CATALYSTS

Lisa Cooper

THE PROBLEM

Many young people lack the support they need in making important life choices and as a result, are not completing school and are at risk of becoming outsiders in society. The high school dropout rate is 27% in Norway and 33% in Sweden. These rates are even higher for immigrant youth. Only 65% of young people with minority backgrounds are in education or employment, compared to that of 87,8% of the “Norwegian” youth.  

THE SOLUTION

Catalysts focuses on increasing young people’s knowledge and awareness of their strengths, abilities and interests. Catalysts has a goal of building relationships, increasing the contact between cultural groups and breaking down the barriers that exist for young professionals and youth with a minority background, who are experiencing challenges when attempting to enter the labour market. They also work to reduce school dropouts in this group. Young people are paired with mentors with whom they have regular one-on-one sessions during a 12-month period. The mentoring and coaching programmes are based on concepts such as diversity management and appreciative inquiry. The mentors, in turn, change their mindset about youth with minority backgrounds. 

THE IMPACT

Catalysts ensure that they include a wide range of youth who are at a risk of dropping-out and facing unemployment. In 2018, they reached 960 youth across 5 regions in Norway and created 126 mentor relations.

THE PROBLEM

The recent influx in migration has caused unease and fear amongst long-time residents in communities worldwide. These fears are exploited by right-wing movements and foster a strong anti-migrant sentiment and unwelcome environment, hindering the integration process. Incomplete local integration of newcomers, due to a lack of local, multi-sector planning for demographic change and failure to listen to newcomers for the development of local policies lead to a decline in community cohesion in towns and cities experiencing growth in their immigrant and refugee populations. 

THE SOLUTION

Welcoming International helps local communities adjust to and understand the benefits of demographic change. The project focuses on host community engagement; an approach that reduces anxiety and increases empathy among long-term residents in communities experiencing rapid growth in migrant populations. The project helps communities go beyond the typical “seed-focused” approach, and direct significant attention to engaging the native-born population in those communities where refugees and other migrants settle. 

THE IMPACT

Welcoming International, established in 2009 (as Welcoming America), works in over 160 cities and towns across the United States, supporting non-profits and local governments to transform their communities into inclusive places that allow everyone to thrive. A network of non-profit and local government members – currently in 85 US communities and including the US White House – is provided with intensive support as they develop plans, programmes and policies to transform their communities. After finding significant success in the US, Welcoming International is now scaling their approach to other countries, amongst which New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and the UK.

The Problem

Every year, thousands of people are forced to flee their homes, cities, friends and countries to seek refuge in other countries. After a long and often dangerous journey, these men and women apply for the protection of other states. Unfortunately, even though they had no choice but to leave their homeland, they are rarely welcomed in the countries where they settle. The incoming flight migrants are often perceived as a cost to local taxpayers and as a potential source of social tension or unrest. 

The Solution

SINGA is a community of professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, dancers, singers, students, or in short, a community of human beings. It brings together people who want to get to know and understand each other better and build a better society for themselves.  The project develops a sense of community with migrants and local citizens, and as such helps further integration and change perspectives. The various SINGA programmes across Europe aim to organise and facilitate opportunities to meet others within the SINGA community.  

The Impact

SINGA operates in France, Morocco, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Quebec and recently started in Barcelona. It has connected many people to facilitate change in the perspective of a population that mainly views refugees as a problem. 

Uugot.it

Philipp Etzlinger

The Problem

Language is the key for integration and one of the greatest obstacles for migrants upon arrival in a new country. 82% of Foreign language learners (worldwide) stated that they learn a language through watching television (fyi: Study by Kaplan International; 2012). However, there are no professional solutions to assist users, turning them from passive consumers into active learners.

The Solution

uugot.it enables language learning through watching television, as it adds interactive same language subtitles to each broadcast, at request users translate the words with a simple click.. The solution includes an app-based language course to learn new vocabulary, by which it helps users retain what they have learned and, by offering access to the public discourse of the local society, uugot.it boosts the integration process of migrants. uugot.it enhances the existing content of broadcasting companies and inceases the public value of broadcasters. With uugot.it television becomes an educational resource.

The Impact

uugot.it has negotiated major partnerships with major language learning institutes across Austria and is partnering with NGOs who help with the distribution of the uugot.it TV. The project is currently connecting with schools to become part of their programme and foster inclusion within the education system.

Dahir

Georg and Dagmar Kotzmuth

The Problem

There are two major problems within the real estate industry that make it harder for refugees and other migrants to find housing. A lack of trust between property owners or managers and disadvantaged groups presents a systemic problem, which leads to discrimination and racketeering from landlords towards migrants. Additionally, there is no affordable housing available for disadvantaged groups, who have no access to social housing and end up competing with people in similar difficult situations. The competition between migrants and lower working-class populations lead to increased tension between these groups and many people end up living in inhumane conditions as a result.  

The Solution

The traditional approach to provide affordable housing has reached its limits and often leaves migrants out of the equation. Dahir develops a new market for housing which is based on community and trust. In this model, private-market properties become accessible to formerly underserved communities, bridging the gap between property owners/managers and disadvantaged communities. The tenants are invited to become co-creators of their own living space; through which properties become valued based on both their financial and their relational qualities. With this approach, the project aims to change the mindset and practice of property managers and owners.  

The Impact

The project managed help 16 refugee families (68 individuals) find humane living spaces. This has fostered social integration, as these groups live alongside 164 tenants with other backgrounds and 2 recent migrants have been employed as caretakers and community managers of the property. The project has led to research in this field and been taken on as a strategy in practical education for property management. Dahir is currently working with large stakeholders to implement these strategies more widely. 

More Than One Perspective

Julian Richter, Nina Poxleitner, Lisa-Maria Sommer

The Problem

Many refugees and migrants are highly educated professionals, but unable to carry out their profession upon arrival in Austria. Lacking certain skills and connections to local networks, they are not able to find the right employer.

The Solution

More Than One Perspective supports refugees and migrants that have an academic (or similar) background on their way into the labour market. The project aims to demonstrate that refugees are valuable assets for the host countries, if given the opportunity to be employed in their field of expertise. MTOP also works with the company side and supports executives to leverage on diversity and help to overcome prejudices.

The Impact

Currently, More Than One Perspective works with over 80 companies. 70% of the project’s alumni have been able to find work due to the network.

The Problem

Every year, thousands of people are forced to flee their homes, cities, friends and countries to seek refuge in other countries. After a long and often dangerous journey, these men and women apply for the protection of other states. Unfortunately, even though they had no choice but to leave their homeland, they are rarely welcomed in the countries where they settle. The incoming flight migrants are often perceived as a cost to local taxpayers and as a potential source of social tension or unrest. 

