PRO-INKLUDE

PRO-INKLUDE


Click here to view a promo video.

This MEA’s pro-inclusion initiative is a branded networking project, which so far already included a number of specified and targeted tasks fulfilled with a number of activities all aimed to assist and offer a  wide range of services to SMEs in general, whereby, with a pro-active approach,  education, training and social awareness for more inclusivity at the place of work,  are being given top priority.

This project commenced in 2016 and till today, it is still recognized as an ongoing project which is being managed by the SME Helpdesk within the Malta Employers’ Association.

Pro-inklude actively embraces the concept of inclusion at the workplace, especially where it comes to integration of persons with disability at the place of work, accepting the philosophy of strength through diversity, applying the right attitude towards workers with different cultures, avoiding gender discrimination, while safeguarding equality rights amongst all employees.

Managed by an Employers’ Association and not by an NGO, gives it more weight and makes it a more interesting initiative, whilst bringing together the public and private sector within our business ecosystem to be able to create the right environment for networking opportunities in favor to SMEs in general, with the comfort of being updated, trained and guided accordingly, in this particular sector.

Through the continuous cooperation with various Government organizations, MEA’s SME Helpdesk is successfully managing to synergize all local resources, whilst offering a professional service to SMEs in general. A case in point, is that what is the being pro-actively offered with reference to COVID-19, whereby MEA is continuously alerting their members and SMEs in general.

Pro-inklude is the entrepreneurial vehicle through which SMEs are being guided how to act responsibly on multiculturalism, gender equality, active aging, employment of x-convicts, alcoholism, employees with mental health conditions, the concept of equal pay for equal work, and other sensitive and important circumstances related to some sort of vulnerability condition, whilst  ensuring the employees’ right of a healthy wellbeing at the place of work.

Through this initiative, by utilizing the meaindex online platform, MEA is also giving the opportunity to Government entities, service providers within the private sector, NGOs and other local organizations to be able to promote and reach-out SMEs with their particular services related to inclusive entrepreneurship.

The Pro-inklude initiative, through various actions and activities, is not only guiding SMEs how to comply with local and International legislations, but also helping them pro-actively how to prevent and to avoid uncomfortable circumstances which creates unnecessary social disturbance amongst their employees at the place of work.

This project, which so far embraced more than 98 actions, is well recognized amongst our local SMEs community, and its estimated that thousands already heard about it, others had already actively participated and benefitted from actions already taken so far.

Through the pro-inklude initiative a number of electronic specific updates reached hundreds of business entrepreneurs employing over 60% of the Maltese workforce, disseminating important knowledge and guidance on inclusivity through diversity especially when employing third country nationals, persons with disability and vulnerable employees.

Pro-inklude in collaboration with FSWS, and Agenzija Sapport already embarked on a number of training programmes which are being offered to SMEs. This collaboration mainly followed the guidelines established within the S.A.F.E. and INK programmes whereby so far hundreds of employees already participated and benefitted accordingly.

Pro-inklude is also utilizing MEAs other electronic tool – “Meaindex”, to be able to promote other initiatives taken by various other organisations in favor of entrepreneurship among disadvantaged groups such as legal migrants, disabled persons or people from ethnic minorities.

Pro-inklude’s collaboration and partnership with entities such, MCAST, FSWS, NCPE, SOS Malta, CORE, CRPD, Agenzija Sapport, Richmond Foundation and others, encouraged hundreds of SMEs to participate and benefit from various initiatives.

While being chosen by CRPD, as one of the founder members of the newly established, Malta Business Disability Forum, MEA kicked off discussions with FITA, to facilitate more SMEs to transform their respective websites to a fully-accessible electronic tool with the less expenses possible.

In collaboration with CRPD, MEA also conducted two workshops “Practicality, reasonability and Accessibility” and “Lack of employees viza-vi disability”, which workshops were organized as part of the YES campaign.

325 minutes of entrepreneurial tv material was produced with the assistance of a number of sociologists and other experts, as part of this pro-inklude initiative. 14 tv programmes based mainly on supportive employment, mental health at the place of work, knowledge and opinions on the proposed Equality Act Bills and prevention at the workplace.

