Deliveroo offers scholarships to riders, more than 100 thousand euros allocated for about 80 projects

There's Alessio, 32, who wants to fulfill his dream of getting a degree, and Nicolò, 24, who is building that dream without wanting to burden his parents too much.

And then Filippo, 33, who is studying to become a doctor. But also Francesco, 38, who wants to turn his passion for cooking into his profession and become a chef. Michele, 44, who wants to become a pizza chef and Fabio, 36, who wants to go back to school to make himself available to others as a health worker. And then, those who are thinking about supporting their family members, like José, 33, who wants to help his brother with learning disabilities finally return to school and complete his studies.

The protagonists of these stories are some riders who collaborate with Deliveroo. Their stories, as well as those of many other colleagues, will finally have the opportunity to have a happy ending thanks to the support made available by the leading online food delivery platform. How? Thanks to the voluntary training program that Deliveroo has dedicated to the riders themselves, with the aim of supporting them in training activities and study paths capable of raising their level of knowledge and skills to make the most of every personal and professional opportunity.

The initiative is part of the activities implemented by the platform to support the territories and communities in which it operates, financed - globally - by the Community Fund launched in 2021 by the company. In Italy, among other activities, Deliveroo has decided to support the voluntary training of riders. To do so, it has set up a fund intended to finance the training path of riders, or of a family member, with a contribution of 500 to 2.000 euros to cover the training expenses incurred, up to a maximum of 75% of the same.

Specifically, riders had the opportunity – on a voluntary basis – to submit applications to access training courses aimed at:

– complete secondary school studies;
– complete university studies;
– help families in need cover the costs of educating a family member;
– undertake other training and professional paths.

Deliveroo examined the requests received, with the aim of supporting as many as possible. At the end of the selection, more than 100.000 euros were allocated for approximately 80 “scholarships”. Approximately 40% of the accepted requests concerned expenses to complete a university course, just over 20% requests to cover the costs of a family member’s education, approximately 35% of the requests concerned training and professional courses, less than 5% the completion of secondary school studies.

“I started collaborating with Deliveroo in 2020, when in the midst of the pandemic I chose to get back into the game with a new role” says Alessio M., 32, from Cagliari. “The diagnosis of dyslexia I had as a child unfortunately meant that I abandoned my studies early, starting a career in the restaurant industry. Only this year, thanks to the flexibility of working with Deliveroo, I was able to complete high school with a Diploma. This contribution is fundamental for me because it will allow me to achieve my dream, which is to obtain a degree”.

"I am passionate about pizza, this course will allow me to acquire new knowledge and skills to be able to work in this sector. I want to open my own business in this sector" said Michele M., 44, from Alessandria, who chose to take a course to become a pizza chef.