the motivation to move forward.
As a continuation of this journey, they will benefit from 50 personalized vocational counseling sessions, through which they will build a career plan tailored to their needs, abilities, and dreams.
To better connect them with the professional reality, the project includes five exploratory visits to local employers, giving young people the chance to see how various workplaces operate and to interact directly with professionals from different fields.
Another essential element of the project is the mentorship component: employees of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) will dedicate 200 hours of mentorship to the young people included in the program, providing them with support, guidance, and success models in an in-depth intervention aimed at inspiring them and broadening their horizons.
Salta programme, SUPPORTED BY Inditex Romania
SALTA project addresses the need for employment of individuals at risk of social exclusion. Through this project, beneficiaries have access to part-time positions as Sales Consultants within INDITEX stores: Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Zara Home.
In this regard, the partner is launching the fourth edition of this professional integration program, with a duration of two weeks of training, during which each beneficiary will have a personal mentor to support them on this professional journey.
SpeakUP!, SUPPORTED BY Mondly by Pearson
“SpeakUP! – Developing the Language Skills of Young People in Brașov” is a project dedicated to high school students in Brașov, as well as young people from foster care centers who want to improve their communication skills and become more confident in expressing themselves in a foreign language.
The SpeakUP! project is supported by Mondly by Pearson, with the involvement of their volunteers, and implemented by The Social Incubator Association.
AgriPrenor of the Future, SUPPORTED BY IPSO Agriculture
AgriPrenor of the Future is a project dedicated to students from technological and agricultural high schools, offering them the opportunity to discover their entrepreneurial potential and build a future in agriculture.
With the support of IPSO Agriculture, our strategic partner, this program aims to combine education, innovation, and practical experience to inspire and prepare the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.
Aproape Adult, supported by Vodafone Foundation Romania
Young people coming from vulnerable backgrounds, especially from the state protection system, face issues of low self-confidence; the acute need for support and motivation to discover and reach their potential; the continuous need for encouragement and support to identify opportunities for development – hobbies, studies, profession, etc. and last but not least, the need for affection and interaction with people who can be real inspirational role models.
“Aproape Adult (Almost Grown Up)” aims to increase the chances of social and professional integration of 90 institutionalised young people aged between 18 and 26 from Prahova, Argeș and Dâmbovița counties through a complex training programme.
Banometru, supported by ING and AEVR
“Banometru (Moneymeter)” is a free and flexible financial education program that contributes to the awareness of the importance of financial education in every person’s life.
Young people from vulnerable backgrounds, DGASPC employees and volunteers will benefit from online courses and individual financial education sessions.
They will learn about how they can adopt measures to help them overcome financial difficulties (spending based on needs rather than wants, reducing debt, etc.); managing their budget appropriately to achieve personal/professional goals; identifying additional sources of income; identifying investment opportunities (e.g. courses, training, qualifications, etc.) that can contribute to additional income; acquiring the necessary knowledge to avoid debt that cannot be supported by constant income, which can have a major impact on the lives of vulnerable people.
ÎMPREUNĂ PENTRU SUCCESUL TINERILOR DEFAVORIZAȚI, supported by KFC
At The Social Incubator, we initiated the project “Împreună pentru succesul tinerilor defavorizați (Together for the Succes of Disadvanteged Youths)”, dedicated to supporting institutionalized youths. This involved a range of tailored interventions, aimed at guiding them not only towards employment, but also towards a career path that would ensure their long-term financial independence. The programme was implemented in Bucharest, Ilfov and Prahova areas together with KFC, the NGO’s partner in this project.
Afacerea ta începe aici, supported by Elsevier
We have also developed entrepreneurial education programmes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
One example is “Afacerea ta începe aici (Your Business Starts Here)”, which has involved 50 young people aged 18-26. The project ran for 6 months between October 2018 and March 2019 and aimed to increase the employability of young people.
The project took the form of workshops, where the following topics were discussed:
POȚI ȘI MERIȚI MAI MULT RESPECT, supported by AVON
At The Social Incubator we focus on femininity and individual fulfilment. This is how the project “Poți și meriți mai mult Respect (You can and you deserve more Respect)” was born in 2017, with the participation of girls and young women from Bucharest, mostly from disadvantaged backgrounds. We focused on respect, independence and love. Participants in the sessions included journalist Andreea Liptak Spiridon (moderator) and pop artist Lora as speaker.