The Solution

SINGA is a community of professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, dancers, singers, students, or in short, a community of human beings. It brings together people who want to get to know and understand each other better and build a better society for themselves.  The project develops a sense of community with migrants and local citizens, and as such helps further integration and change perspectives. The various SINGA programmes across Europe aim to organise and facilitate opportunities to meet others within the SINGA community.  

The Impact

SINGA operates in France, Morocco, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Quebec and recently started in Barcelona. It has connected many people to facilitate change in the perspective of a population that mainly views refugees as a problem. 

Violence Prevention Network

Judy Korn

The Problem

There is an increase of hate crime from right-wing extremists, but these are often left unaddressed. The conflicts are the result of a limited understanding of migrants and their circumstances.  

The Solution

The Violence Prevention Network supports many different projects of counselling, training and outreach across Germany as well as internationally. The project addresses approaches by advice centres, counselling for school projects and training, one-to-one outreach and online outreach for and to possible extremists. The network is leading in bringing together a pan-European network for the prevention of extremism and deradicalization at the European Commission Level.  

The Impact

In 2016, the Violence Prevention Network had 68 staff members, who provided workshops, counselling and training courses to thousands of people. The network advised 123 institutions on topics of extremism – including those motivated by religion – and it has implemented adapted Violence Prevention Models to address conflicts in Northern Ireland. 

The Problem

An estimated 150 million children and youth grow up in harsh conditions without a safe and caretaking environment. They live and work on the streets of big cities, are on the move from conflict or natural disasters or run away from socio-economic problems at home. For these children, the streets become their main learning environment, where they develop essential survival skills and build their identity. Non-formal education and outreach work are crucial to help them grow into positive contributors to society. 

The Solution

Mobile School has developed an integrated outreach methodology to support street educators worldwide in unlocking the potential of these children in the environment where they feel most comfortable, the streets. Mobile School has developed innovative streetproof tools and methodologies to make education available anywhere. Initiated as part of StreetwiZe, the programme valorises talents and survival skills of street-connected children in 29 countries worldwide. Its pioneering outreach strategy shifts children’s attitudes away from assistance and towards empowerment.  

The Impact

StreetwiZe invests 100% of their profit in Mobile School, co-creates the educational materials and relentlessly supports Mobile School by increasing its social impact. There are currently 56 mobile schools in 29 countries, through which the project has facilitated 76,209 contacts with street-connected children in 2018. That same year, the project reached the number of 190 trained street educators and facilitated a total of 163 workshops. These numbers are only expected to increase further. 

The Problem

Belgium currently has the second-largest gap between unemployment of local citizens and non-European migrants. This gap remains in place as a result of discrimination, complicated employment networks that cater to existing Belgian networks, a lack of cultural contexts and institutional frameworks, foreign certifications not being recognised and infrastructural limitations faced by non-EU migrants.  

The Solution

DUO for a JOB is redesigning the traditional structures of mentoring to facilitate support for unemployed migrants in Belgium. The organisation encourages successful Belgian pensioners to become formal coaches for non-European unemployed youth entering the job market. By uniting these two populations, the project unlocks social and cultural capital that can enrich the job market and fosters empathy between local communities and migrants settling in Belgium. This human yet professional approach fosters real empathy between Belgians and migrants and is breaking down prejudice, fear and stereotypes. 

The Impact

Participants have had transformative experiences and the partnerships have resulted in a 74% positive outcome. Over a thousand unemployed youths entered the programme and ended up doing internships, jobs, training and further education. The outcome is twice as successful as those of public employment agencies and is one of the highest in Europe. 

RefuInterim

Farah Laporte

The Problem

Flight migrants face diverse challenges upon arrival in a new country, including learning a new language, finding a place to live and waiting for a positive decision on their refugee status. Additionally, the labour market requires proof of education, a certain level of spoken and written language and other (valid) documents and skills such as a driver’s licence. Such thresholds appear to be great obstacles for those newly arrived in a country.  

The Solution

Refu Interim supports refugees to find a volunteer job, in which they can develop, explore and demonstrate their talents, learn about the different organisations and roles, practice the language and expand their social network. Refu Interim is a social project which aims to enhance social integration and professional self-reliance. The project reaches out to engage people in orientation, after which they are supported in the process of finding work and brought together for different activities. The volunteer work serves as an initial step towards paid opportunities as well as social and cultural integration. 

The Impact

Since 2016, the project has expanded to 4 Belgian cities (Ghent, Ostend, Kortrijk, Sint-Niklaas). The project has supported 1049 refugees to further develop professional and language skills as volunteers within 60 different organisations. 

The Problem

Social inequality immediately affects the education system, as it often struggles to support the most vulnerable students. In Belgium, 11% of young people between 18 and 24 years old drop out of school prematurely.  

The Solution

Bibliothèques Sans Frontières aims to change the guidelines for human rights in education to acknowledge the different cultural and educational dimensions. Digital technology provides the opportunity to learn remotely, through free access to qualitative education from all over the world. The courses offered by Bibliothèques Sans Frontières allow for professional integration and inspire innovation.  

The Impact

Bibliothèques Sans Frontières has mobilsed over 100 international intellectuals – amongst whom 9 Nobel Prize winners – to put together content for the course. The course content is accessible in 21 different languages.

The Problem

Refugees and new migrants are often excluded from the financial structures that allow them to fully integrate into their new community.  

The Solution

ACAF is a cooperative organisation with the goal of fighting financial and social exclusion by creating and supporting self-financing communities. ACAF works with self-sustaining financial groups led by immigrants to promote networking and support their basic financial needs. These communities are small groups in which the partners – normally between 10 and 30 people – can participate through small contributions. ACAF’s proven efficient methodology is Winkomun; a solution that is expanding throughout Spain and to other European countries with low income and migrant population. 

The Impact

Winkomun has expanded to 7 European countries and created a free online platform to allow anyone from around the world to access their methodology and set up a worldwide network of self-funded communities. The methodology is now in use in more than 15 countries in 4 continents, with more than 500 groups benefiting over 9,000 people directly and over 32,000 people indirectly.

The Problem

Every year, thousands of people are forced to flee their homes, cities, friends and countries to seek refuge in other countries. After a long and often dangerous journey, these men and women apply for the protection of other states. Unfortunately, even though they had no choice but to leave their homeland, they are rarely welcomed in the countries where they settle. The incoming flight migrants are often perceived as a cost to local taxpayers and as a potential source of social tension or unrest. 

