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

Sedera Ranaivoarinosy

Communications Manager

Selma Rassoul

Program Manager

Sophie Gholami

Community Animator & Social Media Manager

Karla Tijero

Program Manager

Shawgi Ahmed

Director

Jeannet Mopendza

Admin and Finance Manager

Catherine Raad

Designer & Producer

Michele Caleffi

Co-founder & Head of Design

Ismail Alkhateeb

Operations Manager

Charlotte Hochman

Co-founder & Head of Innovation

Jocelyn Maskrey

Program Manager

Yazen Waked

Co-founder & Talent Expert

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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PLACE
PLACE5 days ago
🌍✨ Meet the Faces of the Migration Impact Network (MIN)
Get to know some of the voices of MIN, where migrant change makers are seen as the leaders they are. From breaking stereotypes to empowering communities, this is a network where action meets vision. 💪💬

In their own words, MIN is more than a platform: it’s a community that redefines common prejudices about migration by showcasing its cultural, social and economic benefits. It’s a space where lived experiences meet solutions and where new and existing migrants can connect, inspire and build together.

MIN isn’t just about solving problems, it’s about creating solutions and driving change. Let’s build a world where every migrant’s story and talent is the change the world needs. 🌎✊
Get involved and be part of the impact.

#CommunityOfChange #InclusionMatters #MigrationMatters #DiversityInAction #TogetherForChange #BreakingBarriers #MigrantsLead #GlobalSolidarity #MigrationImpact #systemicchange
PLACE
PLACE
PLACE2 weeks ago
🍲 Food is a universal language that connects us all! 🌍✨

In Episode 2 of Interculturality 101 by PLACE, we explore how cooking together bridges cultures. Each dish carries stories, traditions, and values that promote understanding and global citizenship.
As a multicultural team at PLACE, we’ve experienced this firsthand: bringing snacks and dishes from our own countries and cultures to the table. Each bite sparked conversations, stories, and a deeper connection.
Start your journey by cooking a dish from another culture and discovering its story.
👨‍🍳 What dish will you try next to explore another culture? Let us know in the
comments!

#PLACENetwork #Interculturality #CulturalExchange #GlobalCitizenship #FoodUnitesUs #PLACECommunity
PLACE
PLACE
PLACE3 weeks ago
Fast Forward 2024 has Kicked-Off! 🎉

Last week we welcomed 35 incredible women with migration backgrounds who are ready to accelerate their careers in Ile-de-France and become Leaders in the #FutureOfWork. Over the next 6 months, this group will attend workshops to boost their #entrepreneurial and #intrapreneurial skills, receive career coaching, and connect with wider networks to find meaningful employment.

We are looking forward to this journey, and wish them the best of luck! ⏩

#FastForward #PLACENetwork #NewcomerTalent #DEI #MigrantInclusion #UnlockYourPotential
PLACE
PLACE
PLACE3 weeks ago
🎞️ #PLACE Recommends: 'Les Réfugiés de Saint-Jouin' (2017), a film by Ariane Doublet.

🌍✨ Follow the inspiring journey of refugees rebuilding their lives in a small French
village, where kindness and community transform challenges into hope.
From language barriers to heartfelt bonds, watch how resilience and compassion bring people together. 🕊️💙

Catch the full story on ARTE! https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/067841-000-A/les-refugies-de-saint-jouin/

#PLACENetwork #FilmRec #RefugeesWelcome #HopeNotHate
PLACE
PLACE4 weeks ago
🎉 Experience Art Beyond Borders! 🌍Join the Festival Visions d’Exil by Atelier des Artistes en Exil, a celebration of creativity, resilience, and migration! 🎨🎶 From Oct 18 to Dec 1, 2024, in cities across France, immerse yourself in vibrant performances, films, exhibits, and lively discussions led by artists with unique stories of exile and cultural fusion. Don’t miss this chance to witness art that challenges and inspires! 🌟For the lineup and details, check out the link the story!
#art #artgallery #festival #artist #artfestival #artfrance
PLACE
PLACE4 weeks ago
🎨✨ Kani Kamil, a visual artist, and Aftab Darvishi, a music composer—both catalysts from our Emerging Leaders Artivism Alliance—share their transformative experiences at the Somewhere Places Festival in Tunisia. For Kani, the festival filled her with courage, strength, and passion, while for Aftab, it reinforced the power of collaboration and artistic expression. Together, they were inspired by the collective effort and shared vision of the community, highlighting how partnership drives meaningful change. 🙌💪

Somewhere Places Festival, a project incubated by CAN, was held in Tunisia this October under the theme "ARTS at the CORE, PLACES at the CENTER". Renowned organizations and networks collaborated to shape change processes and explore the question: How could we re-emerge powerful pathways for collective impact, action, and investment in changemaking?

#SomewherePlaces #EmergingLeaders #Artivism #CollectiveChange #FestivalInspiration #KaniKamil #AftabDarvishi #VisualArt #MusicComposer
PLACE

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