Learning Labs for Equal Rights (LLER)
Beneficiaries: Consortium consisting of LEPL Ilia State University and LEPL Gori State University
Project Name: Learning Labs for Equal Rights (LLER)
Implementation Dates: 09/2023-03/2025
Total Project Cost: 534 944.55 GEL
Grant Amount: 510 544.55 GEL
Description
The goal of the project is to create a multidisciplinary/multiprofessional learning practical laboratories (hub) promoting employment in the higher education system in order to strengthen the social integration of disabled people and their involvement in the supporting community. In particular, the formation of 8 laboratories is envisaged. 4 laboratories will be organized at Ilia State University (Unifood – Ligamus (healthy food corner), photocopying point/publishing center – Fablab – wooden products manufacturing point, “Meeting Garden”- for social activities for students and other interested persons), and 4 laboratories will be organized at Gori State University: vineyard/ Caring for fruit trees, bread bakery, wine-making, computer lab. The project also envisages the creation of a skills development model, the development of social work and psychology academic programs, the creation of continuous education mini-modules, and the promotion of employment of disabled people.
Activities
The relevant laboratories are being formed during the implementation of the project. At the same time, disabled people, craft teachers, support specialists and researchers were recruited and started working in the laboratories. Also, students of psychology and social work programs undergo practical work in the labs. It should be noted that as a result of the visit to Georgia, training in social pedagogy was conducted for the project implementation team and students by Spanish international experts. Also, Georgian academic staff visited Spain and Norway to improve their qualifications with help of international partners. A meeting with employer organizations was also held at Ilia State University. About 40 representatives of social enterprises, non-governmental organizations, state organizations and the business sector attended the meeting.
At this stage of the project laboratory work and gathering empirical data for developing skills models is actively underway. Also, meetings with potential employers for creating a network of employment of disabled people and academic staff qualification enhancing training continue.
For the final stage, the results of the project will be published in the relevant articles, a conference will be held and an electronic page adapted for disabled people will be created.
Sustainability
Well-equipped scientific, practical laboratories (hubs) will be developed at Ilia State University and Gori State University, which will continue scientific work even after the end of the project. Crafts will be maintained in these laboratories, which will work on self-financing (For example, bakery, cafe, etc). At the same time, the academic staff will publish constantly updated information on the website developed within the project for interested parties.