STEP – Support for Transition, Emotional Well-being and Preparedness is a European project dedicated to helping young people and adults take confident first steps into the labour market. At its core, STEP focuses on strengthening emotional well-being during one of life’s most challenging transitions: entering employment.

The project equips jobseekers with the tools to better understand their emotions, build self-esteem, and navigate the ups and downs of starting a career. GUREAK, member organisation of EHLABE, is leading the project and bringing strong expertise in inclusive employment.

To make this vision a reality, STEP is built around three key objectives:

• Identify the key factors that influence emotional well-being during the transition into employment.
• Promote well-being through pathways that combine self-awareness, emotional management, and preparation for the world of work.
• Create accessible digital guides to support learners, careers guidance professionals, and companies committed to more inclusive working environments.

As part of this work, STEP will deliver three free digital guides:

• A guide for learners, focused on understanding emotions, improving resilience, and strengthening positive relationships.
• A guide for careers advisers and job coaches, offering practical strategies to support transition processes.
• A guide for companies, aimed at fostering healthier, more inclusive, and emotionally safe workplaces.

The project brings together three organisations from Spain, Austria and Estonia. Together, they are identifying key needs, developing content and sharing results, culminating in a final dissemination phase in Estonia.

By placing emotional well-being at the centre of employability, STEP contributes to more human-centred, sustainable transitions into work.