OPSIZO Diversity & Inclusion in Microenterprise: IHF joined the Kick-Off Meeting of OPSIZO

On 9th November 2022, IHF joined the Kick-Off Meeting of OPSIZO, a Project co-funded by the Erasmus Plus Programme of the European Commission, which brings together 7 partners from 6 different countries (Italy, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium). The KOM was held in online mode.

OPSIZO – OPSIZO Diversity & Inclusion in Microenterprise – aims to eliminate access obstacles and contributes to the development of welcoming environments that promote equity and equality. The project seeks to eradicate discrimination and microaggressions that hinder the socio-educational and professional development of employees (Women and LGBT+), as a non-inclusive organisation does not support participation in civic and social life as well as the dynamics of personal and collective growth.

As a matter of fact, that the European institutions, which established the principles of equal treatment and non-discrimination as a fundamental premise for the realisation of an open, cohesive, inclusive, and sustainable society, have played a vital part in the process of asserting the rights of LGBT+ persons. The prohibition of discrimination is clearly expressed both in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which states that the Union shall aim in all its activities to combat discrimination on the grounds of various factors, including sexual orientation, by taking appropriate action (Articles 10 and 19), and in Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Furthermore, numerous millions of people experience discrimination at work. In addition to violating fundamental rights, this unsettling phenomenon also has important economic and societal repercussions. Discrimination exacerbates social tensions and inequities while stifling opportunities and wasting the human talent needed for economic advancement. Promoting good work necessitates combating discrimination. Despite the advancements made in recent years, discrimination against women and the gender pay gap still exist in many developed nations. Recent ILO estimates show that women are still far from achieving gender equality in the workplace and are frequently stuck in low-skilled professions that pay less than those held by men.

During the meeting, the consortium as a whole discussed about the overall project implementation schedule, defining timelines and respective duties. During the project lifetime, partners will carry out research and analysis activities aimed at the development and delivery of the OPSIZO tools to develop and implement.

In the Project, IHF asbl brings its expertise and experience as a key social player in international and European projects. In particular, IHF asbl ensures the “European Dimension” of the Project as it carries out all the technical tasks from a “European Perspective”, i.e. carrying out analysis of relevant EU policies and initiatives; extrapolating EU relevant case studies, lessons learned and best practices.

IHF asbl is a NGO founded in Brussels in 2003 to promote traditional European values among very diverse and heterogeneous groups. IHF specializes in the preparation of very detailed analyses concerning European policies, trends regulations with a specific focus on their social and economic impact at Community level. In OPSIZO project, IHF will lead WP5 — and it will contribute at the technical, operational and managerial level, being involved in all the implementation activities preparatory to the production of the expected results.

For further information on OPSIZO contact opsizoproject.sinapsi@gmail.com

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