The project was supported by AVON Cosmetics as part of the Respect Campaign and was launched with an event hosted by the InterContinental Hotel.
VIAȚA MEA PRIN OCHII TĂI, SUPPORTED by AFCN
Project coordinated August and November 2017, this project brought together young people from Bucharest who are or have been part of the child protection system. They took part in an intensive photography program led by a team of six professional photographers, all members of the Asociației Fotografilor de Concerte – #FIND_US
The project was supported by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN) under the thematic area “Education through Culture.”
During the week of November 1–8, 2017, Café Verona generously hosted the exhibition that crowned the project featuring photographs that reflect the hard work of the young participants and offer a direct window into their daily lives and realities.
MatchMEntor, SUPPORTED by Ikea România
Non-formal education plays a key role in every person’s professional journey. At “Match Mentor,” we aim to support 150 young people aged 15 to 18 in their social and professional integration. Over a span of three years (2019–2022), 50 vulnerable participants per year benefit from the Match Mentor program. We work with them to develop their skills through:
Each young person is paired with a dedicated mentor who volunteers in the program and is a professional in a specific field. The mentor acts as a bridge between our program team and the youth working toward social and professional integration. Mentors help open doors by facilitating access to job interviews within their own companies or through their professional networks.
Bursa de Bine, SUPPORTED BY Servier Pharma
At “Bursa de BINE,” we empower five young people from vulnerable backgrounds by supporting them for 12 months as they transition to independent living and enter the workforce.
The program offers six months of accommodation, along with personal and emotional development, education, job market integration, and ongoing mentorship. Our primary goal is to create meaningful and sustainable change in the lives of these youths.
Through a comprehensive package of skills and support, “Bursa de BINE” equips beneficiaries to successfully navigate the challenges of adulthood.
This project is funded by Servier, with communication support from Graffiti PR Agency.
Construim destine, SUPPORTED by Nepi Rockcastle
A component of the organization’s national expansion program, focused on 4 counties with a high level of social and economic vulnerability – Constanța, Mehedinți, Vâlcea, and Galați – and on providing dedicated and personalized support to a number of 45 institutionalized young people (who are growing up or have grown up in the child protection system in Romania), aged between 16 and 26, from the covered counties.
Innomate, SUPPORTED by United Way România
“InnoMate – Innovation for the Future” is based on a program developed and adapted to pandemic realities, so as to meet the needs of students for career development and planning.
Some of our colleagues are implementing this project in three high schools in Bucharest and Ilfov. The young people most in need of support have been co-opted into the programme and encouraged to build a career path. They come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, which ultimately lead to social vulnerability and difficulties at school.
Through “InnoMate – Innovation for the Future” we aim for a long-lasting impact and approach an integrated method of intervention for pupils and teachers.
We have designed InnoMate according to several fundamental principles and directions for action:
Pregătiți pentru Viață, supported by Raiffeisen Bank România
Through “Pregătiți pentru viață (Ready for Life)” we aim to support 50 young people from vulnerable backgrounds in a process of acquiring skills and competences necessary for personal and financial independence. We will organize two non-formal education camps, through which we will try to increase the social inclusion of young people.
“Pregătiți pentru viață” also means opportunities for labour market integration, especially in a context where options are limited. The non-formal education camps will be followed by a personal and professional development camp with individualised counselling and career guidance sessions. This way, young people will be able to clarify their career choices and make informed choices.
Digital Shift, supported by HP România
Digital Shift, a digital non-formal education programme, supports the social and professional integration process of 25 youngsters from vulnerable backgrounds, especially from the child protection system. They acquire digital skills and competences that will help them in the future to continue their studies and get a job in the field they are interested in.
Good mind, good life, supported by Nestlé România
Good mind, good life is a programme aimed at young people between 16 and 26 years old, beneficiaries of the socio-professional integration services of The Social Incubator. From the experience with young people in this age group, it was revealed that they face various emotional and relationship problems. In order to prepare them for an independent life, it is necessary to support them to develop mechanisms for adapting to life in the community and for self-management in relation to others.
