Helping people displaced by conflict start a new life

Seeds of PwC Programme

Being displaced from your homeland and having to start again is daunting.

In the past decade, the global refugee crisis has more than doubled in scope. With millions of people fleeing war and conflict, they left behind not only their country, homes, friends and loved ones, but also their careers. As they look to re-establish roots, a job is one of the most impactful ways for refugees to build a new life. That’s why PwC Netherlands established the Seeds of PwC programme which helps refugees and others forcibly displaced make a new start by providing access to employment and the skills and confidence critical to their livelihoods.

Launched in 2017, the programme provides support for young refugees with a residence permit who are either still studying or have recently graduated. In partnership with the Foundation for Refugee Students UAF (University Asylum Fund), participants in the programme are paired with a PwC mentor, who helps guide their integration into the workforce. 

Empowering candidates is central to the Seeds of PwC programme. Once refugees arrive in their new communities, they often face difficulties when seeking jobs, such as overcoming language barriers and other social challenges. The PwC mentors offer a safe environment for growth, guiding candidates with the resources and support they need to not only thrive in their careers but also in their quest for a new beginning. In addition to supplying personal and professional development and real-world work experience, the goal of the programme is to provide refugees with the opportunities that will empower them for better integration into the Dutch society and workforce.

The Results

Since its inception, 63 candidates have participated in the programme. Today, 37 of them are working at PwC Netherlands.

Besides connecting refugees to jobs and a promising future in a brand-new community, the Seeds of PwC programme has made a tremendous impact on the PwC coaches as well, with many reporting a better understanding of the broader scope of the world and a stronger appreciation for their own personal and professional circumstances. The programme has also been identified by the Dutch government as a testing ground in the context of “social return on investment” -- the government’s systematic approach to incorporating social values around deploying refugees into the workforce. 

The many advantages to cultural diversity cannot be fully utilised without the active inclusion of different cultures within a company. Seeds of PwC is a powerful example of the results of PwC’s focus on social inclusion. By collaborating with seasoned organisations and extending their efforts into the communities around them, PwC Netherlands not only gains valuable talent, its people also benefit from new and unique perspectives that enrich their ability to solve complex problems and deliver sustained outcomes.