The Solution

SINGA is a community of professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, dancers, singers, students, or in short, a community of human beings. It brings together people who want to get to know and understand each other better and build a better society for themselves.  The project develops a sense of community with migrants and local citizens, and as such helps further integration and change perspectives. The various SINGA programmes across Europe aim to organise and facilitate opportunities to meet others within the SINGA community.  

The Impact

SINGA operates in France, Morocco, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Quebec and recently started in Barcelona. It has connected many people to facilitate change in the perspective of a population that mainly views refugees as a problem. 

The Problem

Religious differences sometimes result in extreme hate and violence. Due to limited conversations between people of different beliefs, these problems are rarely overcome, and misunderstandings easily develop into great conflicts between groups.   

The Solution

The Interfaith Mediation Centre works in areas of peacebuilding with faith-based groups with the goal to limit small and large-scale conflicts and wars. The centre promotes community dialogue amongst conflicted groups through mediation, negotiation, interfaith media dialogue and training from peace advocates across Nigeria and beyond. With dialogue as their main tool, the Interfaith Mediation Centre promotes trust and tolerance between difference religious communities.  

The Impact

Many conflict-prone communities have been addressed by the centre, which has resulted in peace agreements between conflicting groups. In total, the centre has carried out over 200 successful interventions on the local and global level, and they continue to mediation through ongoing projects in Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya and Chad. 

The Problem

The right to asylum is a humanitarian cornerstone in Germany. Its implementation, however, reflects the way policymakers perceive asylum seekers and refugees: as costly threats to society. Under current law and bureaucracy, unaccompanied underage asylum seekers who are over 16 years of age are prevented from attending school, learning German and acquiring vocational skills. Such policies have led this group to become disempowered and, often, to confirm negative stereotypes by turning to drugs, crime and prostitution. 

The Solution

Schlau-Schule recognises the systematic discrimination that underage asylum seekers experience and provides a chance for young refugees to access education and integrate into German society, whilst changing the negative public perception towards this group. Young refugees have diverse backgrounds but face a common struggle: a lack of German language skills and previous education. Founded in Munich, this solution addresses the shortfalls of the education system by structuring courses in line with those provided at state schools and by providing first-class student services, such as social-psychological aid and legal assistance.  

The Impact

Schlau-Schule's students have an extraordinarily high success rate at the basic state school exam, which enables them to qualify for vocational studies and a professional career. By bringing these success stories to the attention of politicians, state welfare organizations and the wider public, Schlau-Schule is transforming the perception of young asylum seekers in the eyes of relevant stakeholders. Having successfully established Schlau schools in Munich with 145 students, Schlau-Schule is expanding throughout Bavaria, Germany’s largest state. 

Social Bee

Zarah Bruhn

The Problem

500,000 refugees are currently entering the job market in Germany. After fleeing violence and arriving in a new country, refugees face visa and document issues and the fear of deportation, which prevents companies from hiring them for permanent positions. However, people who have undertaken the dangerous migration to Europe have a unique resilience, perspective and an elaborate skillset. These are key assets for any workforce, yet there are few channels to bring them towards engaging work. 

The Solution

Social Bee is Germany’s first integration service provider. It bridges the gap between refugees and companies through a temporary employment model that integrates refugees into the labour market and society. Social Bee absorbs all the bureaucratic hurdles for companies, dealing with the challenging asylum/visa issues that often arise before a person can move seamlessly into work. It gives its employees the opportunity to acquire further qualifications and participate in integration programmes. Social Bee hires refugees and asylum-seekers to work for their organisation as temporary freelancers, after which they are transfered to partner companies. Employees receive socio-pedagogical support, as well as language development and other training. In addition, they receive a regular salary, currently covered by charitable foundations, but to be financed through transfer fees in the near future.  

The Impact

Founded in Munich, Social Bee is a start-up with 50 employees under contract and more than a dozen already successfully placed in permanent positions. Social Bee aims to place 100 employees in permanent positions by the end of this year, reaching a total of 1,000 over the next three years. 

Right to Play

Jonathan Koss

The Problem

Refugee youth, just as their parents, are struggling with integration into the local population. Engagement with locals of the same age can be difficult and the lack of interaction can foster a disinterest in contributing to their new ‘home’ society.  

The Solution

The Right to Play programmes support the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of children. Its interventions focus on three main areas: enhancing qualitative education, transforming health practices and building peaceful communities. Sport and play sit at the core of all related project activities. Right to Play can turn a race into a lesson about mathematics, or a football match into a lesson on communication. The applied learning methodology can further integration and engagement of refugee youth through fun and interactive games intentionally designed to teach critical life lessons.  

The Impact

The organisation engages with children in 20 countries around the world, mainly in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Through over 16,000 trained coaches and teachers, Right to Play supports playful learning of over one million children and youth to create better futures and lasting social change. 

The Problem

Many people who flee conflict find themselves powerless in unsanitary and often dangerous refugee camps. A displaced person spends an average of twelve years in a refugee camp, originally designed to house people on the move for no more than a year. Current temporary living solutions for flight migrants are inadequate and unsustainable; the housing is often used for much longer than anticipated and does not serve the (long-term) needs of those arriving in the camps.  

The Solution

More Than Shelters involves flight migrants in creating sustainable solutions and dignified spaces through ‘integrated humanitarian design’. The project works with flight migrants to transform shelters into places of opportunity, where they can plan the next, positive phase of their lives. This place of survival turns into a place of living, facilitating to individual needs, safety, security and privacy. More Than Shelters gives flight migrants the chance to actively shape their surroundings, through which they become empowered participants instead of passive victims. Projects are set up within three ‘innovation units’, which are the planning office, humanitarian innovation and products. Through these, the project develops camps and arrival centres based on contemporary urban design methods integrating the needs of the different stakeholders, it implements sector-changing innovations and develops technical innovations with refugee communities, NGOs and universities.  

The Impact

More Than Shelters has worked with flight migrants in Jordan, Greece, Nepal and Germany. The project has produced innovations such as the DOMO Shelter System and a solar lamp in partnership with external organisations. Through innovation planning, the project has developed innovation incubators that promote the talents of its one million participants in Jordan, the MENA region, and Europe. 

The Problem

The recent influx in migration has caused unease and fear amongst long-time residents in communities worldwide. These fears are exploited by right-wing movements and foster a strong anti-migrant sentiment and unwelcome environment, hindering the integration process. Incomplete local integration of newcomers, due to a lack of local, multi-sector planning for demographic change and failure to listen to newcomers for the development of local policies lead to a decline in community cohesion in towns and cities experiencing growth in their immigrant and refugee populations. 

