commUNIties: How international collaboration at UNIQA drives innovation and knowledge transfer

As an integral part of the UNIQA 3.0 Growing Impact strategy programme, the commUNIties were established to connect knowledge and expertise across national and organizational boundaries. They enable colleagues from different markets to exchange best practices, learn from one another and jointly develop solutions that create value across the Group.

14 commUNIties, one shared goal

Today, the network comprises 14 commUNIties covering a broad range of topics – from Transformation, IT, Data & Analytics and Customer Experience to Operations, Claims, Sales, People and ESG, as well as Brand & Communication. Together, they form a unique group-wide network that makes expertise visible, connects specialists across borders and enables faster sharing of knowledge and best practices. 

At the heart of the concept is a simple idea: the best solutions often emerge when different perspectives come together. This is why the commUNIties are cross-country, skill-based and cross-functional. They connect experts regardless of hierarchy or location, creating a strong international network within the UNIQA Group. Their focus is not only on exchanging ideas, but on turning these ideas into practical outcomes that can be shared, scaled and applied across the organization. 

The commUNIties are built around three core objectives: developing solutions for real business challenges, helping members grow their expertise and fostering the continuous exchange of knowledge and best practices across countries and organizational boundaries. In addition, the commUNIties serve as incubators for Key Strategic Initiatives (KSIs) – cross-market projects that contribute directly to the implementation of UNIQA's strategy. 

A network that enables growth

The success of the commUNIties is driven by the engagement of their members – colleagues who are passionate about sharing expertise, learning from others and shaping the future of UNIQA together. They create an environment where learning, collaboration and personal development go hand in hand. 

Being part of a commUNIty offers much more than access to knowledge. Members gain valuable insights into other markets, build international networks and contribute to strategically important topics. At the same time, collaboration with colleagues from different countries and functions broadens perspectives and supports the continuous development of capabilities and future skills. 

Creating visible impact across the group

The value of the commUNIties goes beyond networking and knowledge exchange. Their work increasingly results in practical solutions that improve collaboration, increase transparency and support innovation across the Group. 

For example, the Data & Analytics commUNIty developed a solution that enables external data sources to be integrated centrally and made available across different areas of the Group. This improves access to information and supports data-driven decision-making across countries and functions. 

Another example is the Self-Service Heatmap developed by the Operations commUNIty. It provides a transparent overview of where self-service solutions are already being successfully used across markets and where further opportunities remain. By making this information visible across countries, the Heatmap facilitates the exchange of proven approaches and helps markets learn from one another and accelerate the adoption of successful solutions. 

Projects like these illustrate the power of international collaboration. By connecting expertise across countries and functions, the commUNIties help transform knowledge into action, accelerate innovation and create lasting value for the entire UNIQA Group. 

As UNIQA continues to shape its future, the commUNIties remain a key enabler of collaboration, learning and innovation – proving that the best solutions often emerge when people connect beyond organizational and national boundaries.

Introducing commUNIties 

CommUNIties are a well-established platform for UNIQA employees to bring their talents, ideas, and skills together and to learn from each other. This new way of agile collaboration builds on established practices and fosters cross-country and cross-functional collaboration. CommUNIties, established in 2021, have now evolved to the next level. After three years, there are already 12 commUNIties with over 900 members, heading to expand this agile collaboration model across the entire organization.  

CommUNIty activities offer hands-on experience, exposure to new ideas and technologies, and opportunities to work in an international environment. This engagement helps members to develop new skills, broaden their expertise, and advance their careers. As a commUNIty member, the employee can build an international network and gain a deeper understanding of the organization.

The goal is to work in agile teams and support the implementation of key strategic initiatives, which must meet specific requirements, such as strategically changing an existing status quo, creating a positive impact for many business units with easy scalability for the Group, and being transparent with clearly defined objectives. 

Building connections and driving a change

Initially, the commUNIties model was piloted with a few groups, proving its value for teamwork across functions and countries. This year, the model has been expanding across the entire organization to encourage broader collaboration and the development of talents, ideas, and skills. 

Some commUNIties members from various functions and countries shared their insights into the collaboration and answered questions about their work and roles. It demonstrates how commUNIties not only support the professional success of each individual but also strengthen the entire collaboration across the group.