Corporate volunteering that supports employee development and creates positive social impact
Overview
Ways to participate through Engage.
Two ways your employees can get involved:
- Access Fast Track Corporate Volunteering
- Speed-Coaching Workshops
Engage connects corporate employees with highly qualified refugees and migrants on their journey into the Swiss labour market.
Our corporate volunteering formats strengthen leadership, coaching and communication skills while making a tangible contribution to integration and equal opportunities in Switzerland. By bringing together people with different life and professional experiences, ENGAGE creates new perspectives, mutual understanding and lasting connections.
Capacity manages and supports the entire corporate volunteering process — from preparation and matching to ongoing support and quality assurance.
VALUE FOR COMPANIES AND EMPLOYEES
For Companies
- Supporting ESG and DEI goals
- Strengthening employer attractiveness
- Fostering employee retention
- Access to new perspectives and networks
- Access to a pool of international talent
For Employees
- Developing coaching and leadership skills
- Hands-on experience beyond the usual work environment
- Strengthening communication and networking skills
- Meaningful engagement
Curdin Duschletta
UBS, Head Social Impact & Philanthropy Switzerland
Mutual trust and support, openness and appreciation. The unique combination of determination and dedication, kindness and compassion is what makes Capacity so special. It makes us happy to see that the work Capacity does is being recognised more and more by other companies and institutions, and that people with refugee and migration backgrounds here in Switzerland can continue to count on Capacity.
ACCESS FAST TRACK CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING
As part of a minimum one-year partnership, your employees support highly qualified refugees and migrants throughout a programme cycle of around three months. Capacity manages a tailored matching process, selecting volunteers from the volunteer pool based on how well their experience and skills match the needs of individual participants. We support everyone involved throughout the programme.
Possible roles for your employees
Talent Coach
Supports one talent in a 1:1 coaching relationship.
Commitment:
- 5 coaching sessions of 90 minutes each
- Participation in 2 networking events
Network Ally
Network Allies support multiple talents by sharing their expertise, experience and networks. Conversations focus on specific questions and challenges brought by the talents.
Commitment:
- 3–5 individual conversations of 40 minutes each
- Available to different talents to book
- Participation in 2 networking events
Support & Structure for Volunteers
All volunteers receive a thorough introduction and ongoing support throughout their engagement.
This includes:
- Introduction and orientation before the programme starts
- A dedicated contact person at Capacity
- Ongoing support throughout the programme
- Quality assurance and feedback
Online Learning & Exchange
We also offer short online learning sessions for volunteers. These sessions provide practical input to strengthen coaching and mentoring skills and create opportunities to exchange experiences with employees from other partner companies.
Example topics:
- Coaching Talent in Transition
- Mentoring and Empowerment
John Mather
Talent Coach 2024
I really enjoyed taking part in the programme. It’s a wonderful opportunity to give something back to society by supporting people during a challenging time and helping them find a job. Capacity creates a real sense of community and brings us volunteers together with the shared goal of supporting refugees and migrants as they build a new home in Switzerland.
SPEED COACHING WORKSHOPS
The ideal introduction to corporate volunteering
Our Speed Coaching Workshops offer employees an easy and engaging way to get involved. Around 15 employees from one partner company meet with 15 alumni of our Access Fast Track programme for an interactive two- to four-hour workshop.
What the workshop includes
- A brief introduction to Capacity and the Access Fast Track programme
- Insights into the experiences of refugees and migrants and the Swiss labour market
- Several short 1:1 coaching conversations with programme alumni
- Time for reflection and exchange
Capacity manages the preparation, facilitation and follow-up, ensuring a meaningful experience for everyone involved.
With Engage, companies invest in their employees while creating meaningful impact for a more inclusive Swiss society.
THE TALENTS
Highly qualified professionals with international experience
Our programme participants hold a university degree, have several years of professional experience and speak German or English. They are actively looking to enter or re-enter the Swiss labour market and bring a wealth of professional, international and personal experience.
Explore example profiles.
Contact for companies
For questions about Capacity and our programmes, I’m happy to help.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Caterina Meier-Pfister Partnerships
caterina@capacity.swiss