The Solution

Welcoming International helps local communities adjust to and understand the benefits of demographic change. The project focuses on host community engagement; an approach that reduces anxiety and increases empathy among long-term residents in communities experiencing rapid growth in migrant populations. The project helps communities go beyond the typical “seed-focused” approach, and direct significant attention to engaging the native-born population in those communities where refugees and other migrants settle. 

The Impact

Welcoming International, established in 2009 (as Welcoming America), works in over 160 cities and towns across the United States, supporting non-profits and local governments to transform their communities into inclusive places that allow everyone to thrive. A network of non-profit and local government members – currently in 85 US communities and including the US White House – is provided with intensive support as they develop plans, programmes and policies to transform their communities. After finding significant success in the US, Welcoming International is now scaling their approach to other countries, amongst which New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and the UK. 

Habibi.Works

Founded by Florian Horsch and Mimi Hapig, Represented by Mimi Hapig

The Problem

While waiting for their interviews and the decisions within their asylum cases, thousands of men and women are stuck in a limbo for years, without access to formal education, to the labor market, to psychological support, to the society. The circumstances people have to encounter when living in a refugee camp create countless challenges on a practical and on an emotional level. Families who have been separated can’t function as a system of support, young adults lose the chance to receive a formal education and thus the perspective of living a free and independent future, people who suffer from mental health issues can’t begin to work on their well-being and the lack of income forces hundreds of people into precarious and non-formal working situations. 

The solution

Within a context in which most doors remain closed for refugees and asylum seekers, Habibi.Works offers paltforms for education, empowerment and encounters. In 11 working areas, from a classic carpentry over a textile atelier up to advanced technology in our MediaLab, people living in the refugee camps of Epirus and members of the local community can build whatever it is that is lacking in their daily life, repair things that are broken, share knowledge, gain new skills, break the label of being helpless and take first, important steps of the integration process.

The Impact

Since the beginning of the project, Habibi.Works has accompanied more than 3000 persons (and thus indirectly improved the situation of up to 9000 people) in the period of their first 18 months in Greece. The impact of the project can be observed on the following five levels: Through offering free materials, tools, know-how and space to build or repair items that are needed in the daily life of the target group, Habibi.Works has massively contributed to the improvement of people’s living conditions. On a second level, Habibi.Works offers access to non-formal and informal education for people who are, for various reasons, excluded from or unable to attend formal education in Greece, allowing them to follow up on topics and fields of their interest in which they gain skills that will facilitate their future entry into the labor market. On a third level, Habibi.Works has a huge impact on people’s mental health and well-being. In Habibi.Works, people can get rid of the label of being a refugee, of being reduced to this one aspect of their biography, and be carpenters, IT epxerts, designers, chefs and many other things again. The feeling of achievement on a daily basis and the opportunity to redefine their own identity is a crucial element of empowerment and well-being. On a fourth level, Habibi.Works is a welcoming platform for people from many different countries, bringing together and creating a community among people from different African, European, Asian countries and Greece. Besides these four levels of impact on the ground, Habibi.Works is raising awareness all across Europe for the challenges people in Greece are confronted with, but also for their resilience and their talent and for the fact that they could be an enrichment for our society if we created structures that allowed them to integrate.

HeterArt

Founded by Anna Vafiadou and Anastasia Karoussi

The problem

There are over 1.000 unaccompanied minors are hosted in shelters in Greece. ‘Gifted underachievers’ aged 16 -18 are unable to perform and develop skills.

There’s a gap in both mainstream education and the integration system regarding alternative practices.

Both local and refugee kids are marginalized and the loss of trust causes fragmentation.

The approaches in place fail to find a common language and ways to bring together these communities in a meaningful way.

The solution

Art, as a social buffer, eliminates shocks and crashes, smooths out the edges and blends paces.

HeterArt re-invents routes of communication, building bridges between people and cultures by using existing affordable resources, flexible and scalable tools, co-designed by youth and based in their common narratives and their need to express without words. 

HeterArt’s educational program awarded at Hack the Camp (Dec.2016):

• Merge science and art perspectives and the transition of the society.

• Suggest innovative methods to help increase soft skills development

• Propose workshops which drive critical thinking, creativity and adaptability

• Identify solutions to ensure equal access and inclusion to quality education

The Impact

Drawing a framework of intercultural communication, HeterArt focuses on strategies used to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders to work on solutions.

• Created Art2Tech, an R&D youth team, 30 case studies and more than 10 workshops Most of the beneficiaries managed to have at least a relevant part time job within three years.

• Launched Lost in Jazz, an audience development project and Piano4all a kin-aesthetic approach of using piano as a communication tool.

• Initiated a Cultural dialogue between Nordic countries and Greece.

• Co-created Small Buddies a CSR-SDGs advocacy game.

Office of Displaced Designers

Founded & Represented by Shareen Elnaschie

Problem

Lesvos has been an important landing point on the European migration route for those escaping war-torn countries and has seen high numbers of new arrivals to the island. The influx of refugees and migrants has put strain on an already struggling economy. There is widespread suspicion surrounding the humanitarian response and their motivations, and multiple levels of resentment. Relations between the two communities are strained, with poor communication and a distinct lack of cultural understanding. There are limited opportunities for employment or connection between communities, and we see that as an opportunity.

Solution

Office of Displaced Designers is a design focused creative integration agency that utilises design to bring diverse people together to share skills, undertake research and co-create a more equitable and inclusive society. Our activities focus on the built environment, protection issues and cultural understanding, which we explore through a variety of design disciplines.

The majority of those we work with are displaced. However, we ensure that our programs are offered equitably to both the displaced and host community. Our studio serves multiple functions for co-working and hosting events and exhibitions. We strive to elevate the work of participants and challenge common perceptions of who a designer or artist may be, and who is a refugee.

Impact

Since establishing in 2016 we have directly engaged more than 1200 individuals through approximately 100 collaborative workshops, trainings and events. Thousands more have enjoyed the works created. Participants are connected to a network of creative professionals and are supported to develop portfolios of work in order to access further education and employment. Improved mental wellbeing and increased confidence are regularly cited as additional benefits.

We have worked with diverse international partners including Danish Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross, metaLAB (at) Harvard, and Oxfam.

Cascina Casottello

Modou Gueye

The Problem

Many neighbourhoods are facing problems of degeneration and abandonment, often leading to disadvantaged groups becoming segregated in a city. Due to this and a lack of education in multiculturalism, there are limited opportunities for the integration of migrants into local societies.  

