Our Story
In September 2017, we launched a code school to teach refugees how to become web developers. Our mission was to provide a path out of the camps and towards a dignified, financially independent life.
Since then, we have widened our objectives, and we offer our products and services to a diverse group of vulnerable groups now.
Our Mission
Our mission is to support vulnerable groups, incl. refugees, migrants, unemployed, in getting access to quality tech education that leads to employment and a future-proof career.
Our Vision
We want to help create a world where solidarity prevails and everyone enjoys equal opportunities, by having access to quality education and the labour market.
Our Values
Inclusion
Inclusion
Boldness
Boldness
Commitment
Commitment
Community
Community
Efficiency
Efficiency
Our Progress & Main Milestones
In 2017, there were 62,000 refugees stuck in Greece. Due to the economic crisis, the country was one of the least prepared in Europe to deal with this influx of people. The basic necessities were paid for in large part by government organizations and NGOs. But very little money was invested in sustainable solutions to the problem, like formal education and skills training.
In September 2017, we launched a code school to teach students how to become web developers and started running in-person classes in Omonia, Athens.
We created another course that benefits the refugee and migrant population: Computer Literacy Class. By partnering with other NGOs in Athens, we have reached hundreds of people and given them access to build digital skills.
We also started to improve our Web Development Course and created a network of volunteers and supporters in Greece.
The need for accessing a future-proof career was not limited to Athens; that’s why we launched Social Hackers Foundation to scale our impact in other areas like Crete, Barcelona and Zagreb.
The COVID-19 pandemic disabled us from running our offline classes, but we said: “This might be an opportunity!” We developed an online Front End Web Development curriculum using innovative pedagogical approaches.
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Developed soft skills track that prepares our graduates for the work environment
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Achieved 88% placement rate out of our graduated students!
We enhanced our Full-Stack Web Development course and:
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7 days of support is provided by the instructional team to support our students even more
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Started using Discord for the class environment and started working with the community learning method
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Implemented pair programming and code challenges to our program
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Developed soft skills track that prepares our graduates for the work environment
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Achieved 88% placement rate out of our graduated students!
We created Athena Project, an open learning community that gives access to everyone.
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Developing more career tracks (Blockchain Development, Tech Recruiter)
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Offering Job Guarantee to all graduates
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Have placed over 110 underrepresented talent
- Started leading Athena Network around Athena Project
- Established a new non-profit entity in the Netherlands to expand SHA’s reach and positive impact in Europe.