Nowadays, the need to support students who require additional financial resources while balancing academic commitments is increasingly apparent, particularly in Lisbon, where the cost of living is constantly growing. Recognizing the pressing need to find solutions, an innovative initiative was conceived to assist students facing financial constraints and time limitations, aiming to provide meaningful opportunities.

We developed a prototyped digital platform aimed at connecting jobseekers with part-time work opportunities in Lisbon's largest shopping center, Colombo Shopping Center. This initiative aims to provide a practical and effective solution to reduce student's financial struggles by offering them access to flexible jobs and professional development opportunities.

The Problem

In Lisbon, the challenge of financial instability among students is pronounced, with many struggling with tuition fees and housing expenses. Despite the efforts of governmental and non-governmental organizations, many students still have difficulties finding financial resources. Factors such as lack of experience, limited access to opportunities, and economic fluctuations contribute to the perpetuation of this problem.

The idea

Our project proposes the development of a dynamic online platform called TalentForge tailored to the unique needs of jobseekers and employers at Colombo Shopping Center. This platform acts as a centralized hub where individuals can upload their CVs and receive real-time notifications about part-time job opportunities at the shopping center.

The Company

The Colombo Shopping Center is one of Lisbon's main shopping destinations, known for being the largest shopping center in Portugal, and for its diversity of stores, entertainment venues, and restaurants.

We chose this shopping center because it attracts many visitors, both locals and tourists. By collaborating with Colombo, the project aims to use its current resources and infrastructure to create a positive impact in the community, especially among students.