The Solution

At the start of 2016, the Sungal socio-cultural association and the Fate Artigiane cooperative won a public tender for the restructuring and upgrading of Cascina Casottello. This structure was acquired by the Municipality of Milan in 2013 with the aim of starting a territorial and architectural regeneration process. Through the process of this upgrade, the Sunugal association has managed to redevelop the area surrounding Cascina Casottello. Additionally, different people are brought together in activities organised in the building. The centre provides various services to newcomers and has become a meeting point for migrants of diverse backgrounds.  

The Impact

Currently, around 2,000 people are registered at the centre. Cascina Casottello will continue to regenerate abandoned areas and transform these into neighbourhood centres, with the aim to change living conditions and fight segregation. 

Semìno

Samanta Musarò

The Problem

Current markets in European countries do not offer traditional ingredients for staple foods of migrants. Besides the abandoning of familiar places and people, migrants leave behind a broad range of foods and flavours that they are unlikely to find in their new country of residence.  

The Solution

Semìno introduces ethical and sustainable products to the agricultural market sector. The project invites migrants to engage in farming their own foods, through the cultivation of specific products such as daikon, okra, curcuma, tatsoi and Chinese cabbage. Migrants themselves become employed to grow these foods and to share knowledge about these products with the local population. 

Mama Venture

Mamadou Lamine Ndiaye

The Problem

Many migrants who are business owners often have trouble finding funding for their companies. Additionally, banks have difficulty assessing credits and as a result, they do not offer businesses loans.  

The Solution

MamaVenture focuses on investing in foreign citizens' businesses.  The best ideas are funded through a crowdfunding platform or obtain funding from the founding members of the project. Through workshops, the organisation shapes innovative companies that know how to meet consumer demands. MamaVenture supports foreign citizens’ entrepreneurship through an online platform, which allows operation across Italy.  

The Impact

MamaVenture has received many donations through crowdfunding to support selected businesses. 

The Silent Academy

Luca Iacovone

The Problem

Many migrants that arrive in Italy are skilled in different areas, but do not easily obtain the opportunity to put their skills and talents into practice. The increased possibilities for skill and knowledge exchange frequently remain overseen and unused. 

The Solution

The Silent Academy is dedicated to the exchange of skills and talents between migrants and the local community. Through workshops and training sessions, migrants engage with local citizens to collaborate on a topic of their expertise afterwards presented at public events.  This process encourages migrants to become the main actors, as experts of their own strengths, knowledge and culture in exchange with the local community.  

The Impact

The Silent Academy was involved in the mapping of 300 migrants' skills. Currently, about 30 Italians and migrants are involved in every artisan laboratory that takes place. Participants emerge with a wide range of talents, skills and an increased understanding of migrants’ heritages.

Bee My Job

Mara Alacqua

The Problem

There is a lack of skilled workers in some of the work sectors in Italy and a lack of directly applicable technical skills amongst many migrants. It is difficult for unskilled migrants to find a job in their new host country.  

The Solution

Bee My Job is a social project that promotes professional training and job placement for asylum seekers and refugees through beekeeping and organic farming. The programme fosters social inclusion and active citizenship by spreading environmental awareness across Italy’s diverse population. Bee My Job promotes cooperation between citizens as well as the active participation of refugees in local development. Through educational meetings with schools and citizens, the project draw attention to the necessary care and respect for the natural ecosystem that we are all part of.  

The Impact

In 2018, 42 individuals were trained, and a total of 141 people have been trained and employed since 2015. More people are finding a job in this field and there is an increased knowledge about people’s personal role in the environment. 

Il Grande Colibrì

Wajahat Abbas Kazmi & Pier Cesare Notaro

The Problem

People are being persecuted in their home countries due to their differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and beliefs. Within migrant and other communities in the host country, they often still face similar issues of discrimination. 

The Solution

Il Grande Colibrì supports refugees who have been or are being persecuted because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The volunteer association focusses on struggles of acceptance of homosexuality by people of the Muslim faith. The organisation aims to overcome discrimination and isolation by bringing together a network of volunteers that set up cultural events and provide legal assistance.  

The Impact

The organisation continues to grow and includes people from very different backgrounds, amongst whom heterosexual and LGBTQIA activists, as well as agnostics, atheists, Christians and Muslims, and people from all over the world. With their help, the organisation fights prejudice and discrimination of people a currently not yet normalised gender identity or sexual orientation. 

La Strategia della Lumaca

Massimiliano Giacomello & Matteo Castellani

The Problem

Housing in urban areas is often unaffordable for refugees arriving in European states. Continuous migration to cities from local populations, economic migrants and flight migrants leads to a high demand and limited availability. Real estate agents in these areas are not able to cater to the immediate needs of migrants or use the urgency to find housing to their advantage.  

The Solution

La Strategia della Lumaca builds networks, tools and resources that allow refugees to achieve autonomy in accessing the housing market in their new place of living. The project provides access to sustainable solutions through the involvement of local communities and the optimisation of resources. The empowerment paths help involved migrants to deal with the economic, cultural and relational challenges of navigating the housing market.  

The Impact

La Strategia della Lumanca has supported over 300 migrants to find a house through a network of 50 institutions in and around the city of Milan. Involving local administrations and developing partnerships at various levels will help the organisation to facilitate sustainability of the support network. 

SAM CUTS BARBER SALON

Founder, Segun Akeju

THE PROBLEM

As Poland is a mostly homogenous country many people have a hard time finding make-up, beauty and hair products or services that fit their specific skin color or hair type. Additionally, few hairdressers or barbers are trained in cutting and maintenance of non-European hair types and styles.

Another problem which this initiative deals with in a more informal way is the lack of help for migrants who often work illegally, have trouble legalising their stay, getting work permits and need help with taking care of all the documentation. There are limited resources for migrants to access when they are in such a situation, so they often ask more experienced foreigners for support.

THE SOLUTION

Sam opened his barber shop in the center of Warsaw in 2016 and has been a very successful business since. His clients consist mostly of migrants from countries such as Nigeria (where Sam himself is from), India, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Oman, Iraq and Ukraine, but also Poles. Sam provides a service, which is not easily available in Poland and is known for his great skills and helpful demeanor. His clients often ask him for help with legalising their stay, work and studies as Sam has been through this same experience. He does what he can to create a positive and welcoming environment at his salon and wants to help those who are on the same journey he once was.

Sam would like to expand his barbershop and hire more migrant barbers as well as branch out into selling hair products for non-European hair types which are not easily available in Poland.

