Plus! Madam

The project

Plus! Madam is a project that supports women in Brussels on their pathway toward (financial) independence and sustainable employment.

Through a strong collaboration between InBrussel, Avansa Citizenne and JobRoad, the project combines preparation, empowerment and direct guidance toward work.

Who is it for?

The project is aimed at women in Brussels with at most a secondary education diploma (or an equivalent recognized in Belgium), who:

• Need a higher income
• Experience barriers to the labor market
• Need support to take steps toward an independent life

How does the pathway work?

The pathway consists of several stages:

• Pre-pathway (InBrussel) – Intensive individual guidance in which women are prepared for the labor market and a financially independent life.
• Empowerment & community (Avansa Citizenne) – Focus on breaking isolation, strengthening self-confidence and learning relevant skills.
• Matchmaking (JobRoad) – Guidance toward work through the three-phase model:
• Kickstart – Employers open up to the target group and commit to meeting candidates through blind hiring (without a CV).
• Screening & Matching – Candidates are screened on motivation, competencies and learning ability and matched with vacancies.
• Project week – Getting to know the workplace and talking with employers, with further follow-up where needed.

Our approach

• Holistic guidance: a combination of coaching, empowerment and job matching
• Lowering barriers: focus on talent and growth potential, not on diploma or CV
• Strong partnerships: collaboration between social organizations and employers
• Blind hiring: fair opportunities for every candidate

Impact

• More financial independence for women in Brussels
• Breaking social isolation and strengthening self-confidence
• Increased sustainable employment
• Active contribution to an inclusive labor market