MEA-EQUIP, the EU co-financed project “Equipping Employers for more Equal and Inclusive Labour Market” was the first and solid foundation for the pro-inklude initiative, carried out in 2016. Over than a 1000 SMEs participated and successfully benefitted from  activities such as the partnership with Richmond Foundation in the Healthy mind for healthy business ESF project, a number of info-sessions, reach-out one-to-one meetings, the printing and distributing of an HR Handbook, the publication of MEAs position papers on subjects like Equality and Diversity at the workplace, and the outcome of a research study survey.

Through the pro-inklude branded initiative we believe that we are bridging the gap, between stakeholders and commuters, while establishing best-practices of how inclusive mentality can give positive results.

In the near future, we intend to strengthen and enhance this initiative by adding more virtual electronic connectivity which facilitates the possibility of more networking especially with those who might have mobility problems, or lack of physical access to services which are being offered at the moment through this initiative.

Graphical Representation

Comprehensive list of events

Click here to view a comprehensive list of events.

Endorsements

The pro-inklude initiative, which is being managed by the SME Helpdesk within the Malta Employers’ Association, incorporates loads of events, actions, and services, which are continuously being successfully organised, thanks to the perfect collaboration and partnerships which MEA established through the years, with other stakeholders.

Hereunder are testimonials from some of these entities:

Endorsement by FSWS

Endorsement by CRPD

Endorsement by Agenzija Sapport

Endorsement by Global Mindset Development 

Endorsement by Weave Consulting 

MEA EQUIP-pilot project

including an ESF 4.255- EU co-financed initiative:

“Equipping Employers for more Equal and Inclusive Labour Market”

These are the different actions which form part of this pilot project:

  • opted to invite Amy Camilleri Zahra to host tv programmes inspite of her disability
  • carried out a survey – research study
  • partnered with Richmond foundation in the “Healthy Mind for healthy business” ESF Project
  • signed an MOU with various other entities re “persons with disability in employment”
  • published a position paper on persons with disability at the place of work
  • adopted a pro-active attitude in facilitating process to engage TCNs in Malta
  • produced a number of “Employers Information Handbook” on USBs
  • organised a panel discussion
  • ” Maximising the potential of Maltese Labour Force in a Socially Inclusive Environment”
  • produced 6 MEA TV Programmes related to equality and inclusivity
  • organised a stakeholder focus group
  • carried out a number of Structural alterations at MEA premises

EQUIP ESF Project
Amy Zahra as a presenter on MEA TV Programme

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MOUs related to inclusion

Signed 4 important MoUs with entities related to inclusion

2018 – 2019

These are the 4 MoUs which so far were signed as part of the pro-inklude initiative.

  • MOU signed with MCAST on the 6TH October 2017
  • MOU signed with FSWS and Agenzija Sedqa,  on the 10th May 2019
  • MOU signed with Agenzija Sapport,  on the 16th September 2019
  • MOU signed with CRPD – Business Disability Forum,  on the 18th December 2019


Signing of MoU with Agenzija Sedqa

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MEA TV PROGRAMMES

Produced nothing less than 14 MEA tv Programmes related to inclusivity

These were the topics on which we produced 14 different TV Programmes:


MEA TV PROGRAMME Studio set

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COLLABORATION WITH INK PROJECT

Collaborated with Agenzija Sapport on EU Funded Project INK

These were the actions taken under the pro-inklude initiative in this regard:

  • co-organised two training programmes
  • disseminated information amongst our MEA members and other MEA non-member-SMEs
  • produced and aired on our National TV Station, a MEA tv programme dedicated exclusively to this INK Project.

COURSES ON DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Conducted two Courses

These were:

  • Course open to all SMEs conducted in November 2019, in collaboration with Viviana Premazzi: “Coping with multiculturalism at the workplace”
  • Course open to all SMEs conducted in March 2019, conducted in collaboration with global mindset development – “Challenge, strategies, tools and synergies to cope with diversity at the workplace”

SMEs attending one of the Multiculturalism Workshops

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WORKSHOPS

Participated and conducted two workshops during a CRPD National Conference

These were:

“YES for everybody”- workshops held during a national conference in December 2019:

  • “Lack of employees viz-a-viz disability”
  • “Practicality, reasonability and accessibility”

Pro-inklude’s participation in the CRPD – YES Campaign

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SOCIAL PROBLEMS SEMINAR – 2017

MEA organised 3 focus group workshops during a seminar, organised as part of the SME WEEK  2017 programme of events: “Are Current Social Problems affecting Businesses?” 

