International co-operation
Vates Foundation is a member of various international organizations, such as European Union of Supported Employment (EUSE), Workability International (WI) ja Social Firms Europe CEFEC (CEFEC), whose aim is to promote the employment and equality of people with disabilities and people with long-term illnesses. With these organizations we exchange information and do development and advocating work on an established basis at European level e.ga. in EU Commission.
Vates also transmits international call requests and project offers to organizations in Finland. We also receive foreign study groups. Groups are charged for the expenses.
Workability International is the world’s largest body representing providers of work and employment services to people with disabilities. More than three million people with disabilities are engaged in work programmes, accessing employment and work, delivered by many member organizations in more than 40 countries.
Contact person in Vates: Managing Director Jaana Pakarinen, jaana.pakarinen@vates.fi
European Union of Supported Employment (EUSE)
The European Union of Supported Employment (EUSE) was established in 1993 to facilitate the development of Supported Employment throughout Europe. Supported Employment assists people with significant disabilities (physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory and hidden) to access real employment opportunities, of their own choice, in an integrated setting with appropriate ongoing support to become economically and socially active in their own communities.
EUSE works to achieve this through the promotion of the Supported Employment model, the exchange of information and knowledge on good practice in Supported Employment and the development of model services. EUSE provides a platform for networking with other organisations and associations at European and worldwide level.
Contact person in Vates: Development Manager Kaija Ray, kaija.ray(at)vates.fi
CEFC has members from 22 European countries, all working towards the common goal of social and economic integration of disabled and disadvantaged people through employment.
Contact person in Vates: Employment Planning Officer, The role of organizations in the municipal experiment -project, Anne Kallio, anne.kallio@vates.fi