Facilitating employment in two deprived neighbourhoods of Miskolc

Abstract

The employment and social integration of vulnerable and marginalised groups is a challenging task for professionals in many fields. Members of these groups are often concentrated in segregated areas, slums, where several problems co-exist, including difficulties in employment and employability. The central question is how to facilitate, support and improve the employment, social integration and living conditions of people living in slums, despite the obstacles. However, to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of interventions, it is necessary to think in terms of collaborations, knowledge sharing, and innovative methods rather than relying solely on traditional solutions. This is what the 4IM project, initiated by the Municipality of Miskolc under the EaSI framework programme, launched at the end of 2021 with the support of the European Union, is all about. In my role as a part-time employee, I was able to follow and describe the employment development process of the project, essentially as a participant observer. This was complemented by an analysis of the documents produced during the period, and a case study was created in the deprived neighbourhoods of Bábonyibérc and Tetemvár, the project intervention areas. It is a time-consuming and volatile process, with a rough road and risks, but the initial results are encouraging despite the small number of participants. Re-integration and career guidance sessions have been implemented, a visit to a plant was conducted, 34 people received individual employment counselling, some found jobs and the activity of the population in general has increased. During this time, interprofessional relations have been built and strengthened.