The project helps 10 young people from the institutionalised child protection system (residential centres, social apartments, foster care) for 5 months. They benefit from individual and group services and psychological counselling. The themes addressed: increasing self-confidence, developing self-perception, understanding one’s own functioning mechanisms, creating a better contact with reality, managing emotions and conflicts.
Control, supported by LexisNexis – RELX Group
We continue to be concerned about the serious problem of human trafficking and this is a key component of the “CONTROL” project. The programme also facilitates access to employment opportunities for young people from vulnerable backgrounds. At The Social Incubator, we also implemented a programme aimed at preventing human trafficking in 2015.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more difficult for young people from vulnerable backgrounds to access well-paid jobs. An obvious consequence is their difficulty in leading independent lives. Unfortunately, they very often fall prey to traffickers in the hope of securing a secure income.
Through the “CONTROL” project we are targeting a group of 300 young people from the child protection system to participate in workshops on human trafficking. Beneficiaries are recruited at national level. Of these/other 100 beneficiaries from the protection system receive individual vocational counselling sessions on the website bunincariera.ro.
Școala de Rideri, supported by Tazz
Through the “Școala de rideri (School of Riders)” programme, Tazz helpes the youths in foster care with the guidance they need to discover themselves and make the best choices for them. But also the possibility of having a job at the end of the program, as Tazz riders.
Meseria mea, viitorul meu
Finanțat prin intermediul apelului Conectare.Dezvoltare.Acces, dezvoltat de Fundația pentru Dezvoltarea Societății Civile, în parteneriat cu ENEL România.
Ziua V, supported by BRD-Group Société Générale
Under the auspices of “Ziua V (V DAY) – Volunteers for the Future”, the good people of BRD have signed up for The Social Incubator programs as mentors, tutors and speakers at Hobby Night.
Volunteer involvement began right in the pandemic, in April 2020, when young people in our programs needed support the most. In 2021 our collaboration was extended with another year of good deeds.
More than 100 volunteers from all over the country signed up for the project and chose to contribute to the education and development of young people from vulnerable backgrounds. Some of them have chosen to provide tutoring in various subjects and even help young people pass the Baccalaureate.
Other volunteers have chosen to become mentors and, regardless of distance, have built relationships online, encouraged young people and even become friends.
In Hobby Night events, volunteers discussed with young NEET’s about different topics: from music to mountain climbing. They also talked about their passions: photography, swimming, cycling, and held personal development workshops with interesting and diverse topics.
Cum să fii om mare, supported by B2Kapital
Through the project “Cum sa fii om mare” we support the social and professional integration of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Our project aimed to reach 150 young people from six counties: Vrancea, Olt, Buzău, Vaslui, Dolj, and Galați.
The young participants took part in 30 personal and professional development workshops on topics such as self-awareness, budgeting, employability, and understanding professional profiles, communication, and relationship-building – all designed to prepare them for their personal and professional futures.
Together with the participants, we created 150 vocational profiles. Additionally, 50 young people received personalized support: tutoring, mentoring, vocational counseling, labor market mediation, and psychotherapy.
The “Cum sa fii om mare” project is part of the first corporate social responsibility (CSR) platform launched by B2Kapital Portfolio Management – “Together We Create Opportunities for Children,” initiated in March 2021.
Start Now, supported by United Way România
Start NOW aims to facilitate the access of young people and adults from vulnerable backgrounds in Bucharest and Ilfov to the job market, according to their individual vocational profile.
Through this project, we support young people from vulnerable backgrounds in the transition to an independent and dignified life, which can be ensured through access to paid employment and associated social services. At the same time, the project develops a support system around vulnerable groups: vocational counsellors, social workers and employers.
Implementation period: 1 January 2022 – 1 January 2024
Project objectives
-To increase the level of information and awareness of the importance and necessity of participating in counselling and vocational guidance for 200 young people from vulnerable categories, especially young people from the child protection system.
-Involving 80 young people in a complex process of personal and professional development. This objective is put into practice by organising 30 thematic workshops on socio-professional development and awarding 7 qualification grants.
-Integrating 40 young people into the labour market through individual career counselling sessions and educational workshops.
