The PEGASUS project’s main and direct target group is formed by young women, aged 18-29, from NEETs, most of whom come from small settlements, with marked deficits in communication, social and labour inclusion. These deficits hinder them in gaining useful competencies that would help them take part in the labour market and consequently become economically independent. Part of this group consists of women with rheumatic diseases who, as a result of the course of the disease, have low social and employment performance. The second target group are growing SMEs of the creative industry, which are active in cultural & digital services or performing arts and need to adjust to the new economic development framework incorporating digital technologies and circular economy schemes. Finally, a third target group of the project consists of VET providers, who will have the opportunity to freely use the PEGASUS OER (Open Educational Resources) for adapting their training to the needs of the market in green and digital transitions and new economic cycles.

The main aim of the project is strengthening employability of young people, through targeted training and MOOC, to improve their social, soft and digital skills, and through adapting vocational education and training to labour market needs. Another important objective is to promote inclusion and diversity in all fields, which the project will endorse through addressing women NEET from disadvantaged rural areas and (in part) suffering from rheumatic diseases.

After the training of trainers, during the Pilot Training phase, 3 training sessions will take place online, in the national language of each country. During this time, the young women will be able to improve their soft skills through targeted training using resources and techniques originating from the performance arts, and their digital skills through two streams focused, respectively, on basic digital skills and digital media/graphic design.

Project’s consortium is made up by CRE.THI.DEV. (Greece), which will contribute with its extensive experience in digital upskilling, with long-lasting relationships with VET providers and with the development of Open Educational Resources (OER). Ipazia will bring an added value due to its experience in training on soft skills and on teaching and learning tools for the education of unemployed youngsters. Its expertise in face-to-face theater-based labs for job-seekers can help target groups to personal development, to actively promote their employability and tackle their feeling of social exclusion and participation in economic life and in the job market.

Furthermore, HATI – Health Activity and Technologies Institute (Bulgaria) will be in charge with the the implementation of an educational policy in order to increase the skills, qualifications and integration of the young patients and disadvantaged NEETS, especially ill and with disabilities, in order to access the job market. Ipazia Production (Romania), as beneficiary, is the project coordinator.