Study Visit: ‘The Role of NGOs in Upskilling Vulnerable People’
We are pleased to invite you to take part in the study visit ‘The Role of NGOs in Upskilling Vulnerable People,’ taking place on 3–4 June 2025 in Madrid, Spain. This event forms part of our ongoing Community of Practice on Employment, Education and Skills activities, which explore how NGOs help bridge skills gaps and tackle labour shortages through upskilling initiatives supported by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
This event will bring together ESF+ stakeholders, NGOs, and Managing Authorities to examine the social economy’s vital role in providing work-based learning and training for socially disadvantaged groups, including the Roma community. Participants will gain insight into the Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE) model, engage with organisations such as Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG), and visit successful WISE initiatives that support employment and vocational training.
| Time (CEST) | Topic and speaker |
|---|---|
| 09:00 - 09:30 |
Welcome coffee and registration
|
| 09:30 - 09:45 |
Opening and Welcome
TBC
|
| 09:45 - 10:00 |
Introduction to the topic
Jörg Markowitsch,
Thematic expert of the CoP on Employment, Education and Skills
|
| 10:00 - 10:20 |
Keynote: Training in the Social Economy and the Role of ESF in Spain
Fernando Marhuenda-Fluixá,
University of Valencia, Spain
|
| 10:20 - 10:30 |
Q&A
|
| 10:30 - 10:50 |
The Acceder Programme for the employment of Roma and the role of ESF+ in targeting vulnerable people
Belén Sánchez-Rubio,
Director International Department, Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG)
|
| 10:50 - 11:05 |
The Acceder programme: training initiatives
Miriam Fernández,
Director Training Department, Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG)
|
| 11:05 - 11:15 |
Q&A
|
| 11:15 - 11:45 |
Coffee Break
|
| 11:45 - 13:00 |
Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) and introduction to site visits
Álvaro Gutiérrez, Director of the Auto Employment and Social Economy Department, Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG)
Daniel Emeric, UZIPEN Further representatives of WISE (TBC) |
| 13:00 - 14:30 |
Lunch
|
| 14:30 - 18:30 |
Site visits
Site Visit A: https://www.uzipen.es/
Site Visit B: TBC |
| 18:30 - 20:30 |
Free time
|
| 20:30 - 22:00 |
Dinner
|
| Time (CEST) | Topic and speaker |
|---|---|
| 09:30 - 11:30 |
Workshops & Feedback from Site Visits
Workshop & Feedback from Site Visit A
Moderated by Jörg Markowitsch, Thematic expert of the CoP on Employment, Education and Skills Workshop & Feedback from Site Visit B Moderated by Márton Csillag, Thematic expert of the CoP on Employment, Education and Skills |
| 11:30 - 12:00 |
Coffee Break
|
| 12:00 - 13:30 |
Presentation of Group Work & Good Practices of other Member States
|
| 13:30 - 13:45 |
Social Innovation Match: A Database of Inspiring Initiatives
Reda Beržinskaitė,
Expert, European Competence Centre for Social Innovation
|
| 14:00 - 15:00 |
Lunch
|
| 15:00 - 16:30 |
Panel discussion: How to enhance NGOs’ role in upskilling vulnerable people through ESF+ support?
|
| 16:30 - 17:00 |
Concluding Remarks
Laura Mangeng, Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
Rasa Micevičienė, Coordinator of the CoP on Employment, Education and Skills |
| 17:00 - 18:00 |
Dinner buffet
|