In a significant move aimed at fostering education and career opportunities for underserved youth, JA Europe, the leading NGO preparing young people for the global economy and King, a leading interactive entertainment company for the mobile world, have announced a ground-breaking partnership. The new partnership will aim to empower 380 students aged 18 and above to explore and pursue STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education and careers in the tech and gaming industry.
Under this collaboration, JA Europe and King aim to provide students with more than 800 immersive learning experiences, enabling them to practically apply STEAM concepts and gain insights into the dynamic world of technology and gaming. Through hands-on activities and exposure to real-world scenarios, students will not only develop essential skills but also explore potential career pathways within these rapidly evolving industries.
Moreover, the partnership will see the active involvement of 130 dedicated King volunteers, who will serve as mentors and role models for the students. Through their guidance and support, these volunteers will play a crucial role in nurturing talent, building confidence, and fostering a sense of community among the youth.
One of the main activities kicking off the partnership is a Hackathon, organised across the four implementing countries (Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK) on the occasion of Earth Day.
Speaking about the collaboration, the CEO of JA Europe Salvatore Nigro expressed his enthusiasm, stating:
We are thrilled to join forces with King to empower underserved students and provide them with opportunities to explore the exciting world of STEAM education and tech careers. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire and equip the next generation of innovators and leaders, ensuring that no talent goes untapped.
Likewise, Vikki Leach, Senior Director, DEI & Sustainability at King shared her excitement about the partnership, saying:
Here at King, we're all about the joy of gaming and its potential to make a real difference! Teaming up with JA Europe, we're excited to use our passion for gaming to inspire young people. Together, we’re opening doors to new possibilities and aiming to light up a brighter, more fun future for the next generation.
As the world continues to embrace technological advancements, initiatives like the JA Europe and King partnership serve as catalysts for social and economic progress, empowering individuals to thrive in the digital era. With a shared commitment to education, innovation, and social responsibility, JA Europe and King are poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of students across Europe.
About JA Europe
JA Europe is the largest and leading organisation in Europe dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed. For over 100 years, JA Worldwide has delivered hands-on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial health. In the last school year, the JA Europe network provided 6 million learning experiences for youth in online, in person and blended formats.
About King
With a mission of Making the World Playful, King is a leading interactive entertainment company with more than 20 years of history of delivering some of the world’s most iconic games in the mobile gaming industry, including the world-famous Candy Crush franchise, as well as other mobile game hits such as Farm Heroes Saga. Candy Crush has been the top-grossing franchise in U.S. app stores for six years, and King games are played by more than 200 million monthly active users. King, a part of Activision Blizzard which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), has game studios in Stockholm, Malmö, London, Barcelona and Berlin and offices in Dublin, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Malta. More information can be found at King.com or by following us on LinkedIn, @lifeatking on Instagram, or @king_games on X.
