The OPSIZO project has just launched two resources designed to foster diversity & inclusion within microenterprises: guidelines for diversity & inclusion and a manifesto for diversity & inclusion in microenterprises. These interesting tools aim to address access barriers, promote equality, and create inclusive work environments across the EU’s microenterprise sector.
Co-founded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission, the OPSIZO project joins together seven partners from different European countries to develop operational instruments that advance diversity & inclusion in small businesses. Through its work, the project aims to eliminate discrimination and microaggressions that hinder socio-professional development.
A key focus of the OPSIZO project is on the drafting of guidelines and a manifesto for diversity & inclusion in microenterprises to ensure long-term policy impact in vocational education and business contexts. These resources aim to improve competitiveness and efficiency in microenterprises, promote a culture of diversity and inclusion as a corporate welfare tool, and contribute to workplace equality.
In more detail, the guidelines provide practical strategies and step-by-step instructions for trainers and entrepreneurs to implement OPSIZO’s tools and training suite. Designed to foster inclusive workspaces, they address the unique challenges small businesses face. On the other hand, the manifesto intends to be the first European-level policy paper on gender and sexual orientation in microenterprises, shedding light on how inclusive practices improve competitiveness, especially in the post-COVID era. It serves as an operational guide to diversity management, aiming to mainstream diversity & inclusion across microenterprises beyond the project’s co-funding period.
Thus, the OPSIZO project calls on policymakers, business leaders, vocational training providers, and stakeholders across the European entrepreneurial ecosystem to adopt these resources and foster inclusive environments. Microenterprises play a crucial role in Europe’s economy, and promoting diversity & inclusion is not only a social imperative but also a strategic necessity for business growth and resilience.
For more information, please visit opsizo.eu.
For accessing the guidelines and manifesto, please go to opsizo.eu/guidelines.php.
