At the European level, there are several gaps concerning the preparation of teenagers in foster care, particularly regarding autonomy, deinstitutionalisation and the development of common support methodologies and procedures aimed at younger people leaving foster homes.

A European research states that the transition from foster care to adulthood and subsequent autonomy is characterised by “alarming gaps” – namely considering the lack of support and the obstacles that young adults leaving foster care. When compared to the majority of young adults, this target-group faces limited access to housing and employment opportunities, solitude and feelings of abandonment, insufficient and inadequate financial resources, lack of family and social support, etc.

The OUTogether project: Promote the Autonomy of Teenagers in Foster Care was developed to address this question and to tackle the challenges that these individuals face on a daily basis.