Empowering Immigrants in Europe with HEIDI-Project:

Moving to a new country can be tough, especially for highly educated immigrants trying to continue their careers in Europe. Despite having valuable skills, many immigrants face challenges due to cultural differences and complicated, bureaucratic procedures. The European job market often struggles to recognize and utilize immigrants’ expertise, making it hard for them to find meaningful work or access education programs that match their qualifications.

The HEIDI-project wants to do something about this. We aim to create easy-to-use tools that guide immigrants and support organizations in navigating the European labor market. Our goal is to help them make the most of their skills and, in turn, benefit the communities they join.

Erasmus+ is supporting the three-year project, which ends in November 2026, with 400.000 €. Norway´s Furim Institute is the leader organization, while a variety of interdisciplinary organizations from Austria, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Spain and Croatia are partner organizations.

How HEIDI will help

To support highly educated immigrants in finding their way in the European job market, the HEIDI-project is focusing on:

• Digital skill assessment: We are developing online tools that help immigrants showcase their skills, making it easier for employers to see their potential.

• Boosting soft skills: We are providing support to align immigrants' soft skills, like communication and teamwork, with what employers are looking for.

• Bringing people together: We facilitate collaboration between educational centers, career advisors, employers, and immigrant organizations to create a strong support network.

• Supporting integration: We are working with public sector organizations to make the integration process smoother and more efficient.

Who benefits?

Our project primarily supports highly educated adult immigrants who are looking for employment in Europe. In addition, educational centers, employers, career advisors, and government agencies will also benefit from the tools and resources we are creating.

What makes us unique?

The HEIDI-project stands out because of our innovative approach:

• Unique toolkit: We are creating a toolkit with interactive elements like videos and infographics to help immigrants, educators, and employers work together more effectively.

• Online Certification Platform: We are building a platform to certify immigrants' skills, making it easier for them to prove their qualifications to potential employers.

• Diverse team: Our project partners come from different countries and professional backgrounds, bringing a wide range of expertise to tackle the challenges immigrants face in Europe.

Making an impact

The HEIDI-project is designed to make a real difference:

• For immigrants: We are making it easier for them to find jobs that match their skills and plan their careers in Europe.

• For organizations: Educational centers and career advisors will gain new tools to better support immigrants.

• For employers: Businesses will have access to better ways to assess and hire qualified immigrants.

The HEIDI-project is here to support highly educated immigrants in finding their way in the European job market. By creating innovative tools and bringing together key stakeholders, we are working towards a more inclusive and prosperous future for everyone involved.

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