NIBEL- Núcleo de Inovação e Bem-Estar Laboral opens in Oliveira de Azeméis to transform organizational culture aims to transform the Portuguese and European employment paradigm
Oliveira de Azeméis, May 9th - O NIBEL - Center for Innovation and Welfare at Work, a Europe's first incubator entirely dedicated to the research, development and acceleration of innovative solutions geared towards the mental health, well-being and happiness at work aThe Ul/Loureiro Business Center opened this Friday in Oliveira de Azeméis.
The pioneering initiative is being developed by ADRITEM - Integrated Regional Development Association of the Lands of Santa Maria, in co-promotion with Gaiurb, as part of the project Start In, with the aim of fundamentally transforming the Portuguese and European labor paradigm.
"The inauguration of NIBEL marks the beginning of a new era, where well-being is no longer just a plan and becomes the foundation of a more enterprising, humane and happy region," said the ADRITEM Director António Luís Grifo at the project's inauguration ceremony.
The incubator aims to position the region as a European benchmark for innovation with a social impact. By bringing together companies, public institutions, universities, researchers and civil society organizations, NIBEL sees itself as a platform for the profound transformation of corporate culture, and promoting the flexibility and adaptation of solutions to carry out this transformation.
NIBEL was created to drive the creation of innovative solutions in the areas of well-being, emotional health and organizational happiness. Its mission is clear: supporting ideas that transform work into a place of balance, creativity, productivity and human fulfillment, in any sector of activity.
The project is a concrete response to the contemporary challenges facing organizations and the growing demands of a market that values human capital, innovation with purpose and positive social impact.
“Happiness at Work - Service with Purpose”
NIBEL's presentation was part of the initiative “Happiness at Work - Service with Purpose”, an interactive event with a dynamic format that had an institutional opening with a speech by Mayor of Oliveira de Azeméis, host of the event and NIBEL's main public founder.
“We embraced from the outset this exciting possibility of creating an incubator linked to well-being and mental health at work, in a region with a strong industrial vocation. This is a necessary and pioneering response”, said Joaquim Jorge Ferreira.
In your institutional message, Maria Manuel Leitão Marques, former minister and MEP said: "The solutions can't all be the same, but the goal is common. We must replicate good practices and measure them. Well-being in the workplace means less absenteeism, more involvement, fewer mistakes, more talent retention" summed up ADRITEM's non-executive director at the ceremony.
The Non-Executive Director of ADRITEM emphasized the importance of the third sector, recalling that this “You have to start thinking about profit, which may not only be financial, but also about sustainability in terms of what each of us can contribute.”. According to Teresa Pouzada, “Community networks have been successful because the strategy is made in participatory assemblies, involving people.”.
In the same vein, another speaker, José Manuel Ribeiro, Mayor of Valongo, spoke about building healthy working environments in local authorities: “People are at the center - they make the difference in companies and municipalities. We always have the power to empower people.”
Official inauguration of NIBEL
A NIBEL's formal inauguration took place with the premiere of the project's institutional video and a session dedicated to presenting the Nucleus' mission and objectives. The founding organizations shared their commitment to developing a new working culture.
The founders' speeches reinforced the importance of linking social innovation with public policies, responsible business practices and inspiring leaders. NIBEL was born as a meeting place between strategic vision, scientific knowledge and action with a social impact.
NIBEL's network of founding partners
The project is supported by a vast network of founding partners which include companies, academic institutions, public bodies and civil society organizations.
Companies:
Simoldes (Main sponsor), Valente Marques, Novarroz, SF Schneider Form, CHETO.
Academia:
CBS - Coimbra Business School, ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, ISPAGAYA - Instituto Politécnico de Gaya, ISVOUGA - Instituto Superior de Entre Douro e Vouga, ISLA - Instituto Politécnico de Gestão e Tecnologia, Escola Superior de Saúde Norte da Cruz Vermelha, Universidade UNIGRANRIO, Universidade de Vassouras.
Local authorities and the public sector:
Oliveira de Azeméis City Council, Valongo City Council.
Civil society:
Academia da Felicidade, Start In, Gaiurb, Portugal Inovação Social.