Toucan Europe Company Information Toucan is a non profit co-operative working in the area of research and development, providing technical assistance, management and training and development for organisations within the European Union. The focus of activities is work with people experiencing social exclusion, and innovative actions and developments that offer opportunities for economic and social integration. Background Toucan was established in Manchester in 1994, by two people - Jean Hough and Dave Ellis, who had come from a background of work in the voluntary sector at a regional and national level, as well as work in higher education. Toucan is registered as a non-profit limited company with educational purposes for the benefit of the community; specifically because much of the work has been with disadvantaged groups and individuals in society. Toucan furthers this work by working in partnership with the voluntary, statutory and private sectors. Project Work Toucan staff have a background of work in youth work, the access requirements for the education and social education of young people, vocational training and employment of disabled people. We work closely with education, social and health care services, and voluntary organisations in this field at a national and international level, as well as managing regional, national and European projects aimed at the participation of children, young people, and disabled people in society. This involved work within education and informal educational settings. This work has received funding from the Department for Education and the European Commission. Project work has included development of citizenship training for young people; youth training roles within voluntary organisations and youth councils; enterprise training; distance learning for trainers covering all aspects of training; support and learning needs of disabled people; use of new technology for training and employment. They have also developed and delivered: training for trainers, youth and community workers.