THE IMPACT

“Sam Cuts” is located in Śródmieście district, a prime location in the center of Warsaw. Additionally, Sam also provides at home barber services. His salon allows migrant men to easily take care of their appearance by being able to trust someone trained in caring for their hair types. The salon helps close the gap in services catered towards non-European inhabitants of Poland. Such places make migrants feel more welcomed and provide a sense of community. Sam builds a safe space where migrants, mostly men from countries such as Nigeria,  India, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Oman, Iraq and Ukraine, but also Poles can talk together, and feel a sense of community.

CEnTER FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN

Founder, Artem Tuliuk

THE PROBLEM

Autism spectrum disorder has become a very important topic in recent years as more and more people are being diagnosed. However, not all countries offer high-level care, rehabilitation and support. Eastern European countries still struggle with providing well-developed and advanced help in this area, which creates a real problem for those with the disorder. Many families are forced to move to a different country in order to have access to specialised care. However, this poses another issue as the language barrier becomes an obstacle for people seeking help outside of their country of origin.

THE SOLUTION

Artem has experienced this problem himself – together with his family he moved out of Ukraine in order to access better care and support for his son. However, he had the advantage of knowing Polish, which many of his fellow migrants do not have. Having a deep understanding of this topic he realised he could support others with the same need and so has begun a journey to start the center for autistic children that provides services in Russian, Ukrainian and Polish. As the number of migrants coming to Poland seeking help for their children is growing, there is a high demand for a service like this.

THE IMPACT

This initiative is still in the process of being developed. Having such a place would allow parents to easily communicate with counselors and pedagogues, and lead to better results as the children would receive treatment in their native language. The center would also provide employment to migrants, as speaking Russian and Ukrainian would be a requirement to work here.

REUSABLE DIAPERS AND ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTS

Founder, Mariana Lunova

THE PROBLEM

Do you know how many diapers are used on one child in their first year of life? An average of 3600! This product, although necessary for the baby, is detrimental to the planet. As the climate change gets more and more severe, we need to change our habits and perhaps the conveniences in order to prevent even more serious damage. One way to do that is to offer more easily accessible and cheaper ecological alternatives to everyday single-use products.

In addition to the environmental benefits, this initiative helps deal with the problem of unemployment and illegal employment among migrant women, who often struggle to find fair employment and need a supportive community to help empower each other.

THE SOLUTION

Mariana has founded a solution that deals with these problems. She wants to set up a tailor shop which will sew reusable diapers and hand-made toys from natural fabrics. In addition to reusing waste, reusable diapers are also more economical in the long run. Mariana plans on employing migrant women, giving them stable and fair jobs, and creating a supportive and empowered community among them.

THE IMPACT

This initiative is still in the process of being developed. By doing this she wants to promote ecological choices by making these products cheaper and more accessible. Her goal is to show that being climate-conscious does not have to be a big inconvenience.

WEYES – INTERACTIVE APP FOR CREATING GLASS FRAMES

Founders,  Anton Bulakh with the support of Alina Shkliaruk, Eugene Chechkov and Roman Pavliuk

THE PROBLEM

Kids who wear prescription glasses often face bulling, feel uncomfortable and “uncool” when wearing them, which impacts their self-confidence. Because of that they often resent glasses, which in turn worsens their vision even more. That may lead to them not being able to fully and comfortably participate in classes and sports and generally makes them less safe in daily life.

THE SOLUTION

Anton realised that this problem existed when he noticed how many children were crying at the optician’s. He used his experience and expertise in industrial and graphic design, and with the help of Alina, Eugene and Roman designed an app, which allows kids to create their own perfect frames. The app measures the childs face and custom fits the frames to their shape. Additionally, the users may design the frames by setting different parameters to their own liking. Right now, the prototypes are printed using a 3D printer, but eventually Weyes wants to use a 5-axis milling machine to do so.

The app is designed mainly for children and their parents and aims to make the process of choosing glasses a fun, creative and exciting actviity. The hope is that kids will feel more comfortable, confident and proud when wearing the glasses they themselves designed.

THE IMPACT

This initiative is still in the process of being developed.

AZIMA TATAR DELIGHTS BAKERY

Founder, Susanna Izzetdinova

THE PROBLEM

Migrants who don’t know the local language, practice a different religion, or simply come from a different culture face a deal of discrimination, making it difficult to get a job. When you add that to difficult past experiences, a limited support network and having to take care of one’s family, it becomes an incredibly difficult situation. They often miss their home countries, their culture and amily and friends whom they left. By opening up her bakery Susanna wanted to bring a piece of Tatar culture to Poland and create a business which could support her family and families of other migrants by giving them stable jobs.

THE SOLUTION

Susanna opened “Azima Tatar Delights Bakery” to share Tatar culture and cuisine and create a safe workspace for migrants. As a Muslim she has faced discrimination for covering her hair and has heard many stories from her employees and fellow migrants about the prejudice they have to fight. She wants her bakery to be a welcoming space where everyone can feel accepted and understood. Since opening her bakery, it has been very successful and her customers appreciate the new flavors she has brought to Poland. Now, she plans on opening a second bakery, which will give her to opportunity to expand her business and create more jobs. She wants to employ and support single mothers, as she understands from her own experience how hard it is to support your family in a foreign country. Working in her bakery gives women an opportunity to learn Polish by interacting with customers, which will help them out in starting their new life here.

THE IMPACT

Susanna opened her bakery in Gdańsk in July 2019. She first worked with just her daughter and now employs 5 workers (including 2 Poles). Her bakery is very highly praised for its delicious and unusual products. Newspapers have written articles about the bakery and Susanna was featured on TV to talk about her work. Susanna bakery is a welcoming and safe space of working for refugees.

The Problem

Unprecedented growth in migration has caused unease and fear among long-time residents in communities worldwide. These fears have been exploited effectively by right-wing movements, and thus anti-migrant sentiment is spreading rapidly throughout communities. These developments hurt communities and the residents in them, making successful integration much more difficult. Incomplete local integration of newcomers, due to a lack of local, multi-sector planning for demographic change, and failure to listen to newcomers when local policies are developed cause decline in community cohesion in towns and cities experiencing growth in their immigrant and refugee populations. 

The Solution

Welcoming International helps local communities adjust to – and seize as an opportunity – demographic change. They are one of the world’s premiere experts in the area of host community engagement, a proven approach that reduces anxiety and increases empathy among long-term residents in communities experiencing rapid growth in their immigrant/refugee populations. After finding significant success in the US, Welcoming International is now scaling their approach to other countries, helping communities go beyond the typical “seed-focused” approach, and direct significant attention to engaging the native-born population – the soil – in communities where refugees and migrants settle. 

