Àncora is a project outlined in part 3 of the Equal Community Initiative.
The setting for the Àncora project 2005-2007 is the region of la Safor, situated in the South of the province of Valencia (Spain). It is made up of 31 townships and 150,000 inhabitants. Half of the region’s population is concentrated in its capital, Gandia and it offers services to several neighbouring regions, providing for near to 300,000 people.
An integrated and well-developed region, la Safor’s economy relies principally on the tertiary sector (services, primarily tourism, business and construction) and, to a lesser extent, on the secondary sector (industry).
More than 98% of business is generated from small to middle sized companies (including the self-employed). For this reason, the main initiatives of Àncora are going to develop alongside the small and very small company.
Objectives
In a diagnostic study carried out for the design of the Àncora Project, it was revealed that a sector of the workforce in the la Safor region finds itself in a dynamic constant of joining and leaving the labour market. Some of the difficulties of remaining in employment were consequently revealed. Those in this sector are :
people over 45
immigrants
women with dependants
people with disabilities
In general workers with unstable work situations
The results of the fieldwork obtained from this study indicate 2 main reasons why these groups find it difficult to renew their job contracts;
Reasons relating to the economic sectors in general, and in particular to the structural sectors within the company.
Reasons due to subjective factors, such as employee/employer relations :
In regards to the employee : a lack of job flexibility, a lack of training, an incompatibility with work hours and family life, a lack of motivation etc.
In regards to the company : the assignment of physically and professionally inadequate jobs to the employee, inadequate human resource management, poor awareness of its role as an ambassador for the improvement of society, etc.
The Àncora Project addresses this second reason, tackling the problems from three angles and whose fundamental objectives are :
OBJECTIVE 1 To promote the job quality and security of those who work but are threatened by exclusion from the labour market.
OBJECTIVE 2 To promote the social responsibilities that companies have towards Human Resource management and, above all, towards the employees who may find themselves involved in situations resulting in job loss.
OBJECTIVE 3 To promote public-private cooperation procedures regarding the compromise of family and work life for the benefit of job security, especially in the case of women.
Activities
In order to achieve its objectives, the Àncora Project takes three lines of approach :
1) To encourage job quality and security, Àncora designs and tests a complementary model to aid and advise the company, this consists of :
The training of specialists who will implement the model in the workplace, Àncora calls these ‘Work Integration Consultants’
The recognition and acquisition of companies and employees (100) likely to form part of this experimental product.
The training of personnel from the company itself. For example, managers will promote equal opportunities as well as helping employees with problems to adapt.
The design of individual adaptation plans for the company, which will provide an analysis of the competence and personal circumstances of the employee and of the company itself. This will set in motion the processes that will assure greater job-employee versatility.
Personal supervision of the worker and the company while the adaptation plans are set in motion and developed.
2) In order to encourage the Social Responsibility of Companies, the Àncora Project has created an Observatory for the Social Responsibility of Companies and for its continuing development. This Observatory :
promotes responsible practices to the company, particularly in terms of improvement and continuation of the work-station, through seminars, conferences and publications about this subject.
encourages decision making, allowing for new business enterprises and activity, provides interesting economic and social displays for the region, and periodically broadcasts up-to-date reports.
develops an interactive database of regional socio-economic information, accessible from its web page, which is divided between the social and economic agents of the region.
3) In order to promote the public-private cooperation procedures as regards the compromise of work and family life, the activities of the Àncora Project will be directed towards :
Diagnosing and analysing the suitability of resources as regards the compromise of the needs of the women and the companies that cohabit the region.
The testing of new services for this compromise: babysitting networks, flexible crèche hours, help with mobility, concessions for domestic help, among other benefits arising from the project’s investigation.
Sensitising the actions surrounding the social, economic and institutional factors in order to promote equality between the sexes and a compromise between family and work life.
Products
For Objective 1 :
A methodological guide for the implementation of the model to aid and advise the company, transferable to other companies and regions. A training program to aid the set up of this complementary model in the workplace. The contribution of 100 people, through the examination of their individual ideas, to adapt the company.
For Objective 2 :
Guide for socially responsible management in SMEs. Battery of good practices in SR developed in the project. An up-to-date database of socio-economic indicators of the region. A regional investigation of the positive and tangible effects on the company after adopting Social Responsibility as a strategic linchpin in business management. The creation of a personal web page for the Observatory. Meetings, seminars and workshops to spread Social Responsibility in Companies (SRC). SR awareness, dissemination and training.
For Objective 3 :
The publication of the diagnostic report on the resources employed in the existing compromise in la Safor, and of a series of proposals on participation. A trial exercise of the proposals for compromise gathered from the diagnostic study. The contribution of 100 people.
National partners
The Association for the Development of the Àncora Project is made up of 8 members with experience in other European projects (Adapt, Now, Horizon, Youthstart, Integra, Equal.)
Gandia City Council. Representative body
He body responsible for the project, with wide experience in; project management for the Social European Fund and the ERDF; activities to promote social and economic development; initiatives directed towards the company, the workers and the promotion of equal opportunities. The Gandia City Council coordinates all the activities of the Àncora Project.
Association of la Safor Towns
Omprised of 28 town councils from the region. Its participation is fundamental to attain a multiplier effect and a regional expansion of the projects’ activities.
The la Safor Federation of Business Associations (FAES)
Ith more than 1,000 associated businesses, FAES involves managers in the Àncora Project and contributes to the expansion of socially responsible practices within companies.
The Red Cross
N international NGO with 3 offices in the region of la Safor, The Red Cross specialises in the promotion of employment in underprivileged groups. It relies on recruitment agencies and participates in the Àncora Project’s complementary plans.
Cáritas Interparroquial Gandia
National NGO with an office in Gandia, Cáritas Interparroquial Gandia is dedicated to the care of the underprivileged. It brings its experience of handling marginal groups to the Àncora Project and participates in the complementary initiatives of the work.
Alfons el Vell Local Studies and Sociological
Body that promotes scientific and cultural investigation. Given a degree of autonomy by the Gandia Town Council, Alfons el Vell Local Studies and Sociological offers an academic insight into the studies, analysis and reports of the Observatory of Social Responsibility with scientific rigour.
UGT-PV Trade Union
National syndicate with an office in Gandia, the UGT-PV Union represents the workers and sits on company committees. It guarantees the validity, in the Àncora Project, of the debate over equal opportunities and the social responsibility of companies.
CC.OO – PV Trade Union
National syndicate with an office in Gandia, the CC.OO – PV Union also represents the workers, its presence in the Àncora Project guarantees social discussion on the project and in this way contributes to the development of the activities.
Contacts
Ancora Project info@equalancora.org Telephone: +34 96 287 47 11 Fax number: +34 96 286 51 03 Address : Ajuntament de Gandia Edifici CSI-COM Polígon Alcodar – Plaça de la Llum, Nº 6 46701 Gandia
For Objective 1 :