Internships. Housing. Civil Service. Entrepreneurship. Employment. Education and Training

a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent Internships Housing Civil Service Entrepreneurship Employment Education and Training

T o do an internship, choose to train abroad, dive into a new business idea or do a year in civil service is what young people really want and need. Even in times of crisis, they are ready to test themselves and, using their talents, start heading down the road towards independence. Regione Toscana has responded to the desires and needs of young people by making them the focal point of their policies through the project Giovanisì. It goes without saying that Tuscany has not been a happy place in recent years. The crisis has hit hard and young people and women are bearing the brunt of its force. What makes Tuscany different is not the nature of our problems, but the way we are attempting to tackle them. Giovanisì looks towards the future, or rather at the present, since the present creates the future, towards independence, dignity in work and concrete opportunities. We are not simply talking about making plans, we have made them. We are also providing resources to support our plans: since June 2011 over 400 million has been made available. We want to guarantee the right (because it is a right) to quality education, professional training, work in local civil service, entry into the world of work and professions. To this end we are providing funding, introductions to the world of business and contributions towards paying rent. In this guide you will find all the information you need to know about Giovanisì. Make good use of it and good luck. Enrico Rossi President of Regione Toscana

Introduction The main objective of Giovanisì, a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent, is to guarantee dynamic work opportunities to a generation at risk of success. The project aims to develop young people s skills and qualities and make work, social participation and being independent more stable. The focal point of Tuscany s future is to give young people a future again ; young people are not a group to be helped, but a resource to invest in. To this end Regione Toscana has tidied up and supplemented policies for young young people already in place and improved them with new intervention strategies. Giovanisì is a package of opportunities financed by national, regional and European funds focusing on 6 main areas (Internships, Housing, Civil Service, Entrepreneurship, Employment, Education and Training). The project has five main goals: 1. to encourage young people to become independent from their families 2. to improve opportunities in education, training, learning and specialisation 3. to create work programmes to help people into the world of work 4. to make it easier to start-up a business 5. to create more opportunities to work and train abroad The project is aimed at 18 to 40 year olds; different age restrictions apply to different areas of the project. 1

Internships > Giovanisì, a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent Internships To give young people the chance to train and prepare for the world of work, Regione Toscana co-funds non-curricular internships in the public and private sector in Tuscany. Who? Young people Companies 18 to 30 year olds Companies or public bodies throughout Tuscany (No age limit applies for people with a disability or people from disadvantaged backgrounds) What? Regione Toscana co-funds the internship by providing 300 to reimburse expenses and encourages companies to provide the interns with a contract How? The young person will find their own internship at a company or public body, or one of our promoters will help them* Companies and bodies will select the young person and start the process through one of our promoters* Deadline The project is available until funds run out *WHO ARE OUR PROMOTERS? employment centres; bilateral bodies; employer or employee unions; universities; 2 cooperatives on the regional register of social cooperatives and consortiums; not-for-profit organisations on the regional list of accredited bodies permitted to carry out work services; associations on the regional register of voluntary organisations.

Regional Law 3/2012 Amendment to Regional Law n.32 of 2002 in reference to non-curricular internships Young people aged 18 to 30 (before 30th birthday) who are residents of or live in Tuscany Regione Toscana provides 300 of the 500 required monthly to go towards covering the intern s expenses. After the internship Regione Toscana encourages private companies to provide the intern with a permanent or fixed term contract (for a minimum of 2 years). For people with a disability or who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, no age restrictions apply, the full 500 is covered and the economic incentives are higher. The young person will find their own internship at a company or public body, or one of our promoters will help them* PAID INTERNSHIPS DURING EDUCATION In order to promote internships durin g education (bachelor, master degree or PHD) for young people aged 18 to 32, Regio ne Toscana approved an agreement with all the Universities and schools of higher educa tion in Tuscany. Regione Toscana provides 300 of the 500 required monthly to go towar ds covering the intern s expenses for intern ships which last at least 300 hours. Unlike non-curricular (Regional Law 3/2012), companies or public bodies throughou t Tuscany are not obliged to pay intern ships during education. The organisation managing the schem e on behalf of Regione Toscana is the DSU (Regione Toscana Agency for the Right to Unive rsity Education). www.dsu.toscana.it Rules and regulations Regional Law 3/2012 Amendment to Regional Law n.32 of 2002 in reference to non-curricular internships Who is the project aimed at? Public bodies or private companies with legal headquarters or work premises based in Tuscany that have at least one permanent employee (excluding companies working with traditional crafts). What is it? Regione Toscana provides 300 of the 500 required monthly to go towards covering the intern s expenses. Private companies can also ask for an economic incentive of 8,000 if they employ the intern with a permanent contract and of 4,000 if they take on the intern for a fixed period of at least 2 years. For people with a disability or who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, no age restrictions apply, the full 500 is covered and the incentive is 10,000 for a permanent contract and 5,000 for a fixed-term contract lasting no less than 2 years. Applications for the scheme will be considered in the order they are received. Terms of access are How does it work stated in the public announceand who do i ment and the scheme is available contact? until funds run out. The process must be started by one of our promoters* PAID APPRENTICESHIPS For a maximum of 12 months Regione Toscana is providing financial assistance to employers offering apprenticeships (who opt to pay their staff), by giving young people aged between 18 and 32 in (non)mandator y apprenticeships at least 500 a month to learn their profession. The process can be started online via the website provided by the Consorzio Professional Service (progettogiovani.cpstoscana.it), the organisation managing the scheme on behalf of Regione Toscana. The project is available until funds run out. INTERNSHIPS AT TH REGIONAL COUNCIL:E Regione Toscana is offe ring recent graduates non-curricular internships at the regiona l council. The internships will be dec lared in a public announcement. The internships last a maximu m of 6 months and, in accordan ce with Regional Law 3/2012, inte rns are entitled to a sum of 50 0 (pre-tax) a month to cover expenses. 3

