Work Activity as a Social Factor of Metropolis Sustainable Development: Case of a Non-profit Organization in St. Petersburg (Russia)

The study of activity-centered ergonomics discusses centrality of work in the life of modern society and in the construction of a person’s identity. The article argues that one of the major functions of a work activity is workers’ social integration that improves the quality of their lives and, therefore, ensures sustainability of a metropolis. The age groups that require special attention are older persons and younger people as the most vulnerable groups in the labour market. The present article brings the results of a study conducted in a nongovernmental organization “Center for Women’s Initiatives”. This organization provides space for experience exchange between representatives of older and younger generations that is mainly aimed at improving their manual work skills and enhancing their knowledge. The present research aims to show how work of this center helps to support sustainable development of a modern metropolis, as it ensure integration of vulnerable groups of the population by including them in various work activities.