Global outlook
Across the world, millions of people are not able to participate fully in the modern economy—limiting their ability to invest in their families and communities.
Globally, 44% of worker core skills are expected to change in the next five years, while skills-based hiring is on the rise.
Nearly 600 million small and medium businesses create 70% of new jobs globally and represent 40% of GDP in emerging economies.
1.4 billion people globally do not have bank accounts—including 50% of the working poor.
Economic Empowerment impact pillars
We focus on supporting solutions across three key areas aligned to our strategy:
Building skills to career pathways
Transforming job-seekers into career-builders through technical and professional skills training and access to opportunities.
Empowering entrepreneurs
Connecting start-ups and Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) with the mentors, networks, investors, and capital essential for launching and growing a thriving business.
Accelerating financial inclusion
Making essential, life-changing financial services—like bank accounts, loans, savings products, and capacity building—more accessible to all.
Innovation leads to measurable impact
We measure the areas that matter most to ensure our key goals of independence and economic security for individuals and communities are met—including job creation and retention; salary stability and sufficiency; businesses launched and sustained; and access to financial products and services.
Our grantee, Solar Sister, is helping 10,000+ entrepreneurs revolutionize solar power for 4.3 million people in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nearly 1 million people globally now have access to life-changing financial services because of our grantees—including Opportunity International's work with banking agents in India and Village Savings and Loans in sub-Saharan Africa.
Graduates of our grantee Generation's skills-based training programs experience an average 3-4x increase in income.
All funding recipients
Learn about the nonprofits that Cisco is supporting as part of our Economic Empowerment sector.
- Agora Partnerships
- Astia
- Bridges to Prosperity
- Center on Rural Innovation
- Centro Community Partners
- Defy Ventures
- Entrepreneurship for All
- FINCA
- Generation
- International Rescue Committee
- Laboratoria
- Living Goods
- NESsT
- New Energy Nexus
- Opportunity International
- Solar Sister
- Trickle Up
- Upwardly Global
New paths to prosperity
Our social impact partners help people participate meaningfully in the modern economy.
Tech expert volunteers multiply impact for grantees
Empowering Cisco employees to support Cisco grant recipients with expertise around AI, security, and more.
Transforming underserved communities with entrepreneurship
Cisco's non-profit partners are fostering environments where new ideas and businesses can thrive.
Empowering families, transforming economies
Our partners are driving access to the skills and resources that parents and their families need for long-term economic security.
