ReDI school wins first Digital Social Impact Awards for upskilling women from migrant and refugee backgrounds
In December 2023, Denmark held its first Digital Social Impact of the Year Awards Ceremony: and ReDI School of Digital Integration in Denmark won with flying colours. The new Awards, organised with the support of Digital Dogme and DI Digital, aim to highlight initiatives and organisations with a proven impact on bridging the digital skills gap and up- or re-skilling activities that have been extremely successful.
From inclusive programs to access to skills for all
The conference's star of the evening was DSJC Denmark’s own coalition member, ReDI School of Digital Integration Denmark, who won the award of "Digital Social Impact of the Year."
ReDI School of Digital Integration: leaving no one behind
Redi School received the prize because of their extensive and coherent work to help women and non-binary people with a refugee and migrant background to strengthen digital skills to enter the Danish labour market. In fact, more than 60% of students who completed either tech or entry-level education in 2022 have gone on to jobs, traineeships, or further training.
To receive the prize, both the director of Redi School Denmark, Vibe Lindgård Bach, and Nooshin Lashgari. In the words of ibe Lindgård Bach:
“We are proud to receive such a premature price, not least because it is the companies, the potential employers, who are behind it. The prize highlights that we are successful in getting women furthest from the labour market on board. It costs our businesses and society a lot of money when we fail to help these women enter the Danish labour market, where they can contribute to the economy of society as a whole. The effect is a change in the opportunities of an individual woman, which will benefit several generations in the future."
Digital competence and lifelong learning
Why ReDI? Breaking down barriers
ReDI School Denmark was awarded by a panel of judges, who stated that:
“Redi School Danmark is making a unique effort to create social impact through digital upskilling and shows that digital competences have life-changing potential for individuals and are a huge strength for society as a whole. The organisation moves the boundaries of what digital competence can mean for individuals and families. In a world where an increasing number of people are fleeing war, hunger and poverty, it is crucial that we find ways to equip refugees with resources and skills. Not least women, who may be particularly vulnerable, but also have an enormous impact on the ability of their families to survive.”
Awards panel
The prize was awarded by judge panel-member and chair, André Rogaczewski (Adm. Director of Netcompany), together with a panel consisting of:
- André Rogaczewski, Adm. Director of Netcompany (Chair)
- Lilian Mogensen, Prof. board member and adviser, Fhv. Director, ATP and Udbetaling Danmark
- Nana Bule, Special Advisor to Goldman Sachs and Chairman of the Government Digitalisation Committee
- Louisa Loran, Head of Supply Chain i Logistics in Google
- Henrik Lund, Director of the Employment and Integration Administration, Copenhagen Municipality
Image credit: Digital Dogme
