PLACE accelerates and leverages the innovation newcomers bring to Europe
European societies need more and stronger voices with a recent history of migration to bring their perspectives and make their contributions to key economic sectors
We accelerate talent and match it with opportunities for new talent in 4 sectors. Find out what role you can play!
Business
Upskilling for meaningful employment
in a shifting economy
PLACE creates a pipeline that is win-win for both newcomers and the private sector: newcomers master new skills and opportunities to access meaningful work and companies get matched with the diverse talent they seek.
Entrepreneurship
From a choice by default to a self-defined life project, entrepreneurship can be a way to find a place in a new society.
PLACE offers a pathway to start and test entrepreneurial projects which takes newcomers further on their empowerment journey: successfully integrating a business incubator or starting their own business.
Public
Leadership
We need new voices of influence on the complex challenges our societies are facing. We need newcomer voices in the public sphere.
PLACE runs the first of its kind public leadership incubator, to create capacity and room for new voices on key topics and invent new leadership models. We create the conditions for eye-level interactions for emerging leaders, and provide new talent to established leadership networks for new conversations that need to happen.
Media &
the Arts
Our complex societies need new conversations and forms of dialogue that only new voices can catalyze.
PLACE develops bold proposals with diverse voices who speak for themselves, to challenge mainstream views of migration, leadership and other conversations wanting to be born.
By unlocking this new talent and matching it with organisations looking for new players in the areas of business, entrepreneurship, public leadership, and media & arts, we are shifting the perspective of migration from a burden to a unique asset for the development and growth of Europe.
PLACE champions migrant-led innovation: since 2016, we offer transformative and innovative learning experiences to newcomers and host societies, while also giving newcomers space for self-determination to find their version of power.
We do this through designing and running programs and events, from our flagship pop-up innovation labs in European capitals to 9-month fellowships online, from public events to retreats, hackathons, training of trainers, exhibitions and more. Our formats are migrant-led, apply next-generation learning methodologies and ed-tech, and involve groups from 10 to 100 people. They all share one aim: create the link in practice between migration and innovation in the sectors concerned.
Facilitation services
Knowing how to facilitate a group and lead collaboration online and offline, is a form of power. PLACE trains past learners of its programs to be Facilitators for online and offline learning, experiences and events. All PLACE events are migrant-led, and we also facilitate external events.
Interested in facilitation services?
Become a coach or an expert
PLACE monitors all learning outcomes through external experts, who assess the participants’ learning journey. We also provide a personal coach to all our participants, to help them to reach their goals.
Interested in being a PLACE expert or coach?
%
of PLACE program participants are refugees or asylum seekers
%
of learners have gained innovation skills exceeding industry standards for the future of work
learners in PLACE programs since 2017
%
of learners receive training-of-trainers and train on average 30 more people through PLACE
PLACE is working towards 5 Sustainable Development Goals
The place team
8 nationalities, 4 continents and 14 languages… we come from all walks of life, but here are a few points we have in common:
We care above all about people
We are perfectionists, self-motivated and relentless until we get results
We communicate openly and honestly
We need playfulness and challenges
We breathe through feedback
We put results and the team first
We excel at working across locations and cultures
PARTNER WITH US
PLACE gets its strength and impact from the power of community. Our work is heightened by the collaborative efforts of our partners: forward-thinking actors from different sectors and countries, who push the boundaries so new embodiments of power can arise. Together, we’re changing the narrative of migration and transforming it into a vision of innovation. Join us today: work with us to change the game on a sector-level as a strategic partner.
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With 12 years of experience in executive level operations, brand development, project management, retail and eCommerce marketing, Vashti has built extensive knowledge on how to best communicate across cultures in the workplace. We asked her to dive deeper into the subject, and also give you 💡 3 tips for effective cross-cultural communication! Read on to find out what they are: 👁️🗨️
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Q1) Why is cross-cultural communication so crucial for inclusion in the workplace?
First off, I believe that it fosters an inclusive environment; when we consider individual backgrounds, cultures, languages and work styles, we foster a sense of belonging, inclusion and respect. Secondly, it enhances collaboration and teamwork. When we consider different perspectives, we leave less room for misunderstanding as a result of more open communication and dialogue. Thirdly, it increases creativity and innovation - it is refreshing and inspiring to have access to different points of view.
Q2) When, in your experience, has it been effective?
I find it has been most effective in working with remote and asynchronous teams. Working in this environment is already challenging due to the work being conducted in various time zones but it also means that various work styles are at play. When we approach our work through a cross-cultural lens, it helps us to understand that our differences are not a challenge to be met but an opportunity to learn about the people on our team.
Q3) What are your top 3 tips for effective cross-cultural communication?
I think that my 3 tips are strongly interconnected:
1. Listen more than you speak - the more you actively listen the better you get at it and leave less room for misunderstanding.
