On Thursday, January 30, 2025, Luckan Integration hosted the Kick-off Seminar for the JobBuddies project. The event brought together mentees, mentors, project team and board members, as well as representatives from organizations focused on employment, recruiters, and other key stakeholders. It was both an official launch and a celebration of the two-and-a-half-year ESF+ project, featuring insightful keynote speakers on diversity in recruitment and jobseeker wellbeing.
The morning began with breakfast in Luckan’s Torget (event hall), providing attendees with an opportunity to connect and network. This was followed by an introduction to Luckan Integration and the JobBuddies project, highlighting the team’s work since its start in September 2024.
Researcher Jonna Louvrier delivered an engaging presentation on the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and recent developments in the field. She emphasized the advantages of integrating DEI principles into recruitment practices. Lotta Vuoristo, Chief People Officer at Rovio, shared how diversity is fostered within her organization and the positive impact it has had on Rovio’s growth and success. Kati Ojeda from Bieni Coaching then guided participants through strategies to maintain personal wellbeing during the often-stressful job search process, particularly in challenging economic times.
Following the keynote speeches, participants had the opportunity to engage in discussions, ask questions, and share their insights on the topics covered. The event was well attended, with 45 participants actively contributing to the conversations. Attendees appreciated the relevance of the discussions and the chance to build meaningful connections with individuals they might not normally encounter. One of the participants commented: Everything was fantastic—thank you for the great kick-off! Seeing Finns with warm smiles reassures me that every challenge I’ve faced has been worth it.
The JobBuddies team looks forward to organizing more events like this in the future, continuing to foster connections, support jobseekers, and promote inclusive recruitment practices.