Think Global, Act Local

In an economy impacted by the impact of Covid-19, any strategic intervention by VET educators to support businesses to implement appropriate talent management strategies is critical to their future success and sustainability. Workforce diversity is a key asset that many businesses can leverage, but this can only be achieved if diversity management strategies are put into practice. The EU is putting increasing emphasis on diversity in the workplace with initiatives such as the national Diversity Charter and the annual European Diversity Month, which aim to promote diversity in the EU workforce.

However, EU SMEs that actively implement diversity and inclusion programs remain very low and far behind the US and other countries. Through the "Think Global, Act Local" project, we intend to change this by promoting the use of the practice of storytelling to share values, knowledge, experience and wisdom across cultures to ensure a more diverse and inclusive work environment.

Within the project, the team of 8 organizations from Bulgaria, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Portugal and Cyprus will deliver a holistic training package that can change attitudes and promote the creation of diverse and inclusive workplaces in SMEs in several European countries. The consortium will use the power of storytelling to inspire managers and employees to change, motivate and engage and embrace the values ​​and culture of the company they work for.

Professional educators can play a key role in bridging the gap between intent and actual practices for diversity and inclusion in companies. The Think Global, Act Local project will build skills and competencies for VET educators to learn storytelling techniques to explore diversity management and cultural change in SMEs. Vocational education educators will work with companies to help them make the transition from wanting to do something to taking real action to create a diverse and inclusive workplace.

A continuing professional development program for vocational education experts will be developed, as well as a storytelling toolkit for trainers, managers, business owners and employees on diversity management topics. All developed materials will be available free of charge through an electronic platform specially created during the project.