How Intesa Sanpaolo fosters culture of inclusion against gender gap in workplace

In fact, the bank is the number one bank in Europe, number two in the world, and the only Italian bank among the 100 most inclusive and diversity-conscious workplaces, according to the Refinitiv Global Diversity and Inclusion Index 2022.

It was also among the first in Europe to obtain the independent international diversity certification GEEIS-Diversity certification and the first major Italian banking group to be awarded the gender equality certification provided for in the EU’s NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan).

Intesa Sanpaolo’s Women Value Company Award is now in its sixth year and at the recent ceremony, the bank announced the availability of €500 million for supporting and promoting female entrepreneurship and to help increase the contribution of women to the country’s economic and social development.

Some of this is being used on training courses, says Roscio – both for men and women. “It’s not just about including women, it’s about making sure the whole organisation is involved in the culture.”

The bank also has in place a Rules for Combating Sexual Harassment document. This, says Roscio, “contributes to the creation of an environment in which everyone’s rights are respected. It leads to a better and more inclusive atmosphere. It also helps everyone feel free to express themselves at their best.”

In the Western Balkans and in Albania the gender gap in entrepreneurship remains large and norms remain largely favourable to men. “Entrepreneurship is still being reported as a ‘masculine’ undertaking,” says Elena Balliu, head of the Small Business Department at Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, Albania.

The World Bank estimates that Albania loses 20% of its potential gross domestic product per capita every year due to the low rate of participation by women in the labour force. Women are overrepresented in unpaid or poorly paid sectors and earn lower average wages.

“As a group with untapped potential for the Albanian economy, in the last decades initiatives in support of female economic empowerment have been numerous,” says Balliu. “However, not many of them have resulted in concrete, long-lasting policy actions in support of female entrepreneurship.”