Konexio

Konexio is a catalyst for inclusion through tech training. We connect refugees with economic opportunities in their local communities.

The problem that Konexio seeks to solve is the pressing issue of integration and employment for refugees. This problem revolves around three key facts:

1. There are currently 65 million displaced persons globally.

2. In France, where Konexio operates, there are over 200,000 refugees and asylum seekers, and the unemployment rate within this group is over 50%.

3. On average it takes 20 years for refugees to reach the same employment level as nationals.

However, according to the European Commission, 1€ invested in integration efforts can yield 2€ in economic benefits. Furthermore, it is is estimated that there will be 1 million vacancies in jobs requiring digital skills in Europe by 2020, while a staggering 90 % of jobs across Europe already require candidates to have at least a basic level of digital literacy.

Our solution is to provide digital and soft skills training to our students, thus providing them with opportunities for professional, social and educational development and a pathway to integration in their host community.

We currently operate two programs out of our headquarters in Paris. Developed in line with digital skills standards recognized at both the European and international level, our digital skills program consists of a sequence of cumulative courses covering basic computer use and internet navigation to word processing (Microsoft Word) and spreadsheet proficiency (Microsoft Excel).

Our code skills program starts with basic concepts of web development. Digitous is the following course and a 2-step program. The first part involves a full stack curriculum, while the second focuses on hands-on learning by working on tech projects for businesses to give Konexio students access to their first professional experience in France.

In addition to digital and code skills training, we organize workshops focused on soft skills. Soft skills training, which requires an intimate knowledge of social and cultural codes, are particularly important for our refugee students looking to integrate in France. These interpersonal skills, such as effective communication, teamwork and working in collaborative environments, self-confidence, time management, self-expression and making public presentations, are as important and necessary as digital skills training -- both are needed for a streamlined integration not only into the job market, but into the social fabrics of their new host communities.

Big changes grow out of commitment to the initial small steps. Konexio's potential for great impact comes from our experience seeing firsthand the positive changes our courses have produced. Since launching in 2016, we’ve worked with over 120 students, 70% of whom have gone on to find work experience, continue their studies in both technical and academic programs, or have created their very own associations or entrepreneurial projects. Given the resources to expand, Konexio would have a platform to increase our workshop offerings to disadvantaged populations not only in France, but throughout Europe and across the globe. Our mission is and always will be to continue to fight to decrease the global gap in access to digital training for the workforce of tomorrow.

Our distinctiveness comes from using highly innovative digital technologies. Our e-learning platform is adapted to the different learning needs of our students, leveraging our team’s educational expertise in working with refugees. We also focus on community-building and social connections between hosts and refugees through the blended learning model (mix of in-person teaching and online practice). Finally, we work closely with our local and international partners who support our learners and our actions. Tailored to our audience, we have networks of resources for each type of support -- language courses, housing, administrative or legal advice.

Technology is at the core of Konexio’s programs. For example, our full-stack curriculum is focused on tech skills that are the most sought after in the labor market today. We teach the most in-demand coding languages (HTML/CSS/Javascript and Node JS/React JS). Our method across all program levels blends classroom teaching and personalized learning on an innovative e-learning platform created in partnership with Crossknowledge, the global leader in digital learning solutions. Our adapted tech tools allow us to provide solutions to all our students, from those learning computer literacy for the first time to students learning complex code languages.

Over the next 12 months, Konexio is working to actively expand its programs across France. We are steadily expanding in Paris, and are working to export our model to French cities including Lyon and Marseille. In early 2019, we will launch Konexio pilots in refugee camps in Malawi in collaboration with the Jesuit Refugee Services. Our two digital platforms--our e-learning platform and a professional mentorship platform created through Stanford University’s Code for Change project -- will aid in our expansion and diversification plans.

Our vision is to be the national reference for digital skills training in France. With this comes an expansion of our targeted publics from not only refugees and migrants but to several other disadvantaged populations, including young people in low-income areas, single mothers, school dropouts, and unemployed citizens looking for new skills training. We also aim to launch in other European countries, including Italy, Greece, and Belgium. While expanding in Europe, we will continue to leverage partnerships with international organizations like the Jesuit Refugee Service and Libraries Without Borders to expand Konexio trainings worldwide.

We leverage partnerships with local organizations already working with refugees and other disadvantaged populations for recruitment. Our partners promote our training workshops to their publics, and we also leverage the use of our social media platforms. As we grow, our former students have also become one of our strongest forms of recruitment. Our workshops are organized at community centers across Paris, where we have access to computer labs. With the use of our e-learning platform, students have the opportunity to follow in-person courses, but to also follow along via the web platform if they cannot always be in class.

Our beneficiaries are refugees and migrants who are looking for pathways to socio-economic and job market integration in France. Since 2016, we have taught 120 students in 16 course promotions and currently have 60+ students on our waitlist. Of the former students surveyed in our impact evaluation, 70% have enrolled in educational programs, found jobs or started their own entrepreneurial projects. 94% stated they’ve gained valuable digital skills they continue to use everyday, and 94% feel more integrated in their communities.

In the next year, our training programs will reach 200 additional students in France and abroad. In three years, we estimate this to be over 2,000. We have, and will continue to create real impact in our students' lives by providing the digital and soft skills necessary for job market access and professional/personal development, both of which promote long-term integration. In three years time, this population will continue to include refugees while also incorporating unemployed locals and school dropouts. The positive effects we will continue to see include access to professional opportunities, integration, and economic mobility.

Our team of dedicated long-term volunteers boast a variety of unique skills. We’re refugees, locals, men, women, old, and young who have faced challenges that make digital inclusion and job access personally important to us.Our team is made up of individuals from over 12 countries who speak 10 different maternal languages, including French, Arabic, and English. We have web developers, public relations and business operations specialists, as well as individuals with expertise in project management, IT, human rights law and fundraising.

Our current funding comes from donations, a crowdfund campaign and grants from Paris city government. As we expand and add a social enterprise arm, we plan to diversify our revenue streams. With this hybrid status, we are looking to implement two key revenue models:

1. A tech headhunter with a social mission. Student is a self-employed entrepreneur and Konexio receives a fee from the client firm. The talent sourcing arm of the organization is for-profit, while our training-based code school is non-profit.

2. A tech contractor with a social mission. A Konexio team of students is put on a freelance project. Konexio is responsible for managing the project and providing deliverables as a contractor. The for-profit arm of the organization is the project team while our training-based code school is non-profit.

With digital skills and digitally-trained talent in growing demand across Europe -- 90% of jobs across the continent require the use of digital skills, and Europe will have over 1 million vacant jobs requiring digitally-skilled workers b 2020 -- we have a solution that will not only allow companies to fill this market demand for talent, but to do so by supporting diversity, social inclusion, and championing corporate social responsibility.

We are applying to Solve because we believe that our initiative provides a solution for the challenge of how populations on the losing end of the digital and technology divide can overcome this through increased access to digital learning and training initiatives. Our emphasis on building communities of support and leveraging innovative tech tools will help our students create productive lives for themselves in their new host communities, and the Solve network of opportunities and resources will bring us even closer to our goal of championing job access and inclusion for all in the digital age.

One of the key barriers to our solution is the financial aspect. We need adequate funds to be able to not only find spaces to provide our training workshops, but to also purchase training materials (i.e. laptops, software licenses, etc.), and to hire more instructors and hire a full-time staff/not reliant solely on our volunteer base. Solve would help in providing these funds and in giving Konexio even more visibility, as well as partnership and mentorship opportunities.