This Peer Review provided guidance on how to promote social enterprises that support people with mental health problems to enter the labour market.

These social economy activities help people with mental health problems to develop and maintain their skills, ideally leading to integration on the open labour market.

The Peer Review built on the experience of the Mental Health Services of the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit in Cyprus. It also drew on the relevant experience and outcomes from other European countries. In particular, the development and assessment of social entrepreneurship to integrate people with mental issues into the labour market were considered. The Peer Review also discussed cooperation between social enterprises and mental health professionals and good examples of social enterprises being developed with and for people with mental health problems.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Unit from the Ministry of Health in Cyprus hosted the event and exchanged lessons learned, good and innovative practices with participants from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary and Latvia.

Background

Upcoming legislation (‘Creation and Maintenance of a Register of Social Enterprises’) in Cyprus aims to regulate social enterprises. Mental Health Services in Cyprus have already developed ‘Alternative Employment Programmes’ that support people with mental health problems to test and develop their skills in a secure and supported environment. The new legislation will help to turn the ‘Alternative Employment Programmes’ into social enterprises, building on the lessons learnt so far.