Kohesio: discover EU projects in your region

project info
Start date: 1 February 2015
End date: 31 January 2018
funding
Fund: European Social Fund (ESF)
Total budget: 389 784,00 €
EU contribution: 155 917,00 € (40%)
programme
Programming period: 2014-2021
Managing authority: työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö, yritys- ja alueosaston rakennerahastot ja koheesiopolitiikka -ryhmä

Women at work — promoting the working capacity and health of self-employed women in the workplace together with them

The project promotes the well-being, work ability and health of women working as small entrepreneurs in Northern Ostrobothnia in cooperation with them. The project develops new kinds of solutions and operating models to promote the working capacity and health of entrepreneurs at work. The project is implemented as co-development, taking into account operational cultures and identity. For small entrepreneurs, work place health promotion (WHP) is limited and new. The project develops WHP operations, especially with micro-entrepreneurs, in a resource- and solution-oriented way. Some of the activities are aimed at all entrepreneurs in the region and some are targeted at those with work capacity support needs. The aim is to promote a socially sustainable and healthy community, promote healthy eating habits and other lifestyles and reduce burdens. Supporting the working capacity of entrepreneurs contributes to employment, productivity and wider well-being at work, as they also act as employers. Women are key contributors to family members’ eating habits and other lifestyles. The project implements the Local People’s Rehabilitation Action Line of the provincial programme. It is worth supporting the equality of entrepreneurs in relation to other people in employment. Although many entrepreneurs are prosperous and experience the suction of work, they have more work ability and health problems compared to other workers, as well as stress that can weaken the company’s business. Women face more challenges than men in reconciling work and family. Over 55 years of age estimate their ability to work less well compared to those under 35. My own well-being is often the last thing to take care of. Few of micro-entrepreneurs and sole entrepreneurs have a well-functioning occupational health care system. Some of the entrepreneurs are active in sparsely populated areas. Thus, work capacity support mechanisms are limited and opportunities for networking with other entrepreneurs vary. There is therefore an order for an operating model that supports women working as entrepreneurs in their work and leisure time.The project organises online peer-to-peer sessions in which entrepreneurs and experts work together as equal partners. Older entrepreneurs with reduced working capacity and lifestyle and endurance problems are offered targeted group guidance, led by psychologists and nutritionists, alongside online activities. The aim of group activities is to promote equality, empathy and peer support, improve problem solving skills, life management, healthy lifestyles and psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility increases well-being. Online peer-to-peer activities contribute to socially sustainable development by increasing emotions of coverage and inclusion. It is easy to participate in online events and travel to meetings does not cost natural resources. The activities support retention in work and long working lives. The activities take place in North Ostrobothnia, but the results are disseminated at population level and can be generalised and exploitable elsewhere.

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