The ICEF Education Fund will support various projects around the world and is kicking off the year by helping CEAC@Digital in Brazil, which provides IT training to young people living in Brazilian slums.

Markus Badde, CEO of ICEF, said, “Our 20th anniversary was a big milestone and it encouraged us to reflect on some of the important values we hold as a company. Of course, we emphasise business-to-business relationships in our work but we do so with a commitment to the opportunities for growth and development that education represents for individuals and communities.”

Badde said that he and his team wanted to create a way for us to make a direct contribution to disadvantaged communities and students around the world. “Through supporting selected causes, we hope to help young people around the world to get educated and find employment.”

A way for us to make a direct contribution to disadvantaged communities and students

CEAC@Digital is part of the Center for Digital Inclusion (CEAC), a non-governmental organisation that provides IT training and facilities to the favela’s youth. CEAC has been working in the Morro dos Macacos community for over 25 years and during this time, has helped many young people get out of a life of crime and prepared them for work. As a result, many of these young people have found good employment and lead happy, safe lives.

Through the Education Fund, ICEF has contributed US$ 7000 to this charity, which will go towards providing student scholarships, paying teachers’ salaries and improving the training centre. It is encouraging others to add further.