At Orange, we believe that technology is a powerful tool to drive potential and progress. That’s why we promote digital inclusion through numerous initiatives such as our annual Solidarity FabLabs international challenge. Each year, the competition honours the creative talent of young jobseekers. The Orange Foundation has just awarded the winners among the 4 teams competing in the 2020 edition.
Taking part in this year’s theme “Art Makers”, the 13 teams competing in the Solidarity FabLabs Challenge 2020 designed and delivered a creative project from A to Z by using at least one digital tool or machine available in their local FabLab.
On 5 November, the four wining projects were celebrated for the quality of their product in terms of their creative application to the world of fashion, design or the arts:
- Favourite prize: « The mobile photo studio » from the Montreuil FabLab (France) and « Designer lights » from the Mourenx FabLab (France)
- Jury's selection: « Sculpture in hand » from the Ortzadar GarageLab in San Sebastian (Spain)
- Internet votes: « Fashion through recycling »from the Lisungi FabLab (the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Solidarity FabLabs, empowerment through technology
Since 2015, the Orange Foundation has organised this challenge within its Solidarity FabLab network. It’s an opportunity for young jobseekers to demonstrate their creativity while learning team spirit and digital skills.
Today, the Orange Foundation's network of Solidarity FabLabs extends to 129 manufacturing laboratories in 19 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Each is open to anyone free of charge, in particular to young people aged 12 to 25 who are not in a traditional school or professional career. Within the Solidarity FabLab, they experiment with new digital tools and manufacture innovative product, showing the sky’s is the limit in terms of their capabilities and digital skills.
Promoting digital inclusion and job opportunities for young people
The support given by the Orange Foundation to Solidarity FabLabs is a reflection of our commitment to digital inclusion right across our footprint.
Our Orange Digital Centers (ODC) offer free, local support to students, job seekers and young people with or without qualifications to help them achieve their digital projects.
The aim of all of these initiatives is to promote digital entrepreneurship and help young people find high-value jobs. In Tunisia, for example, 16,000 young people have been trained since 2010 and 1,800 have benefited from professional retraining courses.
By 2025, we hope to have opened 32 ODCs across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Our ambition is to empower as many people as possible to define their own business projects and achieve them through digital technology.