Towards acceptance of diversity – a training program for employers.
On October 22nd and 23rd, 2024, a meeting of the partners of the “Stronger Together” project was held in Norrköping, Sweden, in which the Valmiera Development Agency, the Samaritan Association of Latvia and the Coompanion Östergötland participated. The main goal was to develop a cross-border training program for employers so that companies could create more inclusive workplaces for people with special needs.
Three experts from Latvia also joined the meeting in Norrköping: Dace Veigure (Bitus Latvia), Gita Aizpure (4 vēji) and Ināra Korņeva (Apeirons). With their knowledge and experience, they made a significant contribution to the development of the training program, helping to develop methods that will promote greater inclusion in the workplace.
During the event, representatives and experts of the “Stronger Together” project took part in study tours, visiting several Swedish social enterprises and educational institutions. They visited ReStaff Social Enterprise and Skäggbyrån Social Enterprise, as well as Marieborgs folkhögskola folk school. During these visits, the team of the Valmiera Development Agency, a representative of the Samaritans Association of Latvia Inga Brente Mieze, and other experts familiarized themselves with the school’s programs, which are especially suitable for adults with special needs.
The meeting with representatives of the local government gave the project partners a practical insight into the Swedish social support system, which is oriented towards the support of persons with neuropsychiatric and other functional disorders. This experience and knowledge will contribute to the development of the cross-border training program for employers that will help Latvian companies create more inclusive workplaces.
The training program for employers created in the first phase of the project will be an essential tool to promote an inclusive work environment for people with special needs. This program will provide a deeper understanding of the principles of inclusion, offering both practical guidelines for integration and helping to dispel myths and stereotypes about the abilities and potential of people with special needs.
The training materials will cover a wide range of topics, from practical solutions on how to include and support people with special needs in the company, to recommendations on uniting the team and promoting mutual understanding among employees. The purpose of these materials is to help employers create an environment where people with special needs can feel valued and fully involved in the workforce.
The material is planned to be developed so that it is both practical and easy to apply in different work environments, thus ensuring that it is effective and adaptable to the specifics and culture of different companies.
“This cross-border project is more than a partnership, it is a commitment to promote an inclusive society in the Baltic Sea region,” said Karlīne Jākabsone, manager of the Stronger Together project. “Our cross-border cooperation allows us to combine knowledge and experience from both Sweden and Latvia to create a sustainable training program that will give employers the opportunity to better understand and support people with special needs in their companies.”
In May of 2025, using the developed training program, the first cycle of two-day practical training for employers from Latvia and Sweden will take place.
The Stronger Together project’s goal in developing this training program is to set the standard for inclusive hiring practices, promoting sustainable employment pathways and supportive environments for individuals with disabilities. This training program will be available to employers in Latvia, Sweden and the entire Baltic Sea region, strengthening inclusive practices on a larger scale. The aim of the program is to promote employment in a Europe where diversity and inclusion become the norm in every workplace. This cross-border approach will allow employers to share experiences and adopt best practices, building a common understanding of inclusion.
The “Stronger Together” project will be implemented until April 2027 under the Interreg Central Baltic Sea Region Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2021-2027. The project is part of the sub-programme “Improved employability in the labour market”. The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
