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São Paulo, January 24th, 2022 – IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is leading a technical training initiative to boost employment opportunities for forcibly displaced populations (FDPs) living in shelters in Boa Vista (Roraima state), Brazil. "Fronteira Digital" (Digital Border) is supported by a partnership established with Microsoft Participações, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR Brazil), and Associação Voluntários para o Serviço Internacional Brasil (AVSI Brasil). The project is part of an IFC initiative funded by the Japanese government to involve the private sector in developing solutions for forcibly displaced population in Brazil and strengthen the role of the private sector in promoting values such as diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities. The pilot project lasts four months and offers customized training for 30 people, which includes Microsoft 365 and Power Platform courses available on Microsoft's e-learning platform, as well as mentoring and follow-up sessions. The aim is to expand participants' technological skills and increase their employment opportunities. The project also provides for improvements in the computer lab in Boa Vista, where courses are held, and awareness sessions for companies participating in the Fórum Empresas com Refugiados (Companies with Refugees Forum). The goal is to employ at least 60 percent of participants. Companies that do not participate in the Forum can also volunteer for the program. "Promoting training and employability for FDPs and migrants in vulnerable situations is an important component in stimulating inclusive economic growth in Brazil. The project also demonstrates that diversity and inclusion are important drivers of sustainable businesses," says Carlos Leiria Pinto, IFC's Country Manager in Brazil. "Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more and, through projects such as Fronteira Digital, we have not only managed to help expand the technical capacity of refugees and migrants, but also increase their chances of getting a job by offering equal opportunities," says Franklin Luzes, Vice President of Innovation, Transformation and New Business at Microsoft Brazil. The first stage of the initiative was the hiring of personnel and equipping the AVSI Brasil laboratory near the shelters managed by the organization and by UNHCR in the capital of Roraima, within the framework of Operação Acolhida (Operation Welcome)– a government response to the refugees and migrants coming from Venezuela to Brazil. In addition to setting up new equipment and software, the project also provides an instructor to answer questions and support professionals participating in the initiative. The second stage consisted of training and mentoring provided by the Microsoft Brasil team. Participants were divided into three classes, complying with the recommendations set out by the health authorities in Brazil. The first week of the course was online and individual. The following week, participants interacted with the instructor to discuss content, get answers to their questions, and do certification tests. The third and final stage optimizes the process of finding jobs for participants. The project will identify opportunities at the volunteer companies, and successful applicants will be moved to the cities where the jobs are based. The intention is to direct candidates to positions in technology companies and/or companies with vacancies that require people with basic knowledge of software. "The access to the labor market and the digital inclusion of refugees are essential elements within the UN 2030 Agenda in ensuring no one is left behind. Refugees have a lot of knowledge and make possible for them to reach the right tools for their own development is key to achieve the self-sufficiency they seek" says Jose Egas, the UNHCR Representative in Brazil. About AVSIAVSI Brasil is a non-profit organization based in Brazil for over 35 years, initially as a subsidiary and partner of AVSI Foundation and later as a Brazilian organization. AVSI Brasil's mission is to support people, in situations of vulnerability or humanitarian emergency, to become protagonists of their own development, through social projects in different areas. Last year, from January to December, AVSI Brasil developed 26 projects, with the commitment of 590 employees, directly benefiting 466,200 people, with an investment of R$57,7 million in social projects. About ACNURUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.UNHCR leads international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. The UN Agency for Refugees delivers life-saving assistance, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place called home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality.The organization works in over 130 countries, using its expertise to protect and care for millions. About Microsoft ParticipaçõesMicrosoft Participações is a whole owned subsidiary of Microsoft Brazil stablished to nurture Brazilian start up ecosystem through the participation in two seed caption funds: BR Startups and Women Entrepreneurship. About IFCIFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. Stay Connectedwww.ifc.org/lac www.twitter.com/IFC_LAC www.linkedin.com/company/ifc-américa-latina-y-el-caribe www.facebook.com/IFCwbg www.instagram.com/ifc_org/ www.youtube.com/IFCvideocasts www.twitter.com/IFC_org www.ifc.org/SocialMediaIndex
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