​ KCS IT and the Portuguese Refugee Council (CPR) have joined forces to empower refugees, through a program aimed at developing digital skills and creating opportunities for those seeking protection in Portugal. At the same time, the Social Responsibility initiatives put in place aim to raise awareness among the company's employees and civil society at large about the challenges faced by these populations, who flee conflict, persecution, and human rights violations.

Through software development using an e-learning platform, the project Ref. PT/2020/FAMI/526 – "e-CPR: proximity – knowledge – practices" (funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund – FAMI) will be implemented using JavaScript; digital skills training aimed at unaccompanied children, and  reviewing the résumés of refugees for possible integration into the tech company's teams are some of the actions scheduled for 2023. In March, the process begins with a group of 16 refugees.

According to Alexandra Carvalho, Project Coordinator at CPR, "this partnership with KCS IT will be key to improving the lives of international protection applicants and unaccompanied minors supported by CPR, by boosting their inclusion in Portugal through increased digital skills and subsequent professional integration. At the same time, it will be a good opportunity to raise companies' awareness of asylum and refugee issues, promoting a corporate culture that supports the integration of refugees in Portugal."

Alongside the main goal of providing refugees with digital and personal skills, there is also the goal of mobilizing Portuguese civil society to respond effectively to current challenges, in particular by seeking to raise awareness among the company's employees about the different areas of social responsibility and how they can get involved.

"Through this cooperation, we hope to accelerate and strengthen the process of integrating refugees into our community, bringing our technological know-how as the main tool for this partnership," says Jorge Vara, Director of KCS IT's Consulting Services Business Division. "Helping empower refugees and adding value to their reception is, for us, a fundamental pillar of our company's commitment to society," he concludes.

Organizations should, as much as possible, be able to generate value for their business, but also take a stand of concern for the future. If companies are made of and for people, it's necessary to ensure that people actively participate in society, promoting change toward an ever-better world.