Education and Training: Support for the Transition from School to Work

The Hans Weisser Foundation supports disadvantaged young people aged 15 to 25 in Hamburg in successfully transitioning from school to vocational training. The focus is on financial grants to cover material and personnel costs as well as non-material support through counseling, mentoring, and networking. Project partners from social enterprises, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations design measures in the areas of orientation & motivation, school completion, employability, and training support. With demonstrable impact, clear system positioning, and scalability potential, young people are to be empowered towards greater self-efficacy and realistic career prospects.

Eligible for funding are individuals, non-profit organizations, companies, and educational institutions that offer programs for youth facing challenging starting conditions. Selection is ongoing based on transparent criteria such as target group definition, entrepreneurial character of the applicants, relevance of the project, and documented effectiveness. Informal applications can be submitted at any time to define tailored support in a joint familiarization process. The foundation forgoes standardized application procedures and values an individual partnership focused on the next developmental stage of the projects. Organizations and initiatives that pave the way for young people into the labor market through mentoring, internships, learning support, or corporate cooperation thus receive start-up funding and long-term support.