Housing > Giovanisì, a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent Housing Regione Toscana will contribute towards paying young people s rent to help them to move out from their parent s house and become independent. The level of contribution varies according to the young person s income and whether they have children. Young people aged between 18 and 34, who have been living at home in Tuscany for the past 2 years are eligible to apply. Applicants will rent a place of their own or live with others* Who? Young people between the ages of 18 and 34 living with their parents in Tuscany What? Regione Toscana helps young people by making a contribution of between 150 and 350 a month to pay the rent for 3 years How? The young person will apply when a public announcement is made. If the application is successful, the young person has 180 days to find a normal rent contract lasting at least 3 years. * Moving out from the parent s house and living independently means that the young person has formed or wishes to form one of the following types of household: a) a single parent family with children (family with one parent and one or more dependent children living at home) b) a married couple c) a couple consisting of children who come from two different families 4 d) single people, including people who are legally separated (court ruling) e) two or more young people who are not related, wanting to live together and share the burdens and responsibilities regarding the lease and rent of the accommodation

Rules and regulations Regional Law 65/2010 Measures supporting young people to live independently Who is the project aimed at? The project is aimed at young people aged between 18 and 34 (priority is given to 30-34 year olds), who have been living at home in Tuscany for at least two years and who want to move out and rent their own accommodation. Young people with a disability are eligible for a reward. What is it? Regione Toscana helps young people by contributing towards their rent for three years. Contributions vary between 150 and 350 a month, depending on the young person s income and whether they have children. How does it work and who do i contact? Public announcements will periodically be made declaring the scheme open. Applications can only be made when the scheme is open and a rent contract must be taken out and shown to the Regione within 180 days of the application having been declared successful. The contribution towards rent is paid at the beginning of each week. THE RENT CONTRACT must be taken out and shown to Regione Toscana within 180 days of the application having been declared successful, but not before the deadline of the scheme has passed; cannot be for a part of a house/apartment etc. or for single rooms, but must be for a whole house/apartment etc.; must last for at least three years; must be in the name of the successful candidate (or successful candidates for couples). RULES: The rented accommodation must be in Tuscany and meet housing standards; Successful candidates must move into the accommodation within 90 days of the rent contract being taken out; The house/apartment cannot be the place of residence of any persons other than the successful candidate(s); Payment to the landlord or landlady must be made via bank transfer or transfers made at the post office. 5

Civil service > Giovanisì, a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent Civil service To increase the number of opportunities in and improve the experience of civil service, a number of regional projects have been launched in addition to national projects that are currently running. The opportunities are in the fields of healthcare, the environment, education, culture, social care, civil defence, immigration, the protection of consumers interests, equal opportunities, fair and ethical trading and international cooperation. Who? Young people Organisations on the list of regional civil service organisations aged between 18 and 30 (The scheme is extended to the age of 35 for young people with a disability) Regione Toscana is funding regional civil service projects for young people for a period of 12 months What? Regione Toscana is funding projects, giving accredited organisations the chance to employ young people in civil service for a period of 12 months How? When a relevant scheme is declared open by public announcement, young people apply directly to the organisation they are interested in. 6 When a relevant scheme is declared open by public announcement, organisations can put forward projects in the aforementioned fields

