W.I.N. launches to promote more inclusive vocational education and employment

On 1 October 2025, a two-year Erasmus+ project began: W.I.N. – Work Inclusion and Diversity Enhancement Programme and Awareness-Raising Campaign for Private-Sector Professionals and VET Institutions.

The project aims to strengthen the inclusion of people with disabilities in vocational education and training and in the labour market, while addressing challenges that remain highly relevant across Europe: insufficient progress in inclusive education, limited employer preparedness, and a significant employment gap between people with and without disabilities.

Currently, only around half of working-age people with disabilities are employed. W.I.N. aims to contribute to changing this situation by strengthening:

• the capacity of vocational education and training institutions to apply Universal Design for Learning principles;
• the competences of employers and HR professionals to create accessible workplaces;
• the readiness of organisations to build sustainable and diversity-supportive cultures;
• the opportunities for people with disabilities to participate more actively in learning and professional life.

During the project, partners will analyse European good practices, develop training programmes for VET educators, employers, HR professionals and people with disabilities, and organise training activities, stakeholder discussions and practical in-company inclusion workshops.

The first meeting of the eight project partners from seven European countries has already taken place. During the meeting, the partners introduced their organisations, discussed the main project activities, expected results, timelines, administrative structure and principles of cooperation.

A two-year journey has begun with one clear goal: to make inclusion not only an ambition or a formal requirement, but a natural part of vocational education, training and the workplace.