Accenture was a founding member of VSO’s Business Partnerships (VBP) Scheme, established in 1999 to meet the growing demand for business and management professionals in developing countries.
In 2006, Accenture became our Secure Livelihoods Goal Champion and through their financial and strategic support, VSO is developing a new approach to enterprise development that will deliver a brighter future for some of the world’s most disadvantaged people.
Our relationship with Accenture is built on a mutual desire to combine the distinct capabilities of each organisation to enhance the performance of both.
The VSO Accenture Partnership
As a component of the partnership, VSO has placed over 115 Accenture employees from around the world with partner organisations in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
These volunteers have worked in a variety of roles, sharing their business skills and building capacity in a number of developing communities.
In turn, Accenture supports our organisation by offering staff that are eligible, the opportunity to volunteer with VSO and provides financial support for our international programme work.
Benefits of the Partnership
The benefits of VSO’s partnership with Accenture have been substantial - both to the developing communities who gain access to crucial business skills and to Accenture and its global staff.
Here’s what some of Accenture’s internal sponsors said about our VBP Scheme:
“Volunteering is open to everyone. It gives people the opportunity to make a direct contribution and to broaden their experiences.”
Isabel Naidoo. UK Corporate Citizenship Lead
"It is particularly gratifying to see how the VSO participants return invigorated from their assignments… and hopefully inspire more colleagues to get involved
Andrea Naumann, VSO HR Coordinator, ASG
Here’s what Accenture employees have to say:
"The total experience; the culture, the people, the fellow volunteers, of working and living in a developing nation cannot be duplicated - participating in the VSO program was one of the most fascinating periods of my life."
Mark Bower, Accenture US
"Doing VSO is one of the most enriching and memorable experiences I will ever have. I had the opportunity to really stretch myself professionally, culturally and personally and just got so much in return not least of all strong, lasting friendships half way across the world. In some ways, from now on, I will always be a little bit Rwandan."
Alefiya Rajkotwala, Accenture UK
