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10 Finalists with ideas to help refugees and migrants selected in European Social Innovation Competition

28 September 2016

(From ec.europa.eu)

Josephine Goube, COO of Techfugees and member of the 2016 jury commented: "The 10 finalists give a good insight into what some European citizens have been helping with on the ground instead of waiting on government to take action. I hope they not only will inspire others to put their own ideas into action but also get a well needed support from governments to scale and be sustainable solutions".

The 10 finalists for the 2016 European Social Innovation Competition have been named from a shortlist of 30 and a total number of over 1,000 applicants from 36 countries. They will compete for three €50,000 prizes which will be awarded in Brussels on 27 October.

Name of Project

Capital Digital 

Education and Skills Development

Education and Skills Development

Financial Democratisation for Refugees & Migrants 

Employment and Entrepreneurship

Ichhelfe.jetzt 

Appropriate Housing and Health Services

New Neighbours Arnsberg

Cohesion and Cultural Diversity

Project Virtuous Triangle

Education and Skills Development

Safe housing for LGBT refugees in the UK

Safety and human rights

Solidarity Salt

Employment and Entrepreneurship

The Bike Project

Education and Skills Development

The Machine To Be Another

Cohesion and Cultural Diversity 

This year’s theme ‘Integrated Futures’ sought ideas to address the reception and integration of refugees and migrants in Europe, enabling them to contribute to the social, economic, cultural and political life of their host countries.

The 30 semi-finalists attended a mentoring academy in Berlin in July where they worked with experts in social innovation to refine their business plan before pitching their idea to a jury made up of successful social innovators with particular expertise in working with refugees and migrants. The jury has now critically evaluated the strength of each organisation’s business plan and has selected the 10 strongest entries, also giving attention to projects started by or developed in conjunction with refugees and migrants themselves.

Free tickets to the awards ceremony are available via http://bit.ly/2016Ceremony.

Josephine Goube, COO of Techfugees and member of the 2016 jury commented: "The 10 finalists give a good insight into what some European citizens have been helping with on the ground instead of waiting on government to take action. I hope they not only will inspire others to put their own ideas into action but also get a well needed support from governments to scale and be sustainable solutions".