The Impact

Welcoming International, established in 2009 (as Welcoming America), works in over 160 cities and towns across the United States, supporting nonprofits and local governments to transform their communities into inclusive places where everyone thrives. Welcoming America connects a network of nonprofit and local government members (currently in 85 US communities) including the US White House, and provides these members with intensive support as they develop plans, programs, and policies to transform their communities into inclusive places. They also have significant presence in New Zealand and Australia and are scaling to Germany, the UK with plans to soon launch in Spain, Portugal and Sweden. 

The Problem

There are 258 million international migrants globally. In European countries, almost half of non-EU citizens (48.6%) are at risk of social exclusion, resulting in difficulties finding a job and nurturing or participating in local communities as equals due to xenophobia, racism and ill-informed prejudices. Locals, from their side, feel unsafe with the entrance of “different” people in their country. Moreover, the lack of opportunities to integrate, understand and empathize with people from other countries has exasperated tensions between migrants and local communities. 

The Solution

SPEAK promotes the organic emergence of communities where diversity is valued and cultures are shared in a safe space through peer to peer meetings. Through an online platform locals and migrants and refugees meet to share their cultural experiences and develop meaningful bonds, allowing participants to facilitate informal language learning environments and host community events. 

The Impact

Up to date, over 5,700 people have participated in SPEAK events and more than 6,100 people have attended language sharing groups, of which nearly 50% were internationals. This network has created opportunities to newcomers for getting informal recommendations and guidance regarding specific needs and integration challenges. It has also fostered new friendships and meaningful bonds among locals and newcomers, creating a sense of togetherness and belonging; the latest impact assessment report shows that, by the end of 12th week of participation in SPEAK’s learning groups and events, the participants’ sense of belonging in the host community has already increased by 15% and that language is 30% less of a barrier in their integration process. 

The Problem

The recent influx in migration has caused unease and fear amongst long-time residents in communities worldwide. These fears are exploited by right-wing movements and foster a strong anti-migrant sentiment and unwelcome environment, hindering the integration process. Incomplete local integration of newcomers, due to a lack of local, multi-sector planning for demographic change and failure to listen to newcomers for the development of local policies lead to a decline in community cohesion in towns and cities experiencing growth in their immigrant and refugee populations. 

The Solution

Welcoming International helps local communities adjust to and understand the benefits of demographic change. The project focuses on host community engagement; an approach that reduces anxiety and increases empathy among long-term residents in communities experiencing rapid growth in migrant populations. The project helps communities go beyond the typical “seed-focused” approach, and direct significant attention to engaging the native-born population in those communities where refugees and other migrants settle. 

The Impact

Welcoming International, established in 2009 (as Welcoming America), works in over 160 cities and towns across the United States, supporting non-profits and local governments to transform their communities into inclusive places that allow everyone to thrive. A network of non-profit and local government members – currently in 85 US communities and including the US White House – is provided with intensive support as they develop plans, programmes and policies to transform their communities. After finding significant success in the US, Welcoming International is now scaling their approach to other countries, amongst which New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and the UK. 

The Problem

In nearly every country with a large immigrant and refugee community, those who are college educated wind up unemployed or significantly underemployed upon arrival in a new country – doctors drive taxis, CEOs work in kitchens. There are few opportunities to work at the equivalent level and adapt professional skills to a new market. Skills are wasted and the lack of opportunity in the new country of residence makes adjustment, comfort and success more difficult. 

The Solution

With Upwardly Global, Jane Leu is breaking down employment barriers and opening up professional career opportunities for skilled immigrants at leading companies, integrating them into the local workforce. Upwardly Global leverages employer partnerships that benefit from access to this breadth of talents. It provides customized training and support to give these new Europeans equal opportunities to find and secure skill-appropriate opportunities and achieve their full economic potential in Europe. The outcome is global talent for employers, culturally competent service providers for diverse communities, and family-sustaining incomes for those who were previously unemployed or underemployed. 

The Impact

Upwardly Global’s services now reach thousands of underserved immigrants and refugees across the United States, who are increasingly being recognised as a valued community asset at city and state level. The programme is active in five metropolitan areas. 45% of refugees arriving in the USA have college degrees and Upwardly Global has placed 5,000+ from 169 countries into skilled jobs with an average income gain of $45,000. Through strategic partnerships, Upwardly Global is now scaling their model to other countries with large refugee and migrant populations.

The Problem

There are 258 million international migrants globally. Almost half of non-EU citizens (48.6%) living in the EU are at risk of social exclusion, resulting in difficulties of finding employment, housing and participation in local culture and social life. Local citizens are often informed by stereotypes and prejudice, leaving them to feel unsafe upon the encounter of ‘different’ people. There is a lack of opportunities to integrate, understand and empathise with migrants and this has sparked tensions between migrants and local communities. 

The Solution

SPEAK promotes the organic emergence of communities in which diversity is valued and cultures are shared in a safe space through peer-to-peer meetings. Locals, refugees and other migrants meet through an online platform and are invited to share cultural experiences and develop meaningful bonds. The project brings together locals and newcomers with the aim of creating a sense of belonging. It allows participants to facilitate informal language learning environments and host community events that engage beyond local migrant groups. Through this network, newcomers obtain access to informal recommendations as well as guidance with specific needs and integration challenges.  

The Impact

Up to date, over 5,700 people have participated in SPEAK events and more than 6,100 people have attended language sharing groups. Nearly 50% of the participants were internationals. SPEAK’s latest impact assessment reported a 15% increase in the sense of belonging of participants after 12 weeks. The report also noted that language was seen as less of a barrier in the integration process for 30% of those that took part in events and language groups during this time period. 

ComParte

Maria Minas

The Problem

Migrants and local communities lack support for integration, which often leads to segregation and feelings of isolation. Additionally, decision-makers use language that refers to integration as the sole responsibility of migrants. They have a limited understanding of how to foster integration and this stands in the way of successful integration processes.   

The Solution

ComParte is an initiative that invites citizen participation. It develops participatory methodologies with users of different infrastructures – refugees in the integration system and students in the education system – and brings them together with decision-making entities. ComParte invites refugees in Portugal to reflect on their reception and integration in the Portuguese community and to contribute with proposals and ideas to improve it. It brings refugees together with public and private entities that can take decisions on a larger scale. Through its process, involved communities have a real and direct impact on the existing systems in place.    

