The Incluir Programme, developed by the Jerónimo Martins Group to promote employability of people at a disadvantage in accessing the
labour market, has been recognized a world-class initiative in the field of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) by the World Economic Forum.
The Incluir Programme is one of eight case studies, and the only one from Portugal, featured in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lighthouses 2025 Insight Report, a
report developed by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the New Economy and Society. This document aims to reveal and highlight business initiatives with
significant social impact, selected after analysis by a panel of experts, and to share best DEI practices with business and public sector leaders around the world.
According to Susana Correia de Campos, Employee Relations and Internal Social Responsibility Global Director at the Grupo Jerónimo Martins, “this recognition by the
World Economic Forum positions the Jerónimo Martins Group as a global reference in the implementation of best practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. On the
other hand, it validates the path we have developed with an inclusive approach towards the communities we belong to, focused on creating employment and
training opportunities, and serves as an important incentive for the strong and continuous involvement of our teams in this key mission, which has contributed to
strengthening the Group's culture and fostering team spirit”.
Created in 2015, the Incluir Programme aims to promote employability for groups of people in disadvantaged situations in accessing the labour market, with a focus on
people with disabilities, migrants and refugees, and people at social risk, through skills improvement and the creation of employment opportunities.
Since its creation, the programme has had more than 1,700 participants, provided more than 1,000 job opportunities and directly led to the hiring of more than 800
people by the Group and its Companies in Portugal.
More than 2,820 employees of the Group have already received training to take on the role of in-house mentors and develop the potential of people in disadvantaged
situations. As part of this programme, the Jerónimo Martins Group has established over 100 partnerships with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) specialized in
social inclusion to assist in identifying potential candidates, and has carried out more than 500 technical adaptations to the Group's facilities to accommodate people with
disabilities.
The Incluir Centres, which the Group built from the ground up in Lisbon and Porto, embody the purpose of the initiative. These Centres operate follow an innovative
training and development methodology, tailored to each trainee and adapted to the functions available within each of the Group’s business areas.
The first phase of training takes place in the classroom, focusing on behaviour and relationship skills and practical training in the centre’s simulation store.
This is followed by the second phase, where trainees get on-the-job training and are monitored by mentors – employees charged with monitoring and training each
trainee in the workplace – and the Inclusion team. After completing these two phases, trainees will be ready to be employed by the Group companies.
The Jerónimo Martins Group’s inclusion policies have received domestic and international distinctions. Since 2021, the Jerónimo Martins Group’s holding has been
awarded as Inclusive Employer Entity Brand by the Portuguese Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), reaching the Excellence level in 2023.
Recheio Cash & Carry has also held the Inclusive Employer Entity Brand since 2021, while Pingo Doce has had this distinction since 2023.
The Incluir Programme was awarded in the first edition of the European Commerce Awards, by EuroCommerce, as the best practice in the Qualification and Inclusion category.