During these 3 workshops, around 150 stakeholders discussed issues related to social problems at the place of work. Issues which sometimes create unneeded disruption in the everyday management while running a business.

MEA looked into these circumstances, and in collaboration with other NGOs and Government entities highlighted the causes, looked at what’s being offered and came up with tangible and practical initiatives to improve the situations mentioned.

Topics discussed where:

  • Which social problems are the most disruptive at the place of work?
  • What support is being offered by different entities to minimise the repercussions from social problems at the place of work?
  • How should social problems be tackled at the place of work?

Click here to view photos.

Click here to view the events’ brochure.

THE MALTA BUSINESS DISABILITY FORUM

MEA became one of the founder members of the Malta Business Disability Forum

As part of the pro-inklude initiative, and together with a number of other stakeholders, MEA was invited to be one of the founder members of the newly established Malta Business Disability Forum.

MEA as founder member in the Malta Business Disability Forum

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PARTICIPATION DURING THE EMPFEST

Offered free participation during the EMPfest, to Entities working within the inclusivity sector

During the EMPfest networking activity held as part of the SMEs National Forum – Malta 2019:

Free participation, by setting up of a stand within the conference foyer area, was offered to:

  • CRPD
  • Agenzija Sapport
  • FSWS

Offered free participation to FSWS during EMPfest 2019

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ELECTRONIC UPDATES

Disseminated and Circulated a number of Electronic UPDATES

about topics related to inclusivity

Amongst a large number of updates one can mention these particular topics:

  • Issue 482 – Employment of Persons with Disability – MEA meets Employers
  • Issue 485 – Employment of Persons with Disability – Meeting with the Prime Minister
  • Issue 490 – MEA’s Information Session on the Employment of Foreign Workers
  • Issue 493 – Employing Third Country Nationals in Malta
  • Issue 494 – Memorandum of Understanding on the Employment of Persons with Disability
  • Issue 497 – Equality and the Workplace
  • Issue 505 – The Equality Act & the Human Rights and Equality Commission Act
  • Issue 512 – Information Session: Employment of Persons with Disability
  • Issue 517 – Proposed Equality Bill – Unfair & Unnecessary
  • Issue 527 – Agreement on Active Ageing
  • Issue 567 – The Equality Bills
  • Issue 585 – Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Issue 591 – Proposed Work Life Balance Directive
  • Issue 597 – Managing a Multicultural Workforce
  • Issue 601 – Session on Sustainable Workplaces

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COLLABORATION WITH FSWS

on the S.A.F.E. programme

The collaboration included:

  • The production of a MEA tv programme exclusively on the S.A.F.E. programme
  • Organised an info-session to our MEA members and other SMEs
  • Organised a meeting at MEA’s premises together with Dr Moretti
  • Circulated and dissiminated info about the S.A.F.E. Programme amongst our MEA members
  • Included a new chapter on the S.A.F.E. programme within our “Employers Information Handbook”
  • Attended to the S.A.F.E. award ceremony and as MEA we were presented with an appreciation award token.

Meeting with Dr Moretti and Agenzija Sedqa officials

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MEAINDEX DEVELOPMENT AND FITA COMPLIANCY

New MEAINDEX online platform development to transform it to a fully-accessible and FITA compliant Website

Through pro-inklude, we took the initiative to transform the meaindex online platform to be FITA compliant and be a website fully accessible.

Besides this, we kicked off fruitful discussions with FITA, to facilitate process for SMEs to transform their respective website to a fully-accessible one, with less expenses.

MEA, through pro-inklude is working very close with FITA.

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INFORMATION BY THIRD-PARTIES, RELATED TO INCLUSIVITY

Through MEAINDEX online platform MEA promoted events, stories and information by third-parties, related to inclusivity

Electronic ALERTS are being sent on regular basis to meaindex subscribers which consists of loads of information taken from the online platform.

