Z Zurich Foundation

🌟 Equipping youth with the skills and support they need for the jobs of the future changes lives and opens doors to future opportunities.   For over a decade, the Pléroma Foundation, through its flagship program Empujar, has been supporting young Argentinians aged 18-24 from disadvantaged backgrounds. With poverty rates in Argentina's younger segments skyrocketing to 57%, this mission has never been more critical.    We have just renewed our multi-year commitment to this program and together with Zurich Santander Argentina, we have helped scale the programs and adapt them to both in-person and virtual training.   Alongside Empujar and Zurich Santander Argentina, we will provide senior high school students with essential skills and training to increase their work readiness. We will also support schools to strengthen networks and partnerships with the community. Over the four years of the program, we aim to impact over 27,500 program participants.   Collectively, we can develop solutions to the critical issue of high youth unemployment and influence the public agenda to enhance and support youth employability. Fundación EMPUJAR Zurich Santander Insurance America Photo caption: signature of the renewed commitment with organizations' representatives.

🌟Creating brighter futures for youth, by youth.   What a remarkable day spent with dedicated colleagues from Zurich Santander Insurance America Uruguay, youth from our educational program with Forge Foundation, and inspiring volunteers.    Our Head Gregory Renand and Regional Engagement Manager Leonardo Caamaño had the opportunity to listen, share insights, and work with others on co-creating lasting solutions.   The perspectives from young participants in our educational programs are crucial to shaping initiatives that ensure youth not only have the tools but also the opportunities to find employment and take control of their futures.   We concluded the day with a unique volunteering activity where pedaling bicycles generated energy for a live musical performance.   Thank you to all our colleagues who are with us on this journey to make a difference.

At 5 years old, Dania has already been displaced twice and witnessed far more than any child should. Her story is just one of millions of children in conflict zones. Dania’s story reflects the profound psychological impact of war and its severe toll on children’s mental health and wellbeing. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is crucial to recovery and must be prioritized. As part of our crisis response efforts we are supporting UNICEF in Sudan to provide essential MHPSS support so that children can begin to heal and cope with the trauma they have experienced. https://lnkd.in/dDWKYpqP

The determination and commitment of the private sector to be a key part of the echo system to support communities to thrive is vital, so is the one of the public sector. It is with a great sense of optimism that I am leaving Iguazú where the Z Zurich Foundation is working together with Universal Assistance, Ecologista Verde, Fundación Plan21 and many other local partners in support of local communities and their economic empowerment through the promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism. This project is part of the award winning Transforming The Future program across Latin America, where in Iguazu we have already supported over 2000 member of the local communities in just a year-and-a-half: powerful and energizing. Find out more on this program: https://lnkd.in/dqUMMQhr Anna Casas i Casals Suzannah Richard Leonardo Caamaño Fabián Román Dalmira Ferrer Piran Juan Velasco

💬 “We believe that if we inspire a critical mass of people across Africa to proactively take action on issues they care about, we are on the way to solving global problems.” - Precious Ebere   This belief inspired Precious, a Z Zurich Foundation One Young World Scholar to create DO., a civic startup inspiring people to take action in addressing major social issues like climate change, hunger and access to education      With a grant from the Z Zurich Foundation, Do Take Action was able to empower and mobilize more than 1,800 grassroots champions who are positively impacting thousands of others across Nigeria.   To encourage and inspire people in communities across Africa, Precious and her team offer guidance and support on how to tailor action to an individual’s skills and passions. Practical ways to make a difference include:    🎓 Education workshops  📣 Advocacy programs  🌳 Environmental activities, like tree planting    Precious’ efforts demonstrate how a call to action can inspire widespread community involvement and tangible progress on tackling social issues. By creating a platform that motivates individuals to become agents of change, Do Take Action has the opportunity to spark a wave of positive action in communities across Africa.      Find out more about Do Take Action here: https://dotakeaction.org/ 

📣 Exciting Collaboration News with Imaflora   We are thrilled to renew our support and continue working together with Imaflora to address a major challenge facing indigenous people and communities in the Brazilian Amazon. There is a severe lack of access to employment opportunities, especially for youth and women.   Gregory Renand, the Head of Z Zurich Foundation recently met with directors of Imaflora in Sao Paolo for a very productive session on the next 18 months of our collaboration which will aim to bring an increased sustainability of this program in the coming decade through the development of partnerships with the public and private sectors.   Imaflora’s mission is to enable indigenous communities to generate income, promote autonomy, and preserve cultural identities through ethical trade and traditional production.   Together we can: 🔹Empower women and youth with sustainable income opportunities 🔹 Foster ethical trade to reduce social inequalities 🔹 Preserve the rich cultural heritage of traditional and indigenous populations   #EnablingSocialEquity

Have you heard about the 5 Cs? Discover how they are key to building climate-resilient communities and see real-life examples of how they are influential to designing innovative solutions. Read our latest article to find out more ⬇️ The Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance

Imagine waking up one day and having to leave your home and everything you know behind? This is the reality for millions of displaced people globally.   While volunteering at a refugee center in Embrach, it was our privilege to meet some incredibly courageous and resilient people - who have escaped from unimaginable situations and found the strength to start over.    With the amazing team from Cuisine sans frontières, some of our team members and Zurich Insurance colleagues, we spent the day with people at the center, cooking, joining in activities and sharing a meal together. Anyone can be affected by crises or disasters and all of us can do something to help.   Learn more about how we are responding to crises https://lnkd.in/eFdt8SgT 📷 Olena Laudieri

Being an ally and learning how to support those in need can be one of the most important things you can do. Many marginalized people say it can literally save their lives to feel seen and valued. Allyship is about using your privilege and power to stand in solidarity with marginalized groups and challenge the systemic barriers they face. While Pride Month may be coming to an end, being an ally is a commitment we should uphold all year long. Together with Head In The Game US and Beyond Sport we support positive mental health for all adolescents recognizing the crisis in youth mental wellbeing, especially among BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and girls. The initiative includes grants, youth coach training, a multimedia awareness campaign, and a learning community to foster collaboration and improve support for teen mental health. Take action today and don't miss this thought-provoking article from Head in the Game that delves deeper into crucial steps you can take to provide support where it’s most needed https://lnkd.in/dAy62YMj

How can social equity programs turn job seekers into job creators?    Our latest article explores what it takes to equip young people with the tools, resources and eco-systems of support that can help to secure brighter futures.   Together with JA Worldwide and Junior Achievement Africa, we reached over 17,000 young people who created 454 social projects in just one year!   Read more to find out ⬇️