ACUM – CHOOSING CAREERS AND PURSUING PROFESSIONS
The project “ACUM – Alegem Cariere și Urmăm Meserii” supports unemployed NEET youth aged 16 to 29 from the Central region, offering them the opportunity to develop professional skills and prepare for a successful career.
Within this project, young people from the counties of Alba, Mureș, Sibiu, Brașov, Covasna, and Harghita who are not enrolled in any form of education and do not have a job will have access to free vocational training courses.
Participants will acquire professional skills in various fields such as construction, commercial services, waste management, hairdressing, entrepreneurship, and basic digital skills. The project includes the following training courses:
The specific objectives of the project include developing the professional skills of the target group members as well as facilitating the integration of at least 380 individuals into the labor market through the job mediation program. Participants will receive final certifications and will be supported by responsible experts in identifying available positions and employers interested in hiring personnel.
The goal is professional training to help participants find suitable employment, equipping them with the necessary skills to be competitive in the job market.
The project is co-financed by the European Social Fund through the Human Capital Operational Program 2014-2020 and is part of Priority Axis 1: the “Jobs for Youth” initiative, under contract POCU/991/1/3/154318. Additionally, the job mediation program will assist the integration of the 380 individuals from the target group into the labor market.
The project was carried out in partnership with the Association for Organizational Development, Innovation, and Sustainability.
Acasă regăsit, supported by Vola.ro
In Romania, over 75,000 children have parents gone to work abroad and are left in the care of relatives, most often grandparents.
The Social Incubator and Vola.ro have launched a joint project to ease the longing of families separated by this distance.
Reconnect, susținut de United Way Romania
Proiectul, realizat în colaborare cu Asociația „Niciodată Singur, Prietenii Vârstnicilor”, presupune digitalizarea incluzivă pentru vârstnici și tineri din medii dezavantajate și
face parte din efortul internațional de a conecta grupurile vulnerabile prin tehnologie.Scopul proiectului este de a crește nivelul de digitalizare în rândul persoanelor din medii vulnerabile și de a reduce decalajul digital între grupul vârstnicilor și grupul tinerilor. Obiectivele proiectului vor fi realizate prin promovarea utilizării internetului și dobândirea de competențe digitale prin diverse activități de formare și ateliere de lucru.
MAGIS MUNDI, supported BY Booking Holdings Center of Excellence Bucharest
MAGIS MUNDI’s objective is to support those who are seeking a change in their career path in the technology sector and to balance the workforce in this sector where women are underrepresented.
The program aims both at providing equal opportunities and facilitating social and professional integration by organizing free training courses and personal and professional development workshops, supported by the Booking Holdings Center of Excellence Bucharest and The Social Incubator.
Beneficiaries have access to a wide range of resources and support, which integrate both technical knowledge in the field of Cyber Detection & Response, Data Security, IT Security, Fraud Detection, Data Governance & Analytics and Data Privacy, as well as Soft Skills, to enhance their career path.
The program is conducted in English and has three main components:
For more details and enrollment please click here.
TOGETHER FOR UKRAINE, SUPPORTED BY CARE International UK, SERA Romania, FONPC, HP andMercy Corps
We are all “Together for Ukraine” and for supporting Ukrainian refugees in Romania, with the help of CARE International UK, SERA Romania, FONPC, HP and Mercy Corps.The project’s main directions are:– Providing immediate support to refugees by supplying essential goods such as food, hygiene products, professional counseling and mediation for access to the labor market in Romania, as well as logistical assistance for youth and children education and facilitating access to medical services and medicines.– Ensuring the supply and renovation of centers to provide a minimum of comfort to refugees who are forced to live in these facilities for long periods of time.– Undertaking activities aimed at socio-professional integration, including organizing job fairs, providing career counseling and coordinating recreational activities to promote a sense of community and well-being.– „Report on the needs and difficulties encountered by Ukrainian refugees in Bucharest – Subjective perceptions and evaluations” (see report)
Incubator de viitor, susținut de ORANGE România
Scopul proiectului Incubator de Viitor este sa ofere pentru 50 de tineri instituționalizați și/sau aflați in alte situații de risc cu varste cuprinse intre 16 și 26 de ani accesul la educație care sa sustina integrarea socio-profesionala pe termen lung.