HSBC is aiming to help girls around the world develop technology skills through a new global USD550,000 partnership.

The bank is supporting the expansion of Technovation Girls, a programme that inspires girls and young women aged 10-18 to design and code apps that will make a difference in their communities.

Teams from more than 50 countries and territories took part in the initiative in 2019, creating apps designed to help tackle climate change, preserve minority languages and halt the spread of invasive plant species.

Tara Chklovski, the CEO and founder of non-profit organisation Technovation, which runs the programme, said: “In addition to teaching girls to code, the HSBC global partnership allows us to continue to give more girls the opportunity to practise real-world problem solving and gain experience in product development, innovation, decision-making and collaboration.”

Participants in Technovation Girls learn by doing, following an online curriculum to apply their technical skills to practical situations. Teams receive support from volunteer mentors who help them refine their ideas and code effectively. In 2020, HSBC is encouraging its employees – and particularly its digital and technical experts – to volunteer as mentors.

The most successful teams will travel to the US in August and present their ideas to a panel of international judges for the chance to win an educational grant.

Young women are still much less likely than men to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in many parts of the world. In the UK, for example, less than 30 per cent of new STEM graduates are women. Yet these skills are invaluable as technology plays an ever more central role in many people’s daily lives.

Dora Li, Global Head of Future Skills, HSBC, said: “We are excited to partner with Technovation to help girls and women develop the vital employability and technology skills needed to be leaders in an increasingly tech-centric future.”

The bank’s support for Technovation Girls is part of its broader commitment to help people develop the skills they need to thrive in the modern world. Between 2018 and the end of 2020, it aims to help 1 million people in the communities it serves develop skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Technovation Girls 2020 is now open for registration and welcomes applications from girls aged 10-18 anywhere in the world. Find out more on the Technovation website (opens in new window)