SAP Social Sabbatical — We have a dream!
One week ago my month-long journey in Albania as part of the SAP SoSa concluded and I am overwhelmed with a deep sense of gratitude. It’s astonishing how quickly time flies when you’re fully engaged in something completely different than the normal routine. The past month has been an extraordinary journey, brimming with countless blessings that render me speechless when I try to express my emotions. There are still numerous learnings and memories that I haven’t had the opportunity to fully digest and absorb. For sure, I am already proud to see how quickly Roma Versitas Albania (RVA) implements our recommendations.
Are you familiar with the SAP SoSa Program? It’s a global initiative that allows SAP employees to contribute their knowledge and skills to non-profit organizations(NPO) and social enterprises for 4 weeks. By doing so, we support these organizations in their efforts to make a positive impact on communities and social causes worldwide. The program is a collaboration between SAP and Pyxera Global, and it has been running for 10 years with the goal of creating social impact. Through this program, SAP demonstrates its commitment to “helping the world run better and improving people’s lives,” not just as a corporate slogan, but as a tangible reality achieved through the dedication of its employees.
What does it feel like when you are on SoSa? Picture yourself in a situation where you are immersed in a completely unfamiliar culture. Everything around you is new — the language, the people, the way of life. You find yourself venturing into uncharted territory, discovering new ways of thinking and adding value to NPOs with ambitious missions that touch the heart. In this new environment, you are far away from your loved ones, your daily routines, and the familiar surroundings of your usual work. Instead, you embrace the unknown, learning and exploring each day. You listen with an open mind, seeing life through the eyes of the local people. You strive to understand their reality and the local needs, working together to bring success to their communities.
From the first meeting with Roma Versitas Albania in January we were blown away at the passion of the founder and Executive Director of RVA and the entrepreneurial spirit of their Secretary General. It was already feeling heartwarming when at the end of the meeting the Executive Director told us that the way we work together at RVA “it’s like one big family”. Before last week, the NPO had a focus on three key areas in their strategy: Education, Employment, and Participation. Programs implemented by the RVA organization aimed to benefit the Roma and Egyptian communities residing in Albania. However, the NPO encountered difficulties in traditional fundraising methods and were in need of conducting a strategic assessment of their structure. The purpose of this evaluation was to identify any existing practices and services that could be utilized to generate additional income for the organization.
The SAP project team consisted of Ana Umgelter from Brazil, Magdalena Lanig from Germany, and me, a Swedish American. The willingness of RVA to openly discuss all aspects of their work was truly remarkable! We swiftly gained a comprehensive understanding of their entire operation, from the motivations behind RVA’s establishment to their strategic approach and the successful execution of their projects. Emiliano and Xhenson treated us with genuine warmth, openness, and transparency, making us feel like part of the family when discussing RVA and beyond. We soon discovered that engaging in business discussions over a cup of espresso at the black pearl is an incredibly effective approach in Albania!
RVA’s purpose is to contribute to social inclusion and acceptance of Roma in the society and support the establishment of equal opportunities for Roma and non-Roma without discrimination. In order to achieve their goals, they carry out various projects. At present, they are involved in three specific initiatives. The first project focuses on enhancing the academic achievements and employability of Roma secondary school students in Albania. The second project aims to improve the access and involvement of Roma students in higher education, as well as their successful transition into the job market. Lastly, the third project, called WinForVET, supports vocational education and training, enabling Roma individuals to enter the workforce. Additionally, this initiative empowers stakeholders to implement measures that aid in the successful employment of Roma individuals. These projects impact hundreds of Roma and Egyptian youths and young adults changing their lives immeasurably for the better.
The 3 ongoing projects are a big help for RVA’s strategic pillars Formal Education and Employment, but there is currently missing activity in the other pillars Participation and the newly added Social Inclusion pillars. For Formal Education RVA is providing assistance and guidance to Roma students throughout their educational journey, with the aim of fostering their independence & enabling them to become educated and active members of society who contribute to the other pillars. For Employment RVA is having Roma graduates employed in public administration that are focused on Education, Employment, Health, Justice and Social Protection to be decision makers in matters concerning the Roma community’s advancement & development. For Participation and Social Inclusion RVA needs additional projects and to work with partners. Participation is about having politically well-educated Roma people actively participating in elections and having a strong representation of Roma in politics fighting for their needs and interests. Social Inclusion is having educated Roma advocating for human rights and supporting the establishment of equal opportunities for Roma and non-Roma without discrimination. With the fervor and enterprising nature displayed by the RVA team, I am confident that success will be achieved in the Participation and Social Inclusion pillars in short order!
In the end I am super happy to already check out the RVA website and see that the new strategy is already up to date with what we worked on together as well as published KPIs to measure success + increase external visibility with the current and potential donors. So many memorable moments, inspiration, and a strong bond with my SoSa Albania colleagues are already changing me with a broadened perspective! It’s only been a week since I returned and I still need to take some time so my reflections settle fully in, so you can look forward to another post about this experience sometime in the near future 😊
#SAP #SocialSabbatical #WingsofChange #Albania #SAP4Good #LifeatSAP #probono #growthmindset #Tirana