Regional Law 7/2012 Amendment to the Regional Law of the 25th July 2006, n. 35 The establishment of regional civil service Young people aged between 18 and 30 who are studying or working in Tuscany. The scheme is extended to the age of 35 for young people with a disability. Regione Toscana will pay young people 433 a month (for 12 months) to work in civil service When the scheme has been declared open by public announcement, young people select their project of interest and make their application directly to the organisation providing the opportunity. If selected, the young person will work as a civil servant for the organisation. Rules and regulations Regional Law 7/2012 Amendment to the Regional Law of the 25th July 2006, n. 35 The establishment of regional civil service Who is the project aimed at? Organisations on the list of regional civil service organisations What is it? Regione Toscana is funding regional civil service projects in various fields to give accredited organisations the chance to employ young people for a period of 12 months How does it work and who do i contact? Once their project (put forward when the scheme was declared open) has been approved, the organisation selects which young people they would like to employ. Regione Toscana will then approve the list of candidates selected for service in the project they are funding, enabling candidates to start civil service. 7

Entrepreneurship > Giovanisì, a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent Entrepreneurship To make it easier for young people to start up a business, a new regional law has been issued widening the types of business activities eligible for funding, thereby increasing the number of potential beneficiaries. Businesses working in technology and others fields are able to benefit from these changes. Who? aged between 18 and 40 (no age restriction applies for women and people on benefits) What? Regione Toscana is making things easier for new or growing small and medium sized businesses with legal headquarters or work premises based in Tuscany How? Please contact Fidi Toscana Giovani for more information and to start procedures Deadline 8 Young people The scheme is open until the 30th April 2015

Rules and regulations Regional Law 28/2011 Amendment to Regional Law n. 21 of 2008 Promoting entrepreneurship amongst young people, women and workers receiving benefits Who is the project aimed at? New or growing small and medium sized businesses with legal headquarters or work premises based in Tuscany consisting of: - people aged up to 40 (before 40th birthday) - women and workers receiving benefits (no age restrictions apply) What is it? Regional Law is supporting start-ups by introducing a package of benefits which include: - a guaranteed 80% of required investment up to a maximum of 250,000 ; - a contribution to reduce interest rates (equal to 50% of accrued amount of interest from guaranteed funding up to a maximum of 5,000 for the same accepted guaranteed funding); - accepting minority interest in business capital How does it work and who do i contact? Applications for the scheme will be considered in the order they are received. Terms of access are stated in the public announcement and the scheme is available until the 30th April 2015. Fidi Toscana Giovani is managing the scheme; they have set up eight information points across the region. Start the application process by completing the forms found on Fidi Toscana Giovani s website (www.fiditoscanagiovani.it). ESTABLISHING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN AGRICULTURE Young people between the age of 18 and 40 (before 40th birthday) intending to set up an agricultural business in Tuscany can take advantage of special measures aimin g to make it easier to invest in agriculture. Young entrepreneurs in agriculture can not only win a prize for their first business, but they can make use of other funding opportuni ties for (eligible) investments stated in their business plan. Eligible investments include mode rnising agricultural businesses (measure 121), diversification into non-agricultural activities (measure 311) as well as other meas ures which are stated in the Plan for Rural Devel opment. FUND FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS rt Regione Toscana s regulation to suppo innovation in intellectual professions promotes a revolving fund offering guarantees to young professionals. The following people are eligible for the guarantee: 1. young professionals under the age of 2. people undergoing training or doing internships under the age of 30 40 s 3. professional institutes or association working within Tuscany 9

Employment > Giovanisì, a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent Employment To promote stable employment and combat temporary work, Regione Toscana has approved year-long public announcements helping businesses supporting employment. Unemployed women over the age of 30 Who? Companies who are members of Chambers of Commerce based in Tuscany Graduates under the age of 35 (under the age of 40 for graduates with a disability) Holders of a PhD under the age of 35 (under the age of 40 for PhD holders with a disability) Workers on a redundancy list or who were made redundant after 1st January 2008 Workers with fixed-term contracts who have been made permanent members of staff Regione Toscana encourages businesses to take on and/or issue permanent contracts What? Regione Toscana supports businesses taking on new staff or issuing permanent contracts How? Young people can mention this opportunity to their potential employers during their interview 10 Once the company has taken on staff or provided a permanent contract, they can apply for a contribution from Sviluppo Toscana S.p.A.

