Our Global Communities

Working together to address the world's greatest challenges can bring positive change to people's lives and the planet.

Creating a more inclusive future

Cisco supports those who are using technology to solve the world's greatest challenges, such as hunger, economic inequality, and lack of access to education.

Positively impacting one billion lives

We reached our ten-year goal to positively impact one billion people by 2025.

Impact areas

Cisco's social impact grants are made in four focus areas and are key to meeting our goal to positively impact one billion people.

Cisco Crisis Response

Supporting programs and solutions that are focused on disaster relief, food insecurity, housing, and clean water

Climate impact and regeneration

Helping to reverse the impact of climate change while working toward a sustainable and regenerative future for all

Learning and digital skills development

Building digital skills, expanding access to quality education, and promoting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)

Economic empowerment

Investing in technology solutions that help underserved people to gain financial independence

ESG Reporting Hub and 2023 Cisco Purpose Report

Cisco is putting people, technology, and resources toward Powering an Inclusive Future for All, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Visit our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting Hub.

Measurable impact

When transformative technology is put in the hands of passionate people, not many challenges are too big. Cisco’s technology and expertise is empowering global problem solvers that make a positive impact.

20.5M

Students that have participated in Cisco Networking Academy since 1997

US$3.25M

Cash prizes that have been awarded through the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge since 2016

80+

Humanitarian relief incidents to which Cisco Crisis Response has responded since 2003

Personal impact

Joe's story

Joseph Harrison is a Cisco Crisis Response team member with a passion for giving back.

Daquan's story

Daquan Oliver started WeThrive Education to help youth to gain entrepreneurial skills.

Norah's story

Norah Magero's solution has tripled vaccination rates at a rural health center in Kenya.

Katherine's story

Katherine Lucey started Solar Sister to address gender equity and climate change.

How we expand our reach

Cisco Networking Academy

This global IT and cybersecurity education program provides resources to help people to participate in the digital economy.

CSR research

We conduct socioeconomic research in order to better inform our priorities and reach goals.

Partners and grants

Investments in scalable technology solutions allow our nonprofit partners to solve some of the world's biggest challenges.

Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge

This annual online competition awards cash prizes to early-stage tech entrepreneurs.

Power an inclusive future for all

We pursue our purpose by closing the digital divide, empowering the future of work, fighting for equality and social justice, and building a regenerative planet.