Celje, December 1, 2025 – The Iskriva Institute, as part of the Inclusive and Accessible Society (VIDD) initiative, which brings together individuals, organizations, and businesses to build a more inclusive, safe, and accessible society, was a proud partner of the event DIVERSITY = Opportunity, Competitiveness, the Future, held at the Celje National Hall on December 1, 2025. The event highlighted the employment of vulnerable groups as a strategic opportunity and a long-term investment for businesses and society as a whole. The event was organized by the City Municipality of Celje, the Employment Service of Slovenia, the VOZIM Institute, and the Iskriva Institute.

Over 200 participants, including employers, representatives from the business sector, public and non-governmental organizations, job seekers, and officials from national and local institutions, engaged in discussions on practical solutions, support programs, and good practices that enable effective inclusion of people with diverse abilities in the labor market.

Diversity as a Competitive Advantage

Companies that actively foster inclusive work environments are better able to attract and retain dedicated staff. Such companies contribute to business sustainability, achieving ESG goals, and social responsibility. Including people with diverse talents fills labor market gaps, strengthens competitiveness, and promotes innovation, while diverse teams open up new market opportunities.

Employing vulnerable groups is therefore not a burden, but a long-term investment in resilience and stability.

Mayor of Celje, Matija Kovač, highlighted after the opening:
“Celje has played a pioneering role in this field, from the first Rehabilitation Institute for the Disabled to the first pilot public work programs and the establishment of the first disabled-owned company. I believe we are capable of taking further decisive steps, including establishing a new entry point for employers, disabled job seekers, and organizations, making access to information and support even easier.”

Mateja Cvelfar, head of the regional office of the Employment Service of Slovenia, added:
“Employment is a key component of sustainable development, also for persons with disabilities. I encourage everyone to persist and build meaningful connections.”

Zdravko Kozinc, co-founder and co-creator of the Iskriva Institute, emphasized in his presentation From Talent to Market: How Diversity and Public-Private Partnerships Shape a Competitive Economy the importance of ecosystem-wide collaboration and funding opportunities:
“The market and European Union programs not only encourage but also financially support solutions in the spirit of functional accessibility. We seek solutions that combine a new generation of technological approaches, multifunctional public infrastructure, and local value chains—both in services and products with global potential.”

Entrepreneurial and Personal Stories as Inspiration

The core part of the event showcased successful stories and concrete support opportunities for employers and job seekers. Moderated by David Razboršek (VOZIM Institute), he also shared his personal experience following a skateboarding accident: “In Slovenia and Europe, we have a very high-level system for including people with disabilities, and we can be proud of social equality. The system for employing people with disabilities is good, but due to fragmented information and institutions addressing this field, access for users can be very challenging.”

The event also served as a consultation with employers within the pilot project “Youth Work Against Youth Precarity”, designed to address the growing issue of precarious employment among young people and people with disabilities.

Guest speakers included David Škorjanc, mechanical engineer; Tajfun Planina; Tina Zupanc, Head of HR, Tajfun Planina; Darja Prevoršek, Head of Reha Services, CRI Celje; Bojan Cvelfar, Head of Social Activities Department, City Municipality of Celje; Zdenka Verdel, Employment Service of Slovenia; Doroteja Burlak, Director, Burlak & 5ka; Tatjana Dolinšek, Director, Racio d.o.o. and Racio Social; Maja Retko Schlosser, Secretary, Reha Services CRI Celje; Miran Krašovec, IPPS Disabled Company of Pošta Slovenije; and Peter Šalej, ZPIZ OE Celje.

The first story highlighted determination and the belief that disability should never be a limitation. It was presented by David Škorjanc, a member of the Paraplegics Association of South-Western Styria and now a mechanical engineer at Tajfun Planina, together with Tina Zupanc, Head of HR.

Another pair of speakers, Bojan Cvelfar and Zdenka Verdel, emphasized successful examples of inclusion. Cvelfar shared how the RS Archive strategically employed a blind person through a European project and adapted the workspace, exceeding expectations and benefiting the entire team. Verdel highlighted her years of supporting employment of persons with disabilities and collaboration with employers on adaptations and incentives. Together, they stressed that quality accommodations are an investment in people and organizational culture, not a cost.

Doroteja Burlak, director of a family business and accounting mentor, shared how an open-minded company can discover exceptional talent. In her case, Monika Pogorevc, a master’s graduate with strong analytical skills, performs complex accounting tasks despite physical limitations. Tatjana Dolinšek, with over 40 years of experience in rehabilitation, emphasized that employers can always find support in their field.

Maja Retko Schlosser shared her story of perseverance despite epilepsy, finding a work rehabilitation environment that recognized her talents and limitations. Darja Prevoršek explained how they leveraged Maja’s skills, precision, and enthusiasm for administrative work.

Peter Šalej, head of the Disability Insurance and Vocational Rehabilitation Department, discussed how companies can support employees who face long-term illness or permanent changes in work capacity. Miran Krašovec from IPPS Pošta Slovenije shared practical insights, showing that disability-focused companies can be a strategic advantage, not merely a quota obligation. The key message: timely action allows companies to retain employees, adapt work, and strengthen organizational knowledge and efficiency.

Congratulations to the City Municipality of Celje for Establishing a Support Point

The City Municipality of Celje announced the establishment of a simple entry point to assist employers and job seekers in including persons with disabilities in the labor market. Lavra Brglez Šket, from the Social Activities Department, highlighted:
“The aim is to simplify access to information, incentives, and professional support, and to strengthen the local cooperation network.”

The second part of the event focused on networking and direct B2B and B2C interactions between companies seeking new employees, service providers, and job seekers. Twenty-five companies presented their expectations, needs, and opportunities.

Inclusive and Accessible Society

VIDD is an initiative that unites individuals, organizations, and businesses to build a more inclusive, safe, and accessible society. Its main mission is to create an environment that is friendly and accessible to all—regardless of age, ability, education, economic status, or geographic location. We believe that only an inclusive society enables sustainable development, economic growth, attractive investment opportunities, and a high quality of life for all generations.

VIDD serves as a platform for networking, co-creation, and dissemination of good practices. It pushes the boundaries of accessibility, opens doors to innovation, attracts investment, and creates business opportunities that strengthen both the economy and society as a whole.