Abc-D.E.af – Deaf Entrepreneur
Abc-D.E.af (Deaf Entrepreneur) is a European project that aims to empower deaf learners through entrepreneurship and business education
Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, the project supports deaf people attending Vocational Education and Training (VET) in developing the skills needed to become self-employed or entrepreneurs.
Why Abc-D.E.af?
Abc-D.E.af addresses the structural barriers deaf people face in accessing employment by promoting inclusive, accessible entrepreneurship education within vocational education and training (VET) systems across Europe. The project supports economic autonomy, professional development, and social inclusion for deaf learners.
Challenges in Employment
Across Europe, deaf people continue to face significant barriers in accessing the labour market. These include limited access to tailored training opportunities, a lack of accessible learning materials, skills mismatches, and persistent social stereotypes. As a result, employment rates among deaf people remain well below the European average.
Entrepreneurship as Opportunity
Entrepreneurship and self-employment offer meaningful pathways to economic independence, professional fulfilment, and social inclusion. However, within most VET systems, entrepreneurship and business management training is rarely accessible to deaf learners. When available, such training is often fragmented, informal, or not adapted to their communication and learning needs.
Abc-D.E.af Response
Abc-D.E.af was created to address this gap by introducing a transversal, accessible, and European approach to entrepreneurship education for deaf learners. The project supports both learners and educators, contributing to more inclusive VET practices and a stronger, more equitable education system across Europe.
Project Overview
Duration
24 months
Funding
European Union
Budget
€250,000
Programme
Erasmus+ KA220-VET
Project number
KA220-VET-964AA11C
Project Objectives
The main objective of Abc-D.E.af is to strengthen entrepreneurship and business management literacy among deaf learners attending any VET pathway, regardless of sector or professional field.
The project also aims to:
1) Support equal access to labour market opportunities for deaf people
2) Provide VET trainers and educators with inclusive and accessible teaching tools
3) Encourage self-employment and entrepreneurial pathways as viable career options
4)Contribute to challenging stereotypes about the employability and professional potential of deaf people
Who Is the Project For?
Abc-D.E.af places deaf people at the centre of its activities.
Abc-D.E.af primarily targets deaf learners in vocational education and training (VET), who wish to develop entrepreneurial skills or start their own business. The project develops activities and learning resources tailored to their needs, while also engaging the educators and organisations that support them.
The project therefore involves VET trainers, teachers and educators, including deaf professionals, as well as VET centres and training providers working with deaf learners.
Beyond these groups, the project also reaches a wider ecosystem of stakeholders, such as business support organisations, incubators, employers, social partners and policy makers, helping to strengthen cooperation between education, inclusion and the labour market.
What Will the Project Do?
Abc-D.E.af delivers concrete, accessible tools to support deaf learners in developing entrepreneurial skills and to help educators implement inclusive entrepreneurship training within VET systems across Europe.
Accessible Training Toolkit
A core result of Abc-D.E.af is the development of an accessible Training Toolkit focused on micro-entrepreneurship and business management. The toolkit includes modular learning content, videos, and practical guidelines designed specifically for deaf learners, while also supporting educators in delivering inclusive and effective training. It is adaptable to different VET curricula and national contexts.
Virtual Incubator Hub
The project also introduces the Abc-D.E.af Virtual Incubator Hub, an inclusive online environment where deaf learners can develop, test, and refine business ideas. The hub offers structured guidance and practical support, enabling learners to transform ideas into concrete entrepreneurial projects.
Training, Testing & Dissemination
Training activities, testing phases, and dissemination actions accompany the development of these tools to ensure their quality, relevance, and long-term sustainability. These activities support real-world validation and encourage the continued use of project outcomes beyond the project’s lifetime.
European Added Value
By addressing the lack of accessible and formalised entrepreneurship education for deaf learners in VET, Abc-D.E.af contributes to a more inclusive, flexible and future-oriented European education system. The project aligns with European priorities on inclusion, diversity and employment, and aims to create lasting impact beyond its duration by offering tools that can be reused, adapted and scaled across countries and sectors.
Questions About the Project?
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