The NICE programme (Neutral and Inclusive Communication in Corporate Environments), co-funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Value (CERV) programme of the European Union, is delighted to announce the publication of its comparative report encompassing Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania and Romania.
From Words to Actions: Enhancing Inclusive Communication in the Workplace Report, which is available for free download on Bulgarian Diversity Charter’s website and the NICE website, delves into the critical intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) management and professional communication within European workplaces. It offers an in-depth analysis of how public and private entities in five EU member countries – Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, and Romania – approach and integrate inclusive communication practices.
Through rigorous comparative analysis, policy evaluation, surveys, interviews, and the identification of best practices, this report aims to capture the significance of neutral and inclusive communication in corporate environments.
"The report has helped us understand the status of the adoption of inclusive language in our countries, representing a critical step towards developing future learning experiences to advance the D&I agenda within our signatory organisations", the initiators noted.
Importantly, in addition to this cross-country and cross-sectional analysis, the Centre for the Study of Democracy, a co-founder of the Bulgarian Charter, also developed the Inclusive Communication in the Workplace: Bulgaria 2023 Report thus offering the first comprehensive overview of the use of neutral and inclusive language in the Bulgarian context.
The report examines the national framework, including relevant legislation, policies, and initiatives implemented by companies and NGOs operating in this country, and highlights promising practices. It provides valuable insights and recommendations for fostering a more inclusive work environment through the incorporation of communication techniques that acknowledge the distinctive needs and identities of employees.
Both reports were developed within the NICE programme that is currently implemented by the Diversity Charters in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania and Romania. The project will achieve multiple learning outcomes, including the development of signatories' knowledge, skills, and attitude, enhanced self-knowledge, improved organisational culture, and enhanced skills for working with different groups.
A series of diversity training sessions that the NICE project will offer in 2024 will assist signatories not only in improving their skills and knowledge on diversity topics but also in enhancing awareness of the benefits of concrete D&I practices.
Stay tuned as more NICE news are underway pretty soon!
***
About the initiators
Centre for Social Innovation/ Diversity Charter Cyprus is a Research and Development organisation, which focuses on fostering social innovation that can bring about a positive change to local, national, regional, and global contexts. CSI is closely working with the government, local administrative agencies, NGOs, commercial entities, and educational institutions to address social, economic, and cultural challenges. Its team is composed of more than 40 open-minded, fully equipped researchers, educators, VET Trainers, social entrepreneurs, project managers, and Information Technology specialists. CSI also coordinates the Diversity Charter Cyprus which was officially launched in May 2020. Since then, it has gathered big visibility on the island and meanwhile has more than 90 signatories, from both the public and the private sectors. For details: https://diversitychartercy.com/
Greek Diversity Charter (KEAN) - The Diversity Charter, an initiative of the European Commission to promote diversity in Greek businesssector, was established in Greece in 2019 by KEAN. Its goal is to act as a means of engaging in the implementation of equal opportunities and diversity in every work environment in Greece. The Diversity Charter aims to act as a commitment for the implementation of equal opportunities and diversity in the working environment in Greece, irrespective of gender, race, colour, descent or ethnic origin, religious or other beliefs, disability or chronic disease, age, family or social status, sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics.The Charter is supported by the Greek General Secretariat for Gender Equality of the Ministry of Interior, the Economic and Social Council of Greece, the Federation of Municipalities in Greece and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises. So far, about 250 private and publicorganisations with over 50,000 employees have signed the Charter.For details: https://diversity-charter.gr/
The Bulgarian Diversity Charter is a joint initiative of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) and the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) launched in Sofia, Bulgaria in September 2020to promote diversity management and boost equality and wellbeing.The Charter represents the shared understanding of its signatories that diversity is a driver to creativity, innovation, growth and productivity, and an incentive for individuals to fully reveal their knowledge, competences, talents and skills. The Charter currently has 65 signatories, mostly private companies but also civil organisations that commit to combat discrimination and embrace diversity, equal opportunities and social inclusion as part of their strategy and daily operations. The Charter encourages and promotes diverse teams and inclusive workplaces by initiatives such as Diversity at Work Annual Award, Diversity at Work best practice exchange, annual member meetings and more. For details: www.diverse-bg.eu
Lithuanian Diversity Charter Association (LDCA) has extensive experience in the field of diversity and inclusion. LDCAwas started as an initiative run by Diversity Development Group and SOPA in 2018. Lithuanian Diversity Charter then also joined the European Union (EU) Platform of Diversity. Established in 2020 as a legal entity, LDCA unites organisations that commit to promoting openness, strengthening diversity management, and creating friendly and inclusive working environments regardless of persons’ gender, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, age, sexual orientation and gender identity or religion. In March 2021, LDC launched an in-depth study about the labour market inclusion in Lithuania, especially for foreign language speakers, immigrants, and refugees. Its findings and targeted recommendations received national media attention and inspired longer coverage of the topic. Currently, Lithuanian Diversity Charter has been signed by 28 public, private and non-governmental organisations and their 14,000 employees.LDCA invites its members to proactively participate in strategic long-term decision-making and set diversity-related goals for each member.For details: https://diversity.lt/
Romanian Diversity Charter brings together 225 signatories, covering cca. 270,000 employees from companies, public institutions and NGOs, who have publicly assumed the principles of the Charter, so that diversity, equal opportunities and social inclusion become values acknowledged and respected in Romania. Signing the Charter represents a valuable starting point for organisations wishing to embark on their diversity journey and also provides a framework for companies to develop existing policies.Under the auspices of the Charter, several initiatives have taken place (training and mentorship programmes, experience exchanges, workshops, debates, publications) where different practices and organisational policies of diversity management were presented, analysed, debated and disseminated.For details: https://www.cartadiversitatii.ro
Contact:
BBLF, office@bblf.bg
CSD, law@online.bg
Disclaimer: Co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Project number: 101083606