2. Do not make assumptions - this is where a lot of us make mistakes - we've been conditioned either through our own upbringing or media to think a certain way and we think certain behaviors apply to everyone or a particular group based on something we may have seen, heard or read but is often a generalization.
3. Ask way more questions than you already are - this one ties in with #1 and #2 - not only will you enjoy a better working relationship but you're likely to learn some interesting facts or ideas from your colleague.
#PLACENetwork #PeopleOfPLACE #MigrantVoices #NewcomerTalent #DEI
In those 40 years, we saw the fall of the Berlin Wall, the liberation of Nelson #Mandela, and the end of the Cold War, then synonymous with the hope of a new era for humanity. However, with increasing crises, we see increasing levels of #migration. Countries that previously opened their doors, are now passing policies like the "Loi Immigration" in France, the #Rwanda Bill in the UK, and the European Pact in the EU. 🇪🇺
Authoritarian practices and ideas have spread across many governments and societies. From north to south and east, #authoritarian policies have eroded freedom of expression, challenged gender equality, and eroded sexual and reproductive rights.
What can you do about it? #Vote in the upcoming EU Elections! 🗳️
#PLACENetwork #EUElections #EUisU #DemocraticPopulation #AmnestyInternational #HumanRights
What better way to change the narrative on migration than showcasing the strength and resilience of refugees in this year's most awaited sporting event? ⛳🥅🏋️♀️🚴♂️ ⛳🥅🏋️♀️🚴♂️
The Refugee Olympic Team is made up of 36 athletes from 11 countries, and are competing in 12 different sports categories. This is the third time the team has been present at the Olympic Games, representing the millions of forcibly displaced people around the world. According to the UNHCR, the number of forcibly displaced people globally was around 114 million as of September 2023.
“We welcome you all with open arms. You are an asset to the Olympic community and to our societies. By participating in the Olympic Games, you will demonstrate the human qualities of resilience and excellence. You will thus send a message of hope to the more than 100 million uprooted people around the world. At the same time, you will raise awareness among billions of people around the world about the scale of the refugee crisis. This is why I encourage everyone, everywhere, to join us in cheering on you, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team,” declared IOC President Thomas Bach.
And we will certainly be cheering them on, best of luck to all 36 athletes! 🌏🌎🌍🤝
#RefugeeOlympicTeam #PLACENetwork #RefugeeVoices #ShiftTheNarrative #Paris2024 #Olympics
Yagoub is Executive Director of Mosaicorefugees and Vice President of ECRE. Ahead of the EU Elections, we asked him about his role in making migrant voices and concerns heard. Take a read to learn more 👁️🗨️
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"#Mosaicorefugees, the first refugee-led organisation in Italy and the EU, became implementing partner for the UNHCR project in Turin north of Italy, hosted by the Municipality of Turin. This project gives huge innovative approaches in social inclusion for refugees and asylum seekers. For example, multifunctional centers where fundamental services for the integration of people entitled to international protection can be concentrated. They pursue the “One-Stop-Shop” approach, with the provision of services by public and private bodies all under the same roof. This project is connected with another Mosaicorefugees project OASI IN THE STREET, funded by Compagnia SanPaolo Foundation as an outreach project to give assistance to refugees living on the street.
Mosaicorefugees is a member of ECRE’s group on advocacy and EU election campaign, reminding citizens to vote because the more you vote the more you will have democracy. We have to move the middle to our side; the side of justice and European values of solidarity and humanity. I voted for the first time in my life after I got Italian citizenship, and you cannot imagine the emotions for someone like me who came from a dictatorship country. The privilege of voting and electing someone who decides and shapes EU policy for the next five years."
#EUisU #PLACENetwork #EUElections #MigrantVoices #ActiveMigrantParticipation #PeopleOfPLACE
Over the past 8 months, these incredible women have articulated their #career goals, made professional contacts, #boosted their #leadership skills, and so much more. We began the Graduation with a reflection exercise to take stock of the skills and #achievements that have been nurtured and gained since September. Along with the professional #headshot they got to take as we mingled, they can confidently set on the next phase of their career endeavors.
Congratulations ladies, we look forward to continuing working with you in the future! 🥂 🎉
#PLACENetwork #FastForward #Business&Entrepreneurship #NewcomerTalent #ProfessionalIntegration #Graduation
Over the past 8 months, these incredible women have articulated their #career goals, made professional contacts, #boosted their #leadership skills, and so much more. We began the Graduation with a reflection exercise to take stock of the skills and #achievements that have been nurtured and gained since September. Along with the professional #headshot they got to take as we mingled, they can confidently set on the next phase of their career endeavors.
Congratulations ladies, we look forward to continuing working with you in the future! 🥂 🎉
#PLACENetwork #FastForward #Business&Entrepreneurship #NewcomerTalent #ProfessionalIntegration #Graduation