I-STEP Network has been launched as an international community of organisations working to make education, training, employment pathways and civic participation more inclusive and connected.
The network brings together civil-society organisations, educational actors, trainers and institutions that share an interest in European cooperation and in creating meaningful opportunities for people and communities.
Five connected pathways
I-STEP is organised around five strategic pathways: Inclusion, Skills, Training, Employability and Participation. Together, they provide a common framework for exchanging methods, developing resources, building partnerships and learning from practice across countries.
The people behind the impact
The work of member organisations is made possible by their paid staff and active volunteers. I-STEP makes this collective capacity visible alongside the direct and indirect reach of the network.
A network designed for cooperation
Members can use I-STEP to identify partners, exchange expertise, develop joint initiatives and increase the use of effective tools and approaches. Organisations interested in contributing can visit the membership page and submit the online application form.
Turning shared experience into practical cooperation
I-STEP is designed to connect the knowledge that already exists within its member organisations. Their experience covers non-formal education, inclusion, community work, skills development, employability, European projects and civic participation. Bringing these perspectives together allows members to identify complementary methods and areas where cooperation can produce additional value.
This is particularly relevant in European partnerships. Strong cooperation depends not only on finding organisations with similar objectives, but also on understanding the people, expertise and local relationships each partner can contribute. The member directory and the network’s collective figures help make those capacities more visible.
How members can use the network
Members can use I-STEP to exchange tested approaches, identify suitable partners and explore opportunities for projects, training and peer learning. The network also connects organisations working at different points of the I-STEP pathway. An inclusion-focused organisation may collaborate with a training provider, an employability specialist or a participation initiative to develop a more coherent response to the needs of learners, young people and communities.
The launch establishes the initial structure, but the network will continue developing through its members. New organisations, shared resources and cooperation opportunities will progressively strengthen its collective capacity.