Equal On The Labour Market: Final conference in Zagreb

The conference marked the official conclusion of the project „Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands: Employment and Entrepreneurship“ and served as a platform for presenting key outputs, sharing practical experiences, and initiating a transnational network connecting organisations, formal education providers, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

A space for learning, exchange, and connection

Organised by Savez gluhih i nagluhih grada Zagreba, the event gathered representatives of civil society organisations, educational institutions, youth workers, trainers, employers, and policymakers. The programme focused on improving access to the labour market for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, with strong emphasis on inclusive education, employability skills, and cooperation between sectors.

Participants explored:

• Project-developed tools and educational resources
• Practical approaches to inclusive vocational education and training
• Real-life challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing job seekers
• Examples of successful cooperation between NGOs, education providers, and employers

Through presentations, discussions, and networking sessions, the conference created a shared understanding of how inclusive practices can be strengthened at both local and European levels.

Learning Library’s contribution

As a project partner, Learning Library OÜ (Estonia) contributed its expertise in digital learning, accessible online education, and non-formal methodologies. Our focus throughout the project has been on transforming project outcomes into practical, learner-friendly educational formats that can be reused by educators, youth workers, and organisations working with diverse target groups.

During the conference, Learning Library presented:

• Digital and blended-learning outputs developed within the project
• Approaches for adapting online learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners
• Opportunities for future cooperation through shared platforms and networks

This final event also confirmed the strong added value of cross-sector and cross-country collaboration, especially when addressing complex challenges such as inclusion in the labour market.

Towards a sustainable European network

One of the key outcomes of the conference was the official initiation of a cooperation network linking civil society organisations, educational institutions, and SMEs. This network aims to:

• Continue exchanging knowledge and good practices
• Support inclusive employability initiatives beyond the project lifecycle
• Strengthen links between education and the labour market
• Develop future joint projects and pilot actions