The fourth event in the Sustainability Talks series, dedicated to inclusive employment and support for the employment of people with disabilities, took place on October 7 at the Sava Center. The event brought together representatives of the Responsible Business Forum and the Network of Employers of Persons with Disabilities, aiming to share experiences and promote inclusive practices.
The meeting was opened by Tijana Koprivica, Director of Sustainable Business at Delta Holding, which hosted the gathering. The first part of the session highlighted the key activities of the Responsible Business Forum during the last quarter of 2024, including the annual CSR/ESG Forum conference, ESG educational programs such as Sustainability Academy and Transformator, as well as welcoming the new member, NLB Komercijalna Banka. Attendees were also introduced to the latest, third edition of the ESG/SDG Barometer, while the call for Sustainability Champions awards for companies demonstrating exceptional efforts towards sustainable development goals was announced.
The main theme of the meeting was inclusive employment, where participants had the opportunity to learn about the Most Inclusive Employer 2024 award, presented by Ivana Stančić from Smart Kolektiv. A Additionally, Tijana Koprivica shared the experiences of Delta Holding, the recipient of a special recognition in the 2023 competition.
Special attention was given to internship programs for young people with disabilities, presented by Jovana Krivokuća Milovanović, Executive Director of the Youth with Disabilities Forum, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities for professional development.
Discussions and the exchange of opinions among participants further enriched the event, while informal networking at the end allowed attendees to deepen collaboration and develop new ideas for future projects.
This event, organized by the Responsible Business Forum and the Network of Employers for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities, led by the YDF, represents an important step towards strengthening inclusive practices in business and supporting the employment of persons with disabilities, highlighting the significance of a strategic approach in fostering diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace.
The event was held as part of the “Job Fit: Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Youth with Disabilities Forum, with support from partners such as Caritas Serbia, the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, Smart Kolektiv, and the Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities in Serbia.