Year-long public announcements helping businesses supporting stable employment Year-long public announcements helping businesses supporting stable employment Rules and regulations Unemployed women over the age of 30; graduates and/or holders of PhDs under the age of 35. Young people with a disability can apply until the age of 40; workers on a redundancy list or who were made redundant after the 1st January 2008 for a justifiable reason; workers with fixed-term contracts who have been made permanent members of staff. Companies based in Tuscany that are members of a Chamber of Commerce and that have a task force designated to employing staff (or issuing permanent contracts to existing employees). Additional requirements apply when employing young graduates and doctors and are detailed in the public announcement. Who is the project aimed at? Regione Toscana provides an incentive to businesses: > issuing permanent contracts; > issuing permanent contracts within the first 4 months of the initial contract ATYPICAL WORKERS Regione Toscana has started a fund to provide a guarantee to workers who do not have a permanent work contract. The fund is managed by ARTEA (www.ar tea.toscana.it). Through the fund, Regione Toscana becomes the guarantor for bank loans, with minimal taxes, of up to 15,000. The loan is repayable over 18 to 60 months and can be used for financial difficulties relating to the family, housing, school, training, work and health as well as for purchasing capital goods. > issuing permanent contracts; What is it? > issuing fixed-term contracts lasting a minimum of one year; During an interview with a potential employer, young people can mention the incentive provided by Regione Toscana. The public announcement lasts for a minimum of one year. Sviluppo Toscana (www.sviluppotoscana.it) is managing the scheme. Regione Toscana provides an incentive to businesses: > issuing fixed-term contracts lasting a minimum of one year; > issuing permanent contracts within the first 4 months of the initial contract How does it work and who do i contact? Once the company has taken on staff or issued permanent contracts, they can apply for a contribution using Sviluppo Toscana S.p.A. s online platform (www.sviluppo.toscana.it). Sviluppo Toscana S.p.A. has been selected to manage the scheme; if you require any specific information please contact them directly. SERVICE VOUCHERS FOR CHILDCARE (YOUNG INFANTS) Public announcements have been passed enabling the council administration to organise projects that promote a good work-family life balance. The projects provide service vouchers to be used for the childcare of 3-36 month year olds. The service vouchers are valid in public childcare centres not run by the council or in accredited private centres run by or in collaboration with the council. Mothers with young children will benefit from the scheme. APPRENTICESHIPS Regione Toscana has passed the Enforcement Regulations of the Regio nal Law n. 32 of 2002 in reference to apprenticeships. The regulations control the three different apprenticeship levels, introduced by the national and region al law: apprenticeships to gain a qualificatio n or professional diploma, apprentices hips for professionals and advanced traini ng and research apprenticeships. 11

Education and Training > Giovanisì, a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent Education and Training To support the right of young people to education, training, learning and specialisation, a series of work programmes have been put in place that endorse talent and commitment. Students from professional schools 1 Young people with a diploma or who are in their 5th year of high school 5 University students 3 Drop Out* 1 Recent graduates 4 Graduates under the age of 35 2 4 PhD students 3 8 Holders of a PhD under the age of 35 6 6 7 8 * Young people who have dropped out of school, training or work and who do not have any 12

1 IeFP WORK PROGRAMME (PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING) Regione Toscana is funding Professional Education and Training (IeFP) courses. The qualifications are recognised at a national level and are undertaken at Professional Institutes of the State (IPS). These courses make it possible to study past the age of 16, enabling you to gain professional qualifications indispensable for the world of work. 2 PEGASO SCHOLARSHIPS 3 STUDY SCHOLARSHIP, SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP AND ACCOMMODATION FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IFTS 6 JOINT HIGHER EDUCATION PROJECTS THROUGH RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS Regione Toscana is funding Pegaso scholarships. The scholarships last two years and make it easier for graduates under the age of 35 to access international doctorate programmes. The programmes take place in universities throughout Tuscany, which are working in partnership with each other. Research institutes, public bodies and private businesses are also involved in the programmes. Through the DSU (Regione Toscana Agency for the Right to University Education), Regione Toscana is funding study scholarships to university students in Tuscany on the basis of their family income and merit. The winners of the scholarships have free access to DSU catering services and accommodation and are exempt from university fees. 4 5 STUDY SCHOLARSHIPS AT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL Regione Toscana is funding Superior Technical Education and Training courses (IFTS). The projects must be collaboratively organised, presented and run by school, professional training and university departments as well as by the industry as a whole. The work programme is open to young people and adults alike. Participating in IFTS courses is free. Regione Toscana supports higher education research projects for young PhD students and graduates under the age of 35. Applicants can participate in projects promoted by universities and public national research bodies based in Tuscany. The projects are co-funded by businesses. Funded fellowships last two years and have an annual stipend of 30,000. 7 TRAINING VOUCHERS FOR ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAMMES ABROAD Regione Toscana is funding vouchers for advanced training programmes abroad for young graduates and PhD students. The vouchers enable beneficiaries to reimburse course fees and accommodation and travel expenses. 8 ADVANCED TRAINING HONOUR LOANS Regione Toscana is offering honour loans up to 50,000, making credit available to young graduates wanting to improve their skills by following advanced training and specialisation programmes in Italy and abroad. Regione Toscana is funding study scholarship within the Regional Council. The scholarship amounts to 500 a month. Study scholarships last for one year and are carried out at one of the General Directorates. 13

