Samsung Electronics celebrates its 54th anniversary this month. Over half a century our company has grown in both size and scope. We started our first operations in Europe in 1982 and today, our business areas include mobile, home appliances, networks and more. An achievement in the service of innovation, but also cooperation and progress.

As Samsung grows, so does the local team we work with. In Europe we have more than 44 offices and facilities, with more than 11,000 employees across the continent. And with Samsung’s size and scale, we’re proud to be able to have a positive impact on a diverse workforce. Working to improve society and seeing the positive impact we have on these communities is our greatest accomplishment to date.

To drive positive change, our greatest goal is to help the next generation realize their full potential. Today’s young generation is very capable and willing to lead positive social change. We believe that by supporting you in this endeavor today, we pave the way to a better future.

That’s why we created programs to educate and prepare young people, giving them the tools and opportunities to build a better future for all. The programs being rolled out in Europe are a true inspiration and, while there are many incredible stories to share, we wanted to highlight a few initiatives that have already had a huge impact on thousands of lives.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

Solve for Tomorrow (Aula del Futuro, in Spain) encourages young people to project the future and solve some of the biggest challenges in their region using science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This is a competition where the best ideas get financing and advice from the business world to develop the project. Since its founding in 2010, Solve for Tomorrow has spread to 55 countries worldwide, with a significant presence in 20 European countries. The program has been recognized by various educational awards and festivals thanks to its innovative and highly effective approach.

Key project themes that will change the future include education, sustainability, health and wellbeing, and equality, diversity and inclusion. Participants benefit from multiple stages of training where they learn to define problems, refine ideas, bring concepts to life, and present projects. Throughout the process, Samsung employees advised them to ensure they were in the best position to bring their creations into the real world.

In Hungary, the latest edition of the program gave rise to various projects, such as recycling packaging and supporting educational needs. Poland focuses on reducing differences between generations, through apps and magazines that bring new technologies closer to an aging population. The UK, which has a record number of applicants, is focusing on inclusion. Meanwhile, in Austria, projects highlight the importance of unity and understanding, with prizes for apps that encourage interfaith harmony.

In other countries, mental health is a major issue. In Italy, the program culminated in a podcast platform that allows young people to share their stories and support each other. In Switzerland, the idea of ​​“well-being classrooms” for mental rest in schools, as well as applications for emotional self-knowledge, stands out. Likewise, the Baltic countries program is looking to address student wellbeing issues, with initiatives to reinvent school environments in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Samsung Innovation Campus

While Solve for Tomorrow focuses on STEM education, Samsung Innovation Campus primarily emphasizes ICT. It offers training for young people looking for work in the world of technology, in continuous evolution. This program trains participants in basic skills such as AI, IoT, Big Data, Coding and Programming, as well as soft skills such as problem solving, communication and teamwork.

This program also aims to provide access to education and career opportunities for unemployed and disadvantaged young people, so that they can develop their talents and skills. In collaboration with universities and other educational institutions, Samsung Innovation Campus offers online and offline courses, workshops, tutorials and other resources to help participants learn and apply ICT technologies. Currently, this initiative has spread to 32 countries around the world, including Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece, and has already had a beneficial impact on a promising 120,000 participants.

In Italy, the initiative has collaborated with more than 20 universities and has trained more than 10,000 students to date. In the latest edition, the topic is Human Tech: technological developments that put humans at the center and digital innovation is used to improve life, not to replace genius or creativity. This training helps students gain the skills they need in the era of AI and IoT.

In Spain, where 23 editions of the Samsung Innovation Campus have been held in three years, Samsung is implementing a parallel program: Samsung DesArrolladoras, the Samsung Innovation Campus program in which women participate for the development of STEM skills. It aims to increase the talent of Spanish women in STEM professions, with the aim of reducing the gender pay gap. Samsung DesArrolladoras was launched in 2018 and has since trained more than 5,000 women, of which around 64% of participants have found employment. The program was honored at the Digital Skills Spain Awards 2020, winning the Digital Skills for Women and Girls category.

Building a better world, community by community

Over the past 54 years, Samsung has witnessed not only incredible growth in technology, but also in the communities in which we operate. As we reflect on our journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering young people around the world to create a brighter future, so that we can improve people’s lives and make a positive impact on the world. Through each initiative, we take a step forward towards our vision: a world where responsible and inclusive technology helps build better, more prosperous societies.