The Impact

ComParte has impact on three different levels: the individual, the relational and systemic change. On an individual level, the project has helped refugees gain confidence and improve communication skills. The project fostered better collaboration between communities and decision-makers, emphasising the relevance of a horizontal approach.  On a macro-level, the project has gained insight about the situation of refugees and influenced social policies to be more closely aligned with their needs. This has also provided decision-makers with access to innovative solutions of refugees, such as increased support during the transition from the refugee centre to new accommodation.   

The Problem

The media discourse is prominently featuring false information, which is affecting public opinion and connectivities between people in society. Dominant opinions have been endorsed through different media channels, allowing for segregation and disintegration of migrants and local citizens.  

The Solution

Maldita is a media outlet with a focus on fact-checking and data journalism techniques. Maldita provides accurate and reliable information that reassures citizens of thorough research and facts, on which they base their opinions and make informed decisions. Maldita developed innovative formats which focus especially on social media and has developed a community that collaborates on the project. Additionally, Maldita aims to promote media literacy and to build technology that helps citizens become aware of the dangers of false information. 

The Impact

Maldita has over 500,000 followers on social media, through which it creates a strong and committed community which actively participates in reporting misinformation. 

The Problem

Unemployment amongst minority groups is much higher than the national average in Sweden. According to national statistics, the time it takes for newcomers that arrive in Sweden to secure a job is 5 to 7 years. Due to discrimination and the hosting society’s lack of awareness, people with a migration background are being excluded from the labour market. This exclusion creates frustration and segregation, resulting in enormous costs for the society 

The Solution

Mitt Liv works towards an inclusive society and a labour market that values diversity. It does this by connecting Swedish businesses and competent work force with a migration background. Through mentorship programmes, Mitt Liv helps people improve their language skills, increase their knowledge of the labour market and expand their professional networks in Sweden. At the same time, through seminars, training sessions and networking events, companies obtain a greater understanding of strategic challenges and questions around diversity within the organisation.  

The Impact

Every year, Mitt Liv works with approximately 500 people with a migration background. After participating in their mentorship programme, 51% of the participants secure a job that matches their competences within 5 months after finishing the programme (while only 1 out of 20 people achieve the same in the government’s employment agency integration programme).

CATALYSTS

Lisa Cooper

The Problem

Many young people lack the support they need in making important life choices and as a result, are not completing school and are at risk of becoming outsiders in society. The high school dropout rate is 27% in Norway and 33% in Sweden. These rates are even higher for immigrant youth. Only 65% of young people with minority backgrounds are in education or employment, compared to that of 87,8% of the “Norwegian” youth.  

The Solution

Catalysts focuses on increasing young people’s knowledge and awareness of their strengths, abilities and interests. Catalysts has a goal of building relationships, increasing the contact between cultural groups and breaking down the barriers that exist for young professionals and youth with a minority background, who are experiencing challenges when attempting to enter the labour market. They also work to reduce school dropouts in this group. Young people are paired with mentors with whom they have regular one-on-one sessions during a 12-month period. The mentoring and coaching programmes are based on concepts such as diversity management and appreciative inquiry. The mentors, in turn, change their mindset about youth with minority backgrounds. 

The Impact

Catalysts ensure that they include a wide range of youth who are at a risk of dropping-out and facing unemployment. In 2018, they reached 960 youth across 5 regions in Norway and created 126 mentor relations.

STARTUP REFUGEES

Elisa Vepsalainen

The Problem

Refugees are unable to utilise their existing professional skills or educational backgrounds. Newcomers of working age end up wasting 3 to 6 years outside of the labour market and therefore on the outskirts of society, leading to passivity and loss of hope. Nordic countries are quickly losing the economic potential of newcomers, whilst labour shortage is growing in several fields and the lack of workforce is preventing the growth of companies.  

The Solution

Startup Refugees seeks to find out the professional skills and experience of refugees and matches these with relevant local network members to create jobs and new businesses. Startup Refugees was founded in Finland and consists of 500 partners, including companies, government officials, NGOs, universities, congregations, research institutes, communities and individuals, that support newcomers to start businesses and enter the Finnish labour market. 

The Impact

Startup Refugees mapped out over 2,300 refugees’ skillsets and professional goals in 11 Finnish cities. The results enabled them to provide employment and entrepreneurship support without causing difficulties for the staff in the reception centres of the Finnish Employment Agency. With the support of their network of over 500 companies, communities and individuals, they have offered 585 jobs, provided 3,500 opportunities in education and skills development (business workshops, courses, profession specific networking events etc.) and supported 60 newcomers to start their own businesses.

GAME

Morten Bo Andersen & Emily Ronek

The Problem

Disadvantages areas lack opportunities for children to engage in sport and afterschool activities. Such activities can help foster a sense of societal belonging, and its lack in children that grow up in deprived areas decreases their chances of employment. The increased negative effect of segregation in communities and schools, based on people’s socio-economic or ethnic background, contributes to reduced self-efficacy in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.  

The Solution

GAME is a non-profit street sports organisation which creates lasting social change in disadvantaged areas. The organisation educates young volunteers to become leaders and role models in street sports and street culture. These ‘playmakers’ offer free and inclusive street sports activities in their own communities to help bridge differences. The programme brings together different urban sports, dance and urban culture. 

The Impact

GAME works in 9 countries so far and engage 118,000 children in their activities yearly. With a total of over 15,000 beneficiaries and multiple activities, the project has played a prominent role in 30 local neighbourhoods in Denmark.

The Problem

The recent influx in migration has caused unease and fear amongst long-time residents in communities worldwide. These fears are exploited by right-wing movements and foster a strong anti-migrant sentiment and unwelcome environment, hindering the integration process. Incomplete local integration of newcomers, due to a lack of local, multi-sector planning for demographic change and failure to listen to newcomers for the development of local policies lead to a decline in community cohesion in towns and cities experiencing growth in their immigrant and refugee populations. 

The Solution

Welcoming International helps local communities adjust to and understand the benefits of demographic change. The project focuses on host community engagement; an approach that reduces anxiety and increases empathy among long-term residents in communities experiencing rapid growth in migrant populations. The project helps communities go beyond the typical “seed-focused” approach, and direct significant attention to engaging the native-born population in those communities where refugees and other migrants settle. 

The Impact

Welcoming International, established in 2009 (as Welcoming America), works in over 160 cities and towns across the United States, supporting non-profits and local governments to transform their communities into inclusive places that allow everyone to thrive. A network of non-profit and local government members – currently in 85 US communities and including the US White House – is provided with intensive support as they develop plans, programmes and policies to transform their communities. After finding significant success in the US, Welcoming International is now scaling their approach to other countries, amongst which New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and the UK.