This training programme consists of three modules that, together, provide a comprehensive exploration of informal caregiving and its impact on employment, gender equality, and workplace practices. Each module builds on the previous one, offering a progressive learning journey that shifts from recognition to policy frameworks to awareness and cultural change.
- Module 1 – Recognising and Supporting Informal Carers: The first module sets the foundation by clarifying the distinction between formal and informal care within European long-term care systems. It highlights the growing reliance on informal (unpaid carers), shaped by demographic trends such as ageing populations and increased care needs. The module explores the profound effects of caregiving on employment, health, emotional wellbeing, and financial stability, while also presenting ways in which labour market can respond. Attention is given to workplace measures such as flexible arrangements, leave policies, and recognition practices, alongside strategies that empower carers through training and skill development.
- Module 2 – Work–Life Balance: National Framework and Workplace Adaptation: The second module places caregiving within the broader policy landscape. It introduces the EU Work–Life Balance Directive and examines how its provisions have been implemented across partner countries, including Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, and Romania. By comparing national approaches, the module highlights both strengths and limitations in reconciling work and care responsibilities. It also showcases examples of good practices at national and corporate levels, illustrating how policy frameworks can be translated into workplace strategies that promote flexibility, inclusion, and support for employees with caregiving responsibilities.
- Module 3 – Raising Awareness on Gender Divide in Caregiving and its Effects on Work–Life Balance: The final module turns to the cultural and institutional dimensions of caregiving. It examines how expectations around care are shaped by social norms and psychological factors, and how these contribute to persistent gender disparities in both formal and informal care. The module highlights the consequences of this divide for women’s employment, career progression, and financial security. It also introduces practical tools for change, including the development of soft skills such as empathy, communication, and resilience, as well as digital solutions that enable flexible work and improve productivity. By combining awareness with practical strategies, this module encourages employers, policymakers, NGOs, and social partners to foster workplace cultures that are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the realities of caregiving.