Nokia has partnered with UNICEF and Orange Foundation to launch a programme aimed at empowering marginalized young people, particularly girls, in Morocco with digital, entrepreneurial, and environmental skills.
As part of the UPSHIFT program, it will enable young people to support and give back to their communities as well as become increasingly productive through employment or self-employment. The UPSHIFT social innovation and venture curriculum is featured as part of the World Bank’s Solutions for Youth Employment portfolio.
The proramme will see at least 1,400 young people, of which at least 60% will be girls receive training in transferable skills such as working with others, self-esteem, creativity, and communication. They will also be supported in digital skills development and in raising their awareness of climate change challenges. At least 500 young people will benefit from the social innovation curriculum, while roughly 250 young people will be assisted in developing projects to launch youth-led ventures.
Orange Morocco, through its Foundation, will join forces to assist and train the young people enrolled in the UPSHIFT program. Its employees will also contribute in the different stages of the program on selected areas such as digital skills.
The project will be run in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education (Second Chance Schools initiative) and the Ministry of Youth (Youth Houses and Women centers).
Naseem Awl, Representative Ad-Interim at UNICEF Morocco, said: “This program shows the value of different partners – both public and private –in coming together in support of young people and the development of their skills. Nokia is contributing important direct support but also engaging directly through its employees along with Orange Morocco’s with young people in sharing their time, expertise, and mentorship. We, at UNICEF Morocco, see this as a positive example for sustainable programmes for young people that are rooted in national strategies for impact and strengthened with innovation and community engagement.”
Hendrik Kasteel, CEO at Orange Morocco, said: “The Orange Foundation is proud to join this program alongside UNICEF and Nokia with the objective of developing digital skills and promoting the professional integration of marginalized young Moroccans. Convinced of our experience to help them build their professional know-how, we will provide these young project leaders training in digital skills that are essential for the design of their projects and coach them to achieve their objectives with the help of Orange employees in skills sponsorship.”
Pierre Chaume, VP, North, and West Africa Market Unit at Nokia, said: “We believe in the power of collaboration to drive development, and are proud to team up with Orange Foundation to support our partner UNICEF’s flagship program, UPSHIFT, in Morocco. By together focusing on youth social innovation and entrepreneurship, we will empower underprivileged youth and equip them with digital, entrepreneurial, and green skills.”
