EuBiBaM – European vocational training for young adults with intellectual disabilities as a bridge to the general labour market

People with disabilities in Europe continue to face significant disadvantages in the general labour market compared to the general population. Currently, only around half of people with disabilities are employed, with young people in particular experiencing structural barriers when transitioning from school to training or employment. These transitions are critical milestones for long-term participation in working life, yet young adults with intellectual disabilities are especially at risk of exclusion.

Although there are differences between countries, there has been a lack of systematic comparative research to identify which specific factors within the vocational education and training systems of European countries contribute to the successful transition of people with intellectual disabilities into the general labour market, and what the reasons for these differences in transition are.

The aim of the EuBiBam project is therefore to establish and expand a European network that brings together stakeholders from academia, educational institutions, vocational rehabilitation, integration services and educational policy decision-makers. The network will facilitate cross-border exchange on transition processes into vocational training and the general labour market for people with disabilities. In addition, the aim is to create the structural conditions within this network to develop a joint application for a transnational research project in the context of the European funding programme Horizon Europe, which will enable a systematic comparison of the transition processes outlined above.

The EuBiBam project (funding code: 13HAW35EN5) is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) as part of the funding guideline „HAW-EuropaNetzwerke“ of the research funding programme „Research at UAS“.

Project lead

Prof. Dr. Gregor Renner – gregor.renner@kh-freiburg.de

Research associates

Hatice Eldiven - hatice.eldiven@kh-freiburg.de

Hannah Speth - hannah.speth@kh-freiburg.de

Project duration

October 2025 – September 2026