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November 2025 marked the completion of the second THRIVE program cycle, with over 75 learners graduating. Reflecting on the last nine months, Marvi describes the experience as a turning point. “My heart is filled with gratitude and eyes with tears of joy,” she says. “Thank you to the THRIVE team for giving us hope for new beginnings, restoring our faith in ourselves, and helping us rediscover our hidden capabilities.”
Designed for women with refugee and migration backgrounds from across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, THRIVE is an upskilling program helping learners connect with employers and build the tech skills that shape today’s job market. This year, the program offered two tailored learning pathways, Data Analytics and Applied AI. These pathways combined technical training, hands-on projects, and a supportive peer community, which learners consistently described as the heart of the program.
In October, more than 35 learners gathered in Berlin for an in-person celebration, with many meeting in person for the first time after months of supporting one another online. Those who could not travel joined the online ceremony in November, with certificates mailed across Europe.
Throughout the program, learners worked with real datasets to build their portfolios. Using global food production data from 1990 to 2023, provided by FactSet and the Applied AI Institute, they learned how to transform complex information into actionable insights that support real-world decision-making.
On the day of the in-person graduation ceremony, 12 learners showcased their final projects to an expert panel and received feedback to prepare for professional settings. Three learners were then selected to present their projects on stage in front of Kiron’s partners.
The ceremony included inspiring words from keynote speaker Lea Scholdan, founder of Women in Climate Tech, as well as messages from the Kiron team and program partners. Certificates were awarded to all learners, and the evening concluded with networking over food and music, where the learners got to connect with their peers and THRIVE team members who had encouraged them throughout the year.
“The energy, positivity, and connection made the day unforgettable!” says Nur. “I’m deeply grateful for the learning journey, the encouragement, and the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.”
“Words cannot describe my gratitude towards the whole experience from day one in the program until the wonderful graduation day,” shares Iman. “Even though it was challenging for me to complete the program, the THRIVE team supported me to drive me forward. I can’t believe I made it, graduated, and was invited to the ceremony where I met all those amazing people. It was an unforgettable day.”
As our learners move into their next chapter, many are already putting their new skills to use. By early next year, at least 40 learners will be in internships or full-time roles, while another 35 are actively job hunting.
“THRIVE was an inspiring journey and a reminder that no matter how hard it gets, we can make it step by step,” says Lima, looking forward to what lies ahead.
“Wishing everyone continued success, new adventures, and the confidence to keep moving forward!” shares Vira.
Thank you to our partners Deutsche Postcode Lotterie, FactSet Charitable Foundation, One Foundation, BNP Paribas Stiftung, Pfizer, Capgemini, and DataCamp, for making this program possible. Feedback from this year’s graduates is already helping us shape the next round of THRIVE, and we are excited to welcome the Banyan Software Foundation as a new partner starting in 2026!
Organizations interested in partnering with Kiron can contact us at info@kiron.ngo and learn more about THRIVE here.
