EhAP Plus - Integration helps counter the exclusion of the most deprived

EhAP Plus supports particularly disadvantaged newly arrived EU citizens, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and their children under 18. It aims to improve their living conditions and increase their participation in society. The programme reaches out to people locally, provides individual advice and, where necessary, offers longer-term support. It helps them find and access suitable support services.

Target groups

The programme is aimed at:

• particularly disadvantaged newly arrived EU citizens and their children under 18
• people who are homeless and their children under 18
• people at risk of homelessness and their children under 18.

Activities

Funding is provided for services that:

• reach out to people and provide readily accessible advice
• make it easier to access existing social support services
• provide longer-term support where needed
• provide information about employment-related support
• bolster cooperation with existing local support services
• raise professionals’ awareness of the circumstances and needs of the target groups.

How the programme supports people

Examples of activities funded by the programme include:

• personal advice and outreach counselling
• accompanying people to suitable support services and advice centres
• longer-term individual support, generally for up to twelve months and, in justified cases, beyond that period
• readily accessible information about employment-related services
• information and referrals through social media
• training for staff in public authorities, social institutions and other support services on the circumstances of the target groups, antigypsyism and anti-discrimination.

These activities complement existing local support services and strengthen their impact.

People interested in an activity funded by the programme must contact an EhAP Plus project directly.

Current projects and locations

EhAP Plus projects aim in particular to reach people who find it difficult to access mainstream support services. They help people find suitable services and actually use them. The project list shows where EhAP Plus projects operate.

In addition to the local projects, a nationwide online pilot project, “Social Media Streetwork", reaches out to people through social media. It provides initial information and directs people to suitable advice and support services. It also targets people whom local support services have so far been unable to reach. The project also aims to counter misinformation on social media and support regional EhAP Plus projects.