Refugees@Work

Refugees@work is an initiative by the State of Geneva, supported by private partners, aimed at promoting the employability of individuals from the asylum sector among employers in the canton.

Launched in 2018 by three students from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) – Katerina Polyakova, Loukas Garanis, and Amaelle Grosjean – the initiative was developed in partnership with the Horizon académique program at UNIGE, the Bureau for Integration and Citizenship (BIC), and the private partners of the Alliance for YOUth.

To give the initiative new momentum, the partners decided to create a permanent coordinator position, responsible for raising awareness among public and private employers about the hiring opportunities for people from the asylum sector. This position, held since September 2024 by Hugo Houbart, is administratively anchored within the UNIGE Delegation for Integration.

The initiative is overseen by a committee made up of representatives from the Alliance for YOUth, the BIC, the Hospice général, the Cantonal Employment Office, the Office for Career