More information
Description
The project contributed to create better working conditions for disabled people in the City of Warszaw, but the second phase of the project also focused on the integration of Ukrainian refugees
The overall objective of the project was to facilitate the employment of persons with disabilities in the City Hall of Warszaw and to ensure them decent working conditions. The project aimed both at eliminating obstacles in recruitment procedures and structures, but also to change negative stereotypes and prejudices among the managerial staff towards the capabilities of persons with disabilities.
The project built on the project '' Equal Chances - Equal Work'' (ECEW) which contributed to increase the employment of persons with disabilities with 8,5% in the City Hall since 2019. The ECEW project developed solutions and good practices which were further tested and developed in the second phase, but the new phase also included Ukrainians as a target group.
The formal partner in the project was a Polish NGO with more than 30 years of experience in supporting employers in the implementation of employment programmes and management targeting persons with disabilities. There was also cooperation with the City of Oslo which is a partner city of Warsaw.
The following activities were carried out:
I. Implementation of developed solutions and good practices into the HR policy, including a Counselling Point to support employees, e-training on how to work in a diverse team and integrate foreigners, update of recruitment tools and solutions for adapting the workplaces to the needs of persons with disabilities.
II. Promotion of didactic tools developed in the ECEW project and new solutions, including two seminars for managerial staff with representatives of the City of Oslo, promotional campaign and seminars and training addressed to all employees of the City Hall, external communication towards prospective employees, also in Ukrainian.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key challenges, primarily focusing on improving working conditions and increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and Ukrainian refugees in the City of Warsaw. It sought to remove institutional obstacles and negative stereotypes or prejudices held by managerial staff towards persons with disabilities, while ensuring fair and decent working conditions for marginalized groups.
It integrated developed solutions and good practices from the previous phase into the HR policy, including the creation of a Counselling Point to support employees with special needs and managerial staff. E-training programs were developed to raise awareness and improve competences in managing diverse teams, with a focus on integrating foreigners and addressing the needs of persons with disabilities. The project organized seminars for managerial staff, conducted a promotional campaign, and held training sessions for all employees of the City Hall. External communication efforts targeted prospective employees, including Ukrainian refugees. Recruitment tools and workplace adaptation solutions were updated to better accommodate persons with disabilities.
The implementation of good practices and recommendations led to optimized working conditions for persons with disabilities and refugees. Training and awareness programs improved the understanding and management of diverse teams among managerial staff and employees. The project enabled the implementation of recommendations developed in the "Equal Chances - Equal Work project (2020-2022)" as well as extensive promotional and communication activities particularly targeted at the main managerial staff of thje City Hall of Warsaw.