Power to the people: Meet UBS Global Visionary Powercoders

“We live in a world where talent is universal, but opportunities are not.”?

This is the reality that drives #UBSGlobalVisionaries Bettina Hirsig and Christian Hirsig every day as they work to scale Powercoders .?

Powercoders connects the untapped potential of refugees and migrants with the unmet needs of the information and communication technology (ICT) industry – fostering diversity, innovation, and growth.?

I had an opportunity to talk with the cofounders about their journey from 2016 to today, and how they plan to continue to grow their impact in the years ahead. Dive in below!?

For those not familiar with your work, break it down for us in the simplest terms, what is the problem you’re trying to address??

A: At its core, the problem we aim to address is the significant barrier to economic inclusion that refugees and migrants face. They often struggle with unemployment or underemployment due to a lack of local work experience, language barriers, or recognition of their qualifications. At the same time, the ICT industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals, limiting its growth and innovation potential.?

Our solution is to connect these dots: by equipping refugees and migrants with in-demand tech skills, we enable them to access meaningful career opportunities while filling the talent gap in the tech industry. Powercoders focuses on training refugees and migrants in Switzerland, while Remotecoders provides remote employment opportunities, expanding our impact globally.?

What inspired you to work with refugees? Why did you decide that the ICT industry was where you could make the most impact??

A: The inspiration for Powercoders began in 2016, during the Syrian refugee crisis, with a deep desire to create sustainable, life-changing opportunities for refugees. Witnessing the talent, resilience, and untapped potential of refugees in Switzerland, we saw a chance to bridge a critical gap: while refugees often struggle to integrate into the local workforce, the ICT industry faces a growing skills shortage. By combining these two realities, we realized we could drive impactful change.?

We know from our own experience that the ICT sector, with its relatively low barriers to entry and constant demand for new talent, provides an ideal platform to empower refugees through coding and tech skills. This approach not only transforms individual lives but also contributes to a more inclusive and diverse tech community, while addressing the sector’s talent shortage.?

Now, how does your approach to driving impact differ from others in the space??

A: Our approach stands out by seamlessly combining education (SDG 4), decent work (SDG 8), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) into one coherent model. We not only train refugees in technical skills but also provide holistic support, including mentorship, job placement, and ongoing career development. This comprehensive model ensures that participants are prepared for the demands of the job market and that employers see the value in hiring diverse talent. Additionally, our model extends beyond borders. Remotecoders leverages remote work to connect IT talent in underserved regions, like Egypt, with international clients, promoting global inclusivity and economic empowerment. Our approach is built on creating lasting change by addressing both the supply and demand sides of the labor market.?

Great to see you growing internationally! When it comes to achieving scalability, what’s been your biggest win recently? What’s still a possible hurdle in the horizon??

A: Powercoders has achieved sustainable financing, with 60% of its funding coming from the ICT industry and 40% from the government. Our journey began with crucial support from foundations and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) to launch the program.?

Remotecoders, a newer initiative, is still in its early stages. It operates as part of a 3-year Sustainable Development Cooperation (SDC) program but hasn’t yet reached the scale and sustainability of Powercoders. Although SDC has committed to a consecutive project phase with lower funding support, we need to secure around CHF 1M in the coming months to drive further growth for Remotecoders. Achieving this financial goal is critical to expanding our impact and reaching sustainability similar to Powercoders.?

What’s one piece of advice you’d share with an impact investor or philanthropist who’s interested in supporting refugees and migrants in Switzerland??

A: Focus on initiatives that offer sustainable solutions, not just short-term relief. Programs that empower refugees with in-demand skills, provide pathways to meaningful work, and actively engage the business community have the potential for long-term impact.?

Supporting projects like Powercoders and Remotecoders means investing in human potential and economic integration, benefiting both refugees and the wider society. To truly address the issue, it’s also crucial to follow the migration path, tackle the root causes of migration early on, and increase the absorption capacity along migration routes, as we do with Remotecoders.?

OK, a bit of a fun question that would be every founder’s dream, if you had unlimited resources, what is the first thing you’d do today to solve the issues around inequalities in the workforce??

A: With unlimited resources, our first action would be to establish a global network of coding academies and remote work hubs, specifically targeting regions with high refugee populations and underdeveloped tech ecosystems. This approach would enable us to scale up training and job placement efforts rapidly, ensuring broader access to quality education and remote job opportunities.?

We would also invest in awareness campaigns to change the narrative around hiring refugees and promote policies that incentivize inclusive hiring practices. Additionally, a significant portion of resources would go toward convincing companies in highly developed countries to not just outsource for cheap labor, but to combine outsourcing with efforts to reduce global inequalities, promoting fair opportunities and shared prosperity. Lastly, we would fund research to develop new models for measuring the economic contributions of refugees in the workforce, attracting more investment to the cause.?

And, to wrap it up, what’s one book you recommend to anyone interested in learning more about the current refugee crisis??

Christian: The Crossing by Samar Yazbek – This powerful book inspired me during the early days of Powercoders. Yazbek, a Syrian writer and journalist, risked her life to bear witness to the suffering in her war-torn homeland. Through vivid accounts, she captures Syria's descent from peaceful demonstrations to the rise of ISIS, sharing stories of soldiers, children, and everyday people trying to survive. The book’s raw and luminous prose deepened my understanding of the refugee crisis, reinforcing the urgency of creating opportunities for refugees through education and work.?

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Thanks, Bettina and Christian, for talking with me! Your journey is incredibly inspiring, and I look forward to staying in touch as you continue to grow your impact.?

Interested in learning more about #UBSGlobalVisionaries or meeting incredible social entrepreneurs like the team at Powercoders? Get in touch today >> https://www.ubs.com/global/en/sustainability-impact/social-impact-and-philanthropy/contact-us.html.??

Our UBS Global Visionaries program gets right to the heart of what we do at UBS. It’s about connecting people – with ideas, with likeminded people, with the tools to turn visions into real solutions. And our world is in need of real solutions. Ones that will make businesses more resilient. Ones that will make economies more successful, inclusive and sustainable.?