SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 30 Aug (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Director General of Youth for the Government of the Canary Islands, Daniel Morales, convened a meeting this Thursday with Third Sector organisations to inform them that beginning next year, the Canary Islands will access new European funds dedicated to aiding the independence of young individuals who are care leavers and who, until reaching adulthood, have resided in governmental care facilities or are at risk of social exclusion.
The director also shared that, from next year, the allocation of these funds will occur through a competitive grants programme to subsidise the projects they propose, financed by the European Social Fund ESF+ until 2027 for the initiative ‘Preparation for progressive autonomy and independent living of young people who have exited care or are at risk of exclusion.’
Daniel Morales articulated to the organisations that “the vision of the General Directorate is that the grant application process will enable funding not only for training pathways designed to assist them in securing employment but also for essential expenses that are crucial for promoting their personal autonomy, such as housing, food, healthcare, transport, and activities related to leisure and free time.”
“We are providing them with an opportunity to soar, but we must equip them with the necessary tools and financial backing to ensure they can embark on their journey just as most families do for their children when they reach 18,” he stated in a message circulated by the Executive.
NEARLY FIVE HUNDRED YOUNG PEOPLE RECEIVED SUPPORT IN FOUR YEARS
Since 2001, the General Directorate of Youth has been supporting a variety of social integration and independence projects for young individuals over 18 years of age who have come from protective measures (primarily in residential care) and who, upon becoming adults with the cessation of these protective measures, are no longer under the guardianship of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. This includes young people facing or at risk of social exclusion who lack the ability to live independently and do not have family or social networks available to provide the essential support required for their social and employment integration and independence.
Over the past four years, Juventud has aided 452 young people over the age of 18 who are at risk of social exclusion and who, until reaching adulthood, were in government residential care facilities under some form of protection.
Currently, the Canary Islands Government maintains two distinct types of resources.
As outlined by the general director, “on one hand, there are flats for young people facing or at risk of social exclusion, former wards, who cannot live independently due to a lack of family support, necessitating a temporary socio-educational cohabitation alternative; and, on the other hand, there are resources aimed at youth at risk who are living with their family or in alternative housing but require support and guidance to advance and achieve social and employment integration and independence.”
Sheltered accommodation and social integration projects for young adults who have transitioned from care and are facing social challenges offer essential support and guidance to facilitate their training and employment opportunities.
To achieve this, individual emancipation plans are created to enhance the autonomy of each young person, as well as their social and employment integration and independence.
Access to these resources is determined by the vulnerability profile of each individual. Participation is voluntary, and their continued involvement is contingent upon their acceptance of the regulations governing self-management, which is continuously supervised by educational professionals.
