Diversity Inside Out - Voices from Inside Organisations Foster Change

The concrete objectives of the project were: ● To promote the business case for a diverse workforce. ● To explore the barriers to diversity and inclusion in organisations, paying particular atten...

The concrete objectives of the project were: ● To promote the business case for a diverse workforce. ● To explore the barriers to diversity and inclusion in organisations, paying particular attention to post-Covid-19 impacts, especially on hard-hit groups of employees. ● To encourage implementation of inclusive working practices. ● To ascertain innovative practices to promote a diverse, welcoming and inclusive environment. ● To investigate and create discussions on challenges such as microaggressions and implicit biases ● To create accepting climates where all individuals can thrive in the work environment. ● To create a climate for open and honest conversations and exchange of experiences of inclusion and diversity to determine what works and what still needs attention in general and in practice at local levels. ● To explore the challenges of hybrid working and emerging conditions which may erode equality and inclusion in particular. ● Generate an innovative diversity programme addressing issues og diversity and inclusion to aid policy and strategy. The goal was to aid concrete efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within organisations, and in the process, strengthen the capacity of the partner organisations to educate.

The first activity was the conception, development and creation of 20 Diversity Cards in Icelandic and English as well as 5 cards translated into Dutch. The cards were based on desk-research of equality and diversity legislation, and incorporated input via questionnaires from 16 managers, and results from workshops where 9 participants discussed challenges, issues and opportunities for promoting diversity. The draft Diversity Cards were then presented to a group of managers for comments, which were then considered and added to the cards as appropriate in final edit. In the second activity, a total of 30 participants explored topical issues related to diversity and inclusion in four, two-three hour sessions, focusing on: ● Benefits of a diverse workforce-for organisations and individuals. ● The Psychology of Othering ● Positive psychology interventions to promote wellbeing in a diverse workforce ● Post-Covid changes and challenges for a diverse workplace. Piloting of the sessions took place in March 2023 in both partner countries. The third and last activity were the Diversity Conversation Clubs, peer-mentoring support groups are where 10 participants come together with a facilitator to reflect on their goals as managers.

Activity 1 produced 20 Diversity Cards in Icelandic and English, five of which were translated into Dutch. The cards were used as part of Activity 2, Diversity Training, for which a Facilitators Guide, Learners Guide, and four PPT slideshows were prepared in both Icelandic and English. Activity 3, Diversity Conversation Clubs, produced a Facilitators Guide and a PPT slideshow in both English and Icelandic as well. All three activities also produced National Reports from both countries and activities 2 and 3 also produced Comparative Reports. Other outputs include three newsletters in Icelandic and English and a Sustainability Plan. For the purpose of the management of the project, a Promotional Plan was devised and two Evaluation Reports were compiled along the way. In addition to the expected results, the Diversity Cards and the concept for their use, were so successful that the Directorate has begun preparations to adapt them even further to accommodate its needs. The cards will be used, in addition to complementing the Training and Conversation Club activities, for shorter courses and educational material, and as a supplement for existing training, by the Directorate.