1. www.nyttukraftinn.is EMPOWER YOURSELF Sigríður Snævarr & María Björk Óskarsdóttir

2. www.nyttukraftinn.is BACKGROUND Mrs. Snævarr’s initiative and desire to impart experience is the reason María & Sigridur joined forces a year ago November 2008 - we developed the concept in collaboration with various experts December - we tested the ideolgy on a trial group January & February - Empower Yourself presented in various fora, looking for co-operation and grants from other parties February – we began with the first group November 2009 - 9th group has begun We know that Empower Yourself is in fact producing successful results - because it is positive, constructive and unique

3. www.nyttukraftinn.is What is EMPOWER YOURSELF? 3-month process, providing encouragement and support for persons who have recently lost their jobs The aim is to encourage the person concerned to use his or her time and energy positively and constructively, and in doing so become more competitive in seeking new employment The core principle: Start each day as a working day The objective is for the person concerned to find a job as soon as possible or to have a clear plan for the future

4. www.nyttukraftinn.is THE PROCESS 5 joint sessions and extensive interaction with and among participants during the three months the Empower Yourself process is underway 15-20 persons in each group who go through the process together All meetings are held in different and popular cultural and social locations The Empower Yourself "toolkit" is full of ideas and opportunities which participants use to continue onwards The focus of the meetings is therefore very varied, inviting new emphases and challenges which support job-seeking

5. www.nyttukraftinn.is THE IDEOLOGY A route for job seekers wishing to improve their competitiveness in seeking work The basic pillars are: –Focused recording of active time at least 4 hours each day on weekdays - recognised by employers as positive experience in a CV –Encouragement to get out and about, meet people and let everyone know they are job-seeking –Interest test which opens minds for new ideas and opportunities –Each person is given a mentor from business and industry –A variety of tasks and exercises, e.g. connected to self-examination, CV, networking, employment interviews, strengths, interpersonal relations, etc.

6. www.nyttukraftinn.is SUCCESS Approx. 170 participants have participated in Empower Yourself since we began in February Approx. 170 mentors from 120 different workplaces have "clients" - with excellent results At least 50 persons from business and industry have either made contributions or attended our meetings as observers/supporters Strongly positive response to Empower Yourself in the community - participants add it to their CVs The experience of participants themselves is decisive; –The change in attitude towards their circumstances is remarkable –Each and every one of them attempts to effectively strengthen and improve him-/herself –Increasingly active, optimistic and hopeful & steadily seeing new opportunties High success rate of our participants in job seeking - at least 75% or more in most groups (almost 100% of the first group) have found a new job or have set themselves new future goals as the process concludes

7. www.nyttukraftinn.is Thank you