Studio e Formazione > Giovanisì, un progetto per l autonomia dei giovani MOVING Via special public announcements, Regione Toscana is promoting different types of experiences abroad, such as transnational mobility projects for businesses, transnational mobility vouchers to work and train abroad, Erasmus study scholarships and mobility for high-school students. [info] www.giovanisi.it/muoversi GIOVANISÌ INFOPOINTS In addition to the Central Office which manages the project and provides information about it Giovanisì Infopoints are available (open since June 2012). There are 21 Giovanisì Infopoints located throughout Tuscany to provide information and support as well as build excitement about the project. In addition, 10 mobile Infopoints travel to areas not covered by the static Infopoints to spread the word about the project. Giovanisì Infopoints are a service provided in collaboration with Upi (Unione delle Province d Italia), Anci Toscana (Associazione Nazionale dei Comuni Italiani) and Uncem Toscana (Unione Nazionale Comuni Comunità Enti Montani). Novolab Novolab is a help desk provided by the Province of Florence, located in the Polo delle Scienze Sociali at the University of Florence. The desk helps students and recent graduates to find work. Information about Giovanisì is also available from the provincial representative of the project. Prometeo3 Help desks Prometeo3 help desks, provided in partnership with the regional system of Employment Services, provide information about job opportunities, careers guidance and support. Prometeo3 help desks provide basic information about Giovanisì. [info] www.giovanisi.it/giovanisi-infopoint 14

GIOVANISÌ EVENTS Over the course of the year Giovanisì organises and takes part in countless events to promote the project and analyse issues concerning young people in Tuscany, Italy and Europe. Infoday Initiatives, events, meetings and seminars organised throughout Tuscany by Giovanisì Infopoints and mobile infopoints promoting schemes run by the project. Focus groups Events, seminars and work groups organised by Giovanisì Infopoints and mobile Infopoints to discuss and analyse particular schemes run by the project. Educational Workshops Seminars for reflection and analysis promoted by the Giovanisì Office. The meetings, which will also involve other Italian and European regions, will deal with issues concerning young people or the strategies and practices of policies concerning young people. All events promoted by Giovanisì can be seen on the project calendar, available at: [info] www.giovanisi.it/eventi/ GIOVANISÌ NETWORK Giovanisì offers other opportunities beyond its six main focus areas. The brand Giovanisì Network focuses on culture, disability and the legality. [info] www.giovanisi.it/giovanisi-network GIOVANISÌ IN EUROPE Regione Toscana and Giovanisì take part in events, analysis, initiatives, seminars, conferences and workshops in Europe (organised by the European Union, Committee of the Regions, European Commission and more). [info] www.giovanisi.it/giovanisi-in-europa 15

Studio e Formazione > Giovanisì, un progetto per l autonomia dei giovani GIOVANISÌ LAB Currently being organised, Giovanisì Lab enables young people to participate in the following courses: School and University, Table for Young People and Communication 2.0. [info] www.giovanisi.it/giovanisi-lab ACCENTI- GIOVANISÌ INDEPENDENT STORIES After more than two years, Giovanisì has collected together hundreds of stories, hopes, objectives and ideas. Accenti autonomi racconti di Giovanisì is a platform communicating everything that has come out of or is coming out of this project. The scheme tells and will tell the story of the careers of one, one hundred, one thousand young people who have benefitted from or who are benefitting from Giovanisì on a blog, in a book and video and during events. accenti.giovanisi.it 16

a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent 4

a project organised by Regione Toscana to help young people become independent Office of Giovanisì Piazza Duomo 10 50122 Firenze ITALY info@giovanisi.it www.giovanisi.it