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Remotecoders: IT talents from the MENA Region


Remotecoders offers a solution to the geographic mismatch between ICT talents in North Africa and ICT jobs in Europe. Local vulnerable youth, women, refugees and migrants in North African countries are recruited, trained and connected to remote ICT work opportunities in Europe and local jobs. With this contribution, SDC is addressing the challenges of job creation, digitalization, migration and protection of vulnerable groups by testing an innovative partnership (Private Sector Engagement).

Country/region Topic Period Budget
North Africa
Employment & economic development
Vocational training
Employment creation
Vocational training
01.01.2022 - 31.01.2025
 CHF  1’285’000
The project in brief
Background Vulnerable groups – mainly local youth, women, refugees and migrants – in North African countries face high levels of unemployment. In Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, unemployment rates of local youth are between 22.2% and 35%. This leads to a brain drain and is a hindrance to the growth of the North African digital economies. Furthermore, migrants and displaced persons have limited access to integration programs and job markets and often are highly vulnerable. Their legal status and working situation is different among the different countries. On the other side, there is a shortage of IT talent across Europe. By 2028, it is estimated that Switzerland will have a lack of 117’000 ICT specialists and by 20205 the EU will have over 1.5 million vacant ICT jobs. All four North African countries have a rather small, but growing IT sector and define the sector as a priority for national growth and job creation.
Objectives Improved livelihoods for vulnerable groups in North Africa.
Target groups

Direct beneficiaries: 406 local vulnerable youth, migrants and refugees.

Indirect beneficiaries: Their families (a total of about 1600 persons), 3 – 5 education partners, 60 in-country companies, 100 European companies, 7 – 10 integration partners.
Medium-term outcomes
  • Vulnerable groups are hired by IT companies, bridging the gap in shortage of IT talents.
  • Less brain drain in North Africa.
Results

Expected results:  

Outcome 1:
  • IT companies in Europe are recruited
  • Beneficiaries pass talent pool test and get prepared
  • Beneficiaries are matched with the IT companies

Outcome 2:

  • Local IT companies are recruited
  • Beneficiaries are placed in a North Africa IT company


Results from previous phases:  

Remotecoders is a spin-off of Powercoders Switzerland. Powercoders Switzerland has run programs in Switzerland with over 200 participants (partially funded by SEM), with a 90% success rate for internship placements and over 60% for subsequent job integration rate. In 2019, Remotecoders was created as a spin-off and has run pilots in Turkey, Italy and Tunisia (small action by the Swiss Embassy).

Main lessons learnt were: 1) Vulnerable groups need special care (eg. ICT workshops for women), collaboration with local organization (medical care, financial support, etc.), 2) Education and integration partners need to have a track record in ICT; importance of local partners, 3) Include business and social skills during training, with a focus on industry integration, 4) Build on job coaches during internships and ongoing support after the internship (Alumni Club).
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Other Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Swiss Private Sector

Implementing partner
Remotecoders

Coordination with other projects and actors

Small action Swiss Embassy of Tunis.

Swiss Embassies in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt.

UNHCR, IOM, local and international NGOs.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’285’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’100’685 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   1’100’685 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   3’285’000
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation OTHER SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
    EDUCATION
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Employment policy and administrative management
    Vocational training
    Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
    Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F10895

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Last update 29.11.2024