The EU Passworld pilot project — involving Ireland, Italy and Belgium — offers refugee students the opportunity to continue their studies in a third country in a safe, legal and sustainable way. In our country, the project is run by Fedasil, Caritas International, KU Leuven and is supported by UNHCR.

Faced with violence and insecurity in their country of origin, many people are forced to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, where very limited access to higher education and jobs matching their skills leave few sustainable prospects for their future.

Thanks to the EU Passworld "university corridor" funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) of the European Union, these refugee students have the opportunity to develop their potential.

This project is part of the UNHCR "15by30" strategy which aims to reach 15% of refugees enrolled in higher education by 2030.

Selection according to needs and skills

Three refugee students from Egypt were selected for this program in Belgium, in 2023. After replying to a call for applications from their first host country, their file was examined by the KU Leuven. The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) was charged with carrying out an initial analysis of the needs for international protection of the students selected. Fedasil, Caritas and the KU Leuven then chose the three successful students after a selection interview focusing on their competences, motivation and social skills.

Reception in Belgium

After completing the Belgian Cultural Orientation training (BELCO) organised online by Fedasil, the refugee students were warmly greeted upon their arrival in Belgium by a group of volunteers set up by Caritas to guide them through their studies. "The group helps me in many areas", explains Stephen, a refugee student from South Sudan and selected for the EU Passworld programme. "It's like having a family here", he continues.

EU Passworld is a project that runs until the end of 2024. However, other universities have already shown their interest in these legal and sustainable migration pathways by committing to welcoming more refugee students as of this year.

UNamur and UCLouvain have joined the adventure, each opening 3 places for the start of the 2024 academic year to welcome Congolese refugees from Burundi and Uganda respectively.

Visit Facebook and LinkedIn to find out more about Stephanf, one of the refugee students who followed the programme!

Source : Caritas International, Photo : © Céline Jalil - Caritas