KA220-ADU – Cooperation partnerships in adult education
HUGS-Pro is a European Erasmus+ project dedicated to strengthening and professionalising the role of Voluntary Support Workers who assist new mothers and families. Funded under the KA220-ADU – Cooperation partnerships in adult education action, the project runs from 1 October 2025 to 31 December 2027.
The project is coordinated by FAMIGLIE PER LA FAMIGLIA FONDAZIONE ETS (Italy) and brings together organisations from Spain, France, Cyprus and Morocco, combining expertise in social care, volunteering, adult education, community development and digital innovation.
Why HUGS-Pro?
Many new mothers experience emotional, social and practical challenges during the postnatal period. While medical care is essential, families often lack structured community-based support. At the same time, many women are willing to volunteer but do not have access to a harmonised European training framework that clearly defines their role and competences.
HUGS-Pro addresses this gap by refining and validating a shared European model for training Voluntary Support Workers who accompany new parents in their communities.
Project objectives
HUGS-Pro aims to:
Update and enhance the Manual of the European Training Course for Voluntary Support Workers (Version 2.0).
Define and consolidate a European Profile of the Voluntary Support Worker.
Experiment and validate the Training Course in Italy, Cyprus, France, Spain and Morocco through classroom-based and experiential learning.
Promote dissemination and transferability of the model at European level.
Implementation
The project combines peer-to-peer staff training, interactive webinars, collaborative digital tools and real-life experiential learning. Trained volunteers will be matched with families and supported through coaching and monitoring processes, ensuring both quality and impact.
Dissemination activities, including multiplier events in partner countries and a final conference in Italy, will present the results to stakeholders, organisations and local communities.
Expected results
By the end of HUGS-Pro, the partnership will deliver:
An updated Manual (Version 2.0) of the European Training Course.
A validated European Training Course for Voluntary Support Workers.
A recognised European Profile of the Voluntary Support Worker.
HUGS-Pro contributes to building stronger, more supportive communities by empowering women volunteers and promoting structured, community-based support for new mothers across Europe and the Mediterranean region.
