Building a more inclusive society one step at a time!
The Problem
My name is Bas. In 2007, after 20 years of fighting to succeed in the regular job market, I was declared fully unfit for work due to Asperger’s Syndrome (Autism) and ADHD. After another struggle, I was eventually granted a disability benefit until retirement age, effectively being sent into retirement at the age of 37.
Several failed attempts to build a meaningful existence followed. This is a problem that many neurodivergents (people with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc.) are facing: being unable to participate in society and being written off.
While schools and healthcare institutions offer some support for children, there is almost nothing for (young) adults with these issues, especially for the high-functioning individuals we are targeting.
Neurodiversity is an innate and permanent formation of character that one does not outgrow. Functioning and communicating, which seem natural to most, are major challenges for us. Consequently, many neurodivergents underperform within the requirements of a regular job, leading to high unemployment and subsequent legal, financial, and mental problems. This is a terrible waste because it is scientifically proven that neurodivergents have unique and very useful capabilities that are currently mostly being wasted. Current offerings assume that healthcare providers are best equipped to determine what neurodivergents need. Additionally, existing job initiatives focus primarily on education and employment within IT professions, which many neurodivergents are good at but is not suitable for everyone. Research shows that two-thirds (!) of neurodivergents are dissatisfied with the current offerings. This is because they may lack an affinity for IT, but also because they need more than just training and work-related guidance.
Our Solution
The foundation of our concept is a care-oriented farm that we will build or renovate and expand alongside our participants, guided by expert companies in their respective fields. By growing white asparagus and opening an onsite restaurant, we create a tangible, high-quality product that connects our participants to the community. In addition, south Sweden attracts a lot of German tourists who will appreciate the combination of a German bierstube-like facility combined with a menu containing white asparagus and associated dishes. To further ensure the project’s financial survival and expansion, we will offer apartments where families of our participants can stay during vacations. Offering this to tourists as well (in an area separated from our participants) is a logical next step.
This integrated approach allows us to achieve a business result that provides long-term stability while maintaining our core mission.
All of this is with the fundamental wish to work as environmentally friendly and energy efficient as possible. We want to be an example for the rest of the world.
Another core part of our initiative is our YouTube channel. Here, we share our progress and advocate for neurodiversity while documenting the building process and daily life in the project. In addition, YouTube offers very exciting advertising opportunities to our partners and sponsors, further ensuring the financial sustainability of our project.