In 2023, Shell Bulgaria, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Global Delivery Center Bulgaria, and Lidl Bulgaria in partnership with the Bulgarian Diversity Charter launched the Building Bridges initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This initiative was inspired by the belief of the three leading companies that their wealth of experience and knowledge in managing diversity in the workplace should be shared with other organizations interested in this area.
Shell Bulgaria EAD, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Bulgaria, and Lidl Bulgaria are among the most active members of the Diversity Charter in Bulgaria and recipients of the «Diversity in the Workplace" award, a national prize launched by the Bulgarian Diversity Charter in 2021 to recognize best practice in building diverse teams and inclusive workplaces.
The Building Bridges initiative is an expression of the three companies’ deep commitment to the values of DEI both in the workplace and in society. Recognizing the tangible benefits that such policies bring—including improved business results, increased competitiveness, and the creation of a supportive environment for all employees—they have undertaken this joint initiative to share their experience with small and medium-sized enterprises in Bulgaria.
The Building Bridges for DEI Initiative
This initiative was born out of the observation that knowledge about diversity and inclusion management is concentrated mainly in large and multinational companies. Given the changing demographic landscape and the increasingly diverse workforce, skills in this area are becoming key to business survival and prosperity. As a result, more and more companies are taking an interest in the topic of workplace diversity. The Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) in its capacity as Bulgaria’s National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct, has also joined the Building Bridges initiative, recognizing it as its mission, which would bring great added value to participants.
Surveying DEI Needs in the Business Sector in Bulgaria
The launch of the Building Bridges for DEI initiative was preceded by a nation-wide survey focused on assessing the needs regarding DEI of the Bulgarian business community in Bulgaria. This survey revealed significant differences in DEI awareness and commitment between companies of different size and origin. Larger companies and those that have signed the Bulgarian Diversity Charter exhibited a higher level of DEI engagement and proactive adoption of DEI measures compared to smaller and non-signatory firms. Common DEI practices that companies integrate with their corporate culture include having internal DEI documents, designated DEI teams, periodic assessments, and regular staff training.
Respondents of smaller companies and non-signatories of the national Diversity Charter identified the lack of awareness and uncertainty about DEI management as a notable challenge. Still, they generally agreed on the various benefits that DEI implementation can bring in terms of enhanced productivity and innovation potential, talent retention, and stronger financial performance.
The survey report recommended a set of practical steps to help bridge the existing gap in knowledge and understanding of DEI management. These include business-to-business mentorship on DEI issues tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized companies so that they can easily integrate relevant policies and practices into their daily operations. Financial incentives, public-private partnerships, and a culture of collaborative learning in the DEI domain can support the development of equitable and inclusive workplaces in the private sector.
Building Bridges in Action
The Building Bridges for DEI initiative aims to foster an environment of cooperation and knowledge sharing about DEI management among businesses in Bulgaria. The businesses pioneering the initiative have set up an open source resource repository providing practical guidance on DEI issues and regularly organise free-of-charge training events and webinars to promote capacity building and the exchange of good practices and lessons learned on DEI management. They invest in the development of DEI leaders and engage in public advocacy on the benefits of adopting DEI approaches for enhancing the resilience, responsiveness, and adaptiveness of corporate cultures.
References:
Building Bridges for DEI Initiative – https://diverse-bg.eu/our-work/diversity-and-inclusion-building-bridges/.
