Microsoft invests in local programs that benefit people of all ages. In Spain, our collaborations are organized by our focus areas of Skills for Jobs, Enabling Sustainability, and Empowering Communities.
The following program list contains a sample of the investments Microsoft makes on an annual basis.
Skills for jobs
Microsoft believes everyone should have access to the skills, technology, and opportunity they need to succeed in a changing economy.
Fundación Generation Spain trains and accompanies people in accessing quality professional careers that they would otherwise not be able to achieve.
- Tech Skills for Employment program seeks to increase the ratio of women in Microsoft-related professions in Madrid and to create an impact in specific areas of Madrid (including Algete, Meco, and San Sebastián de los Reyes) by helping young unemployed or underemployed people transition to tech positions. Between November 2022 and June 2023, two pilot programs enable about 50 learners to be trained and placed into thriving careers in tech via Azure Cloud Development and Azure Systems Administration Generation programs.
Fundación Tomillo is a state-subsidized centre for Basic and Intermediate Vocational Training belonging to the educational system of the Community of Madrid. It offers training in Hospitality, Administration, Electricity and Electronics, and Computer Science through a comprehensive pedagogical model, where socio-educational intervention includes meaningful learning experiences through art, sport, nature, technology, and service learning. Additionally, it has an extensive employment training program to improve the employability of young people and offers training in the hospitality industry to minors under the care of the Community of Madrid.
- The Datacenter Academy program supports the development of ICT skills in the region and provides further training opportunities for community members who are seeking opportunities to enter ICT careers such as those at Microsoft datacenters. As a new Datacenter Academy Partner, Tomillo Foundation aims to reduce the existing digital and skills gap between young people at social exclusion risk and the hiring companies in their talent acquisition processes. To that end, it provides a two-year training program fully aligned with labor market demands. Hands-on practice, project-based learning, socioemotional skills, counseling, and mentoring are crucial throughout the two years in order to guarantee the young people success.
- The Vocational Training Centre of Tomillo Foundation is part of the European network of Second Chance Schools (E2C) and offers secondary vocational education to students in a vulnerable social environment. The Microsoft Community Empowerment Fund will support a training program for students and teachers to obtain certifications in COMPTIA and licenses from Server. The program is integrated as a classroom laboratory where students practice in real work environment with personal guidance by business professionals and specialized coaches.
Minecraft Education In collaboration with the Community of Madrid, the local governments of Algete, Meco, and San Sebastián de los Reyes, along with non-profit organizations Letcraft and PantallasAmigas, Microsoft teams up to launch a digital literacy project for 5th and 6th grade students. Utilizing Minecraft Education, the program aims to cultivate digital competencies essential for future careers, focusing on cybersecurity, coding, and responsible tech use, catering to students, educators, and families. Starting in 2024, this initiative features 50 workshops across schools in the three regions, culminating in an event where participants display their learnings about how to best leverage technology in the classroom. Representatives from Madrid’s regional government will participate in the event.
Enabling sustainability
Climate change requires swift, collective action and technological innovation. We are committed to meeting our own goals while helping communities to do the same.
One Tree Planted is dedicated to making it easier for both individuals and businesses to give back to the environment, create a healthier climate, protect biodiversity, and help reforestation efforts.
- Jarama Riverbed Revitalization aims to revitalize a 5-hectare area along the river that flows through the outskirts of San Sebastian de los Reyes, help improve water quality/carbon sequestration, create a new green space for city residents, and improve biodiversity. Fundacion FDI, in collaboration with the municipality of San Sebastian de los Reyes, and with support from Microsoft and One Tree Planted, will plant 2,000 trees along the Jarama riverbed. Once trees are firmly established, an environmental education center will be created on site to engage students from local schools. Fundacion FDI focuses on engaging people with disabilities in its work. It will seek to create an inclusive environment where people with disabilities can participate in planting activities, site preparation, and maintenance both as volunteers and as paid employees.
Empowering communities
Microsoft is committed to strengthening communities and empowering the organizations that help them thrive. Whether affected by a recent emergency or decades of challenges, we use data, technology, and strategic investments to restore and support them for future generations.
ChangeX International helps to create thriving communities everywhere by democratizing change, ensuring proven innovations and finance are accessible to everyone, everywhere. ChangeX is a community engagement platform that, with Microsoft’s support, has funded more than 500 groups in communities across Europe and the United States since 2015.
- ChangeX Madrid Community Challenge focuses on financing, resources, and supporting social development projects in areas such as education, digital skills, environmental and social sustainability in the municipalities of Algete, Meco and San Sebastián de los Reyes. The initiative aims to offer the communities near Microsoft datacenters, the opportunity to create more sustainable, livable and inclusive environments.