Overview

On 7th June 2024, the first edition of Bytes4Future – Junior FullStack Developer concluded at Studio Eight in Marvila. This event, promoted by the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal and funded by the European Union, aims to socioeconomically integrate young people from the Marvila parish by providing training in personal, social, multimedia/design, English, and programming skills.

After a 10-week bootcamp, the 24 participants in the programme presented their digital solutions during a 24-hour Hackathon. The winning application, "Kit'n Care," was developed for managing resources at a cat shelter. In addition to the 24 young people from the programme, an audience of around 30 people was present. Companies such as PwC, Timestamp, Critical Techworks, and VML participated in the event, acting as judges and taking the opportunity to meet and potentially recruit the young developers.

Outcomes

• Participants acquired technical and social skills that enhance their employability, while also gaining the chance to enter the job market, thus achieving socio-economic integrationtion.

• Stimulated the participants' creativity and critical thinking.

• Gained confidence and motivation as their skills are recognised and valued by industry professionals, contributing to their personal and professional empowerment.