Amongst one can mention:

  • The employing of third country nationals – info sessions and one-to-one outreach exercise alert.
  • eBiznify – A new training programme focused on enabling Malta’s micros and small and
  • Medium-sized enterprises to use eCommerce, alert.
  • The voluntary services to Sharing Lives, a service within Agenzija Sapport alert.
  • New Day Centre for persons with disabilities alert.
  • 5-Year Collaborative Agreement between MEAINDEX and Agenzija Sapport alert.
  • MOU signed between MEA and FSWS alert.
  • Workshop on Multiculturalism alert.
  • Disability Inclusion Training alert.

MEAINDEX promoting Workshop on Multiculturalism

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MENTAL WELLNESS AT THE WORKPLACE

Awareness Campaign

MEA is collaborating with Working Town, Richmond Foundation, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Enterprise, and the General Workers Union, on this project.

Amongst the events scheduled to take place, there are:

Webinar – Coping Mechanisms in times of crisis (29 May 2020) 

Roundtable with Social Partners (July, 2020)

Conference – Mental Wellness at the Workplace (19 November 2020)

The aim of the activities is to create more awareness of mental wellness at the workplace by providing information on what mental health is and on the services available for employers and employees. We will be working with a group of professionals in the fields coming from both the local and foreign scenes. A set of recommendations and proposals will be delivered to government, as per Mental Health Strategy for Malta 2020-2030.

Click here for further info.

EQUALITY ACT PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Participated and Contributed towards the Equality Act Public Consultation

MEA’s actions in this regard were:

  • The drafting and presentation of a position paper on this matter
  • Communication with our members through the electronic updates
  • Meeting Government top officials whereby discussions and cross debates took place.

Click here to view photos.

SME NATIONAL FORUM

Today’s opportunities and challenges in employment for SMEs

Through the pro-inklude initiative, the SME Helpdesk within the MEA, organised the first SME NATIONAL FORUM- MALTA 2019, as part of the SME WEEK 2019 Programme of Events.

An event which included:

Distinguished guests discussed how SMEs should adopt a pro-active approach to address issues related to opportunities and challenges within the business sector.

Three symposia with the participation of 25 local experts, in which fruitful discussions took place about sustainable employment, proposed employment strategies, and how education contributes towards successful entrepreneurship.

A panel discussion on how SMEs are expected to handle employability in a quasi-full employment scenario, with the participation of 10 speakers who came from various sectors.

20 entities working in favour of entrepreneurship, inclusion and social responsibility were invited to set up a stand and participate for free during EMPfest  (service providers fair offering their exclusive services to SMEs).

Networking opportunities between NGO representatives, Local experts working in the field of inclusion, social responsibility, and CSR, SMEs and other government body officials which took place all throughout the National Conference break-out sessions.

Click here to view photos.

Click here to view the events’ brochure.

PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER ENTITIES

Through this initiative, MEA partnered with other entities, on awareness campaigns, EU Funded Projects and Training Programmes.

Amongst the numerous collaborations so far, one can mention:

FastTrack

During 2017, MEA collaborated in an initiative lead by MCA to encourage more digital inclusion amongst SMEs

Dealing with Culturally diverse workforce – Challenges and Opportunities

April/May 2017- MEA actively participated in the initiative lead by CORE, whereby SMEs were guided how to understand better the right attitude towards multiculturalism.

Business with a Heart

April 2017 – MEA collaborated and participated in the initiative taken by SOS Malta in collaboration with Deloitte – an awareness campaign amongst businesses, encourage them to follow SDGs.

Violet Support Online

2019- MEA collaborated with SOS Malta in a EU Funded GBV-SO Project – an anonymous and confidential online service for VICTIMS OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

“Nista Nahdem – Intraprizi Maltin Protagonisti”

April 2017 – MEA was invited to participate, and contributed during a panel discussion, at a National Conference organised by the Lino Spiteri Foundation, in collaboration with CRPD and JOBSPLUS.

Equality Beyond Gender Roles

September / December 2017 – MEA partnered with NCPE in a EU Funded Project whereby a research study and a number of discussions took place in favour of gender equality.

Identity Malta Outreach programme

2017 – MEA was the first organisation, which collaborated with Identity Malta to organise one-to-one meetings with Employers, at the MEA’s premises.

Click here to view photos.