Let's take a moment to remember that refugees are not just statistics or headlines. They are fellow human beings who have been forced to flee their homes due to unimaginable hardships, conflicts or persecution. They leave behind everything they know and love, seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives.

2023 UNHCR THEME: HOPE AWAY FROM HOME

A world where refugees are always included.

Including refugees in the communities where they have found safety after fleeing conflict and persecution is the most effective way to support them in restarting their lives and enable them to contribute to the countries hosting them.

This sits firmly in the foundation of our Camp to CampUs model. Below, we are sharing a few of the programs we are running which aim to bridge the gaps between communities, while also unlocking the potential of the people who have been forced to flee.

It's crucial to understand that they do not choose to leave their homes lightly. They embark on dangerous journeys, often risking their lives, because they have no other choice. The recent, deadliest, shipwreck in Greece is a prime example of the need to come together and create orderly and safe pathways for people forced to flee. They flee in search of hope, peace, and a better future for themselves and their families. 

Current programs in Greece

• A recently launched Leadership and Integration Scholarship on Samos, provides community leaders with equitable support, serving as a financial and community-building bridge for our Community Leaders' integration within Greece.
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• Through a Food for Thought program, we’re supporting students from the Community Volunteer group with nutricious meals. Nourishing their brains, empowering their futures, while also improving our facilities within Ergon Education Centre

Consider supporting these programs

Those forced to flee are not defined by their displacement. They are individuals with unique skills, talents, and ambitions. Despite the adversities they have faced, they possess an unwavering determination to succeed and contribute positively to society.

Current programs in Lebanon

• We recently started supporting the Lebanese community by offering education to 130+ girls in the age of 15 to 18 years old, who have been deprived of education, as a result of the current financial crisis amongst others. We are doing this in collaboration with local actors,  the University of Lebanon and  local NGO’s with the approval from the Minister of Education and local authorities.
• We have supported a Syrian refugee community, just south of Beirut, with donating and installating sustainable energy through solar power. These provide enough electricity to power floodlights, making it safer to walk when it’s dark, power open wifi, connecting the community with loved ones and fostering online education. 

Consider supporting these programs

When we open our hearts and embrace the spirit of compassion, we can create welcoming communities that allow refugees to thrive. By supporting them in rebuilding their lives, we not only empower them but also benefit from their diverse perspectives and experiences.

Current programs in Syria

• We have facilitated the funding and build of the Hospitainer for the local organisation IDA, in close collaboration with local community, authorities and international partnerships. This modular hospital has the capability to support the Syrian community who has been living in deprived conditions due to the war and the earthquakes that happened earlier this year.
• We are currently organizing and raising funds for the implementation of Camp to CampUs programs in the nearby area, to provide sustainable, dignified and healing living conditions.  

Let us remember that people who have been forced to flee have so much to offer—through their expertise, entrepreneurship, creativity, and cultural richness. They can enrich the fabric of our societies. By embracing their presence, we strengthen the bonds that unite us as a global community.

Current programs in the Netherlands

• We rolled out multiple Camp to CampUs programs in Reception Centre Budel, in collaboration with COA, after a three-month pilot program. Building bridges between communities and amplifying positive change has been at the forefront of our work and we have seen significant progress on multiple levels. It’s serving as one of our prime examples of how our approach can accellerate positive change.
• Unaccompanied Minors are among the most vulnerable people who are fleeing. We are currently running multiple homes for minors in different locations in The Netherlands and we expect to increase in the months to come. 

Consider supporting these programs

On this World Refugee Day, let's stand together in solidarity and show compassion towards our fellow human beings. Let's advocate for policies that protect their rights, amplify their voices, and create opportunities rather than barriers for their successful integration.