The GreenSIGNS project acknowledges the necessity to upgrade the quality, innovation and validation of youth work practices related to the green transition and the digital transformation, while ensuring inclusive and accessible learning opportunities for all youth regardless of their abilities.

GreenSIGNS addresses the emerging needs of deaf or hard of hearing youth to acquire green employability skills and comprehend issues related to green transition.

The project’s aims are to:

6. Promote inclusion and diversity in youth work through the design of a green employability programme for deaf or hard of hearing youth dovetailed with the EU Green Sign Language Competence Framework designed through a co-design strategy with the deaf community in each country, which is not currently in place.
7. Foster environmental awareness to deaf or hard of hearing youth and among youth workers through the GreenSIGNS VR Simulations (serious games) to support the acquisition of green employability skills.
8. Raise awareness and involvement in environmental issues through equipping young people with environmental consciousness adhered by the EU Green Deal and Youth Strategy to lead to more sustainable practices within their community
9. Strengthen employability of young people as many often face exclusion and reduced youth initiatives on green employability by empowering the youth sector with validated capacity-building training as per the micro-credentials methodology supported with new tools and resources based on hands-on activities
10. Enhance employability skills of deaf/hard of hearing youth in green-related jobs based on the profile of green experts and synergies
11. Support the digital transformation, resilience & adaptability of youth work through using innovative means such as VR for equipping green employability skills for deaf/hard of hearing

The above will be achieved through the inclusive and accessible GreenSIGNS Tool Kit based on the needs of deaf and hard of hearing youth to include a collection on new innovative tools, resources and material such as:

– The first European Green Sign Language Competence Framework for creating a specific sign for 50 green related terms accompanied by QR Code Green Cards with icons, links, videos, explanations etc. to ensure green skills acquisition.

– The first collection of real-life scenarios related to the GreenCOMP Framework, to be used as the basis for the development of GREENSIGNS VR Simulations to promote green skills acquisition across green-oriented professions.

– The Validated Capacity Building Training for youth as per the micro-credentials’ methodology tailored to the requirements of deaf and hard of hearing youth and aligned with GreenCOMP, LifeComp and DigiComp for fostering green, employability and soft skills, accompanied with a set of recorded webinars in sign languages of partner countries.

– The Inclusive GreenSIGNS Platform also available via mobile devices for integrating all products including the Networking Tool to connect labour market actors, VET institutions, HEIs etc. with youth organisations for providing further professional and accreditation opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing youth.