Project
Diversity as a strength in the workplace (VALTTI)
Project sponsors
Abbreviation
Focus area
Implementation time
1.8.2026
-
31.5.2029
Unit
Financing program
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027
UN Sustainable development goals
Project description
Diversity as a strength in the workplace (VALTTI) project helps Finnish workplaces turn diversity from a challenge into a resource. We are developing the Diversity as a Strength model, which provides a clear development path and practical tools for everyday leadership.
At the heart of the model are AI-based simulations where supervisors and employees can safely practice diverse situations and receive feedback on their actions. The result is workplaces where well-being, innovation, and engagement are strengthened – diversity becomes an asset.
Diversity in Finnish workplaces is constantly increasing, but the structures and skills to recognize and utilize it are lacking. This leads to wasted potential, conflicts, and reduced well-being and productivity.
The main goal of the project is to develop companies' everyday leadership and operations so that the workplace (management, work community, individuals) can better consider employees' diverse needs and leverage different strengths. The project's company processes involve the entire staff at various stages.
The VALTTI project is divided into four phases, where new practices are trained in a practical and concrete way. The approach is strongly based on research and hands-on experience.
The phases are:
- Embed – Active co-development and communication coordination with stakeholders from the start.
- Identify – Diversity audit, making diversity visible, and mapping strengths.
- Acknowledge – Recognizing the value of diversity and deepening workplace competence through dialogue.
- Adapt – Adjusting everyday practices to support diversity.
The project is implemented by Jamk University of Applied Sciences and Humak University of Applied Sciences 1.8.2026-31.5.2029. The goal is to involve a total of 180 participants from 45 companies nationwide.
If you would like to learn more, please contact the Project Manager:
Hilkka Heikkilä
hilkka.heikkila@jamk.fi
050 430 8407
Project results
The project produces the Diversity as a Strength model, which helps workplaces identify, value, and utilize diversity in everyday work. The model includes an audit package, the Identify-Acknowledge-Adapt development process, and practical tools and methods to streamline daily work.
The project develops and tests online AI-based interaction simulations where individuals can safely practice even challenging situations. The simulations replicate real workplace scenarios where diversity is particularly evident. AI acts as an active guide and conversational partner, and the user receives an automatic analysis of their actions.
As a result of the project,
- workplaces gain a clear development path and concrete tools for managing diversity.
- Managers find practical solutions to challenging situations and improving interaction.
- Every participant learns to recognize strengths, find ways to reduce strain, and thus improve well-being.
- Across the organization, conflicts decrease, innovation and productivity grow, and engagement strengthens.
- Simulations help supervisors recognize the impact of language and practices and practice inclusive interaction.