Award-winning and funded: Inclusive processes for more efficient energy distribution
A living process
Diversity in companies is a living process that must be continuously rethought. It is important to constantly question where new opportunities lie and how structures can be made even more effective and sustainable.
This is where the new HRV – Hannover Region "ZUKUNFT braucht VIELFALT" (The future needs diversity) funding comes in. With a grant of up to €10,000, it supports regional companies in implementing appropriate measures to strengthen their diversity. In 2025, SKM Gesellschaft für Niederspannungs-Systemtechnik GmbH from Isernhagen also benefited from this funding, which enabled it to advance its development processes in a targeted manner.
Award winner receives funding
After SKM Gesellschaft für Niederspannungs-Systemtechnik GmbH won the FUTURE needs DIVERSITY Award of the Hannover Region in 2024, the motivation to further promote diversity was even greater. The manufacturer of switchgear and power distribution systems impressed not with a single measure, but above all with the consistent involvement of a wide variety of stakeholders – from the various management levels to the employees in their everyday work. It is precisely this broad commitment that shows how diversity can be successfully implemented in a company.
With financial support from the new Hannover Region funding guideline "ZUKUNFT braucht VIELFALT" (HRV), another building block for greater diversity in the company has now been implemented.
The successfully implemented funding project
As part of the funded project, SKM GmbH, together with external expert support, comprehensively analyzed its internal processes, systematically incorporating the diversity of its employees. The aim was to systematically record the different requirements of employees from various diversity dimensions – including migration history and nationality, physical and mental abilities, age, and social background – which are increasingly reflected in the workforce.
These findings were then incorporated into the creation of specifications for new software to be procured, so that future digital solutions would take into account the actual needs of all employees.
In the course of the process analysis, workflows were thoroughly reviewed, barriers identified, and potential for optimization revealed—an important step in making work processes more inclusive, efficient, and future-proof. The analysis results were recorded in a structured specification sheet, which served as the basis for selecting a new ERP system. In the subsequent selection phase, SKM GmbH researched suitable providers and tested the systems for efficiency, accessibility, and user-friendliness. Employees from various departments were actively involved and were able to directly evaluate the systems. This resulted in a sound basis for decision-making that took both technical and organizational requirements into account.
The project achieved key improvements that will strengthen the company in the long term. Age-appropriate processes were developed to meet the needs of different generations. At the same time, accessible structures were created that make it much easier for employees with different physical or mental abilities to access information and processes. Language barriers were also reduced by revising work instructions and making them easier to understand.
The selection of a diversity-oriented ERP system also created an important foundation for inclusive, efficient, and sustainable workflows . Overall, the newly designed process landscape leads to improved collaboration, makes existing potential more clearly visible, and strengthens a corporate culture that actively promotes diversity.
© SKM GmbH Exciting funding guidelines for your company
The HRV – Hannover Region "ZUKUNFT braucht VIELFALT" (The future needs diversity) funding program subsidizes projects by regional companies that address at least one of the core dimensions of diversity and initiate and further develop new operational processes and organizational forms, or significantly increase the level of knowledge on the subject of diversity among company employees. Themes may include diversity in employee recruitment, onboarding, and retention, corporate image, corporate culture, leadership culture, and relationships with customers and suppliers.
Feel free to contact us with your project idea for promoting diversity in your company!
Contact
Melanie Albrecht
Hanover Region
Economic Development
Department of Economic and Employment Development
Finja Hartwig
Hanover Region
Economic Development
Department of Economic and Employment Development
