Working with Changemakers — Stage 5 Of Our New Open-Source Supported Employment Model
As part of our open-source Changemaker-Based Supported Employment Model, we’re moving to the next step — this time focusing on how to work with changemakers after they are recruited (successfully passed the initial interview and attended the introduction meeting). The recruitment process for changemakers was outlined in detail in our previous article.
This time, together with Andreas Nyhlén, Supported Employment expert and CEO of Misa Kompetens, WiljaGruppen, we’re defining the system of training, supervision, and communication that helps changemakers stay effective and aligned with the model’s principles.
Based on insights from our pilot projects, this stage describes how changemakers become active contributors: from the first introduction meeting to ongoing supervision and performance tracking.
The process includes:
🔹 Introduction meeting & project presentation — changemakers learn about the mission of Supported Employment, their role, and the step-by-step process of connecting candidates and employers.
🔹 Immersion in responsibilities. Access to tools & materials — all changemakers receive templates, interview guides, access to the LMS (Learning Management System) platform and learning resources, helping them adapt quickly and work independently.
🔹 First candidate interactions & onboarding — each changemaker decides how many candidates they can support and begin meeting candidates through group introductions or individual interviews to understand their profiles and expectations; once ready, changemaker sign a contract with the project and officially begin working within the Supported Employment process.
🔹 Ongoing coordination — group chats, peer meetings, and one-to-one sessions help maintain engagement and share experience across countries.
🔹 Tracking and supervision — coordinators collect weekly reports, monitor activity, and provide feedback. During our international pilots, including those performed in Uzbekistan, we found that changemakers often didn’t complete data forms regularly, in such cases it is the coordinators’ role to collect key information during weekly meetings to ensure accuracy and consistency.
“Training and supervision are not add-ons — they’re what sustain the entire Supported Employment model. A strong changemaker community coordinator is what can transform individual effort into collective impact.” — Andreas Nyhlén, Supported Employment expert and CEO of Misa Kompetens, WiljaGruppen.
Motivational meetings and regular communication are central to sustaining the network — they not only ensure data quality but also foster a sense of shared purpose among volunteers working in different contexts.