The Inclusive Community Forum (ICF), Nova School of Business and Economics' (Nova SBE) initiative dedicated to fostering a more inclusive community, has launched a new edition of Peer2Peer, a program designed to prepare university students and young people with disabilities for more inclusive participation in the workforce. 

Built around collaboration between university students and people with disabilities, the program combines shared experiences, skills development, and direct engagement with employers. Through this approach, Peer2Peer creates meaningful connections between individuals from different backgrounds, reduces barriers to employment, and promotes a culture of inclusion. 

Following its expansion to Northern Portugal in 2025, the program has strengthened its presence in the region, completing nine editions and engaging 175 participants to date, including 92 candidates with disabilities and 83 university students. Over the course of several weeks, participants develop professional, social, and interpersonal skills while challenging misconceptions about disability and building meaningful relationships based on collaboration and mutual understanding. 

One of the program's highlights is its dedicated employment session, which connects participants with companies experienced in inclusive hiring and professionals with disabilities, providing direct exposure to real-life career journeys and successful workplace integration. 

'We are looking for people who are motivated to work and whose skills match the requirements of the position,' says Alexandra, Talent Acquisition Manager at one of the partner companies. Through this session, employers have the opportunity to get to know participants better and identify candidates whose profiles align with their hiring needs. 'It's a collaborative effort, and together we've built a successful track record of hiring employees with disabilities,' she adds. 

Mariana, an employee at another partner organization, also highlights the life-changing impact of an inclusive opportunity: 'I know my disability will not define me — it will make me stronger. When I joined the company, I was assigned a buddy who supported me throughout my onboarding process, and I never felt alone. Today, I have been with the company for more than ten years.'

Peer2Peer's expansion into Northern Portugal reflects the program's steady growth since its launch in 2018

The initiative is delivered through a partnership between Nova SBE – Fundação Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto, under the Partnerships for Social Innovation funding program of Portugal Social Innovation 2030, with the support of the social investors Fundação Amélia de Mello and Associação São Bartolomeu dos Alemães. 

With a new edition now underway, the Nova SBE Inclusive Community Forum reaffirms its commitment to bringing together higher education institutions, employers, and people with disabilities, contributing to a more inclusive labor market and creating opportunities based on talent and equal opportunity.