NEAR - NEw sociAl seRvices: innovative tools and skills for person-centred and community-based social models
The NEAR project will be implemented in 2023-2026. The project has been funded by the Interreg Europe programme. LAB is involved as a partner and the main implementer of the project is the Regional Government of Navarre from Spain. The project operates on two levels: at the regional level in Päijät-Häme and at the international level with the partner regions. In addition to LAB, partners from the Czech Republic, Belgium and Italy, as well as the Wellbeing services county of Päijät-Häme, are participating in the project.
Dialogue skills training event in LAB UAS 24.1.2024
Study visit in Vysočina, Czech Republic 6.-9.11.2023
Study visit in Pamplona, Spain 31.5–1.6.2023 video
Objectives
NEAR aims to support regions to develop or improve person-centered community-based social models that intervene both with the person (seeking the maximum development of their capacities) and in their relational environments (seeking to maximise the primary support that the person receives). The adoption of these models implies a change in professional praxis, from a role of expert to a role of accompaniment, provision of support, guidance, and motivation. NEAR will identify approaches and methodologies for professional action that facilitate this change and will transfer good practices in training social service professionals for the new praxis.
An innovative project approach with a strong focus on in-depth learning will be organized around 5 learning events dedicated to the different challenges faced by the model change, bringing real cases from 4 different regions of Spain, the Czech Republic, Finland, Belgium, and the national experience of Italy. Study visits and peer-review workshops organized back-to-back to the learning events and staff exchanges will complete the learning route.
Outcomes
NEAR will deliver 20 Good Practices on tools, skills and trainings, 4 Regional Diagnosis and the NEAR project guide “Towards person-centered community-based social models in Europe”.
As a result of the project's activities and international cooperation, good practices and tools related to the development of social services will be learned. In this way, the content and implementation of the regional inclusion programme will be affected. Organisations and employees providing social services receive new tools and competences for customer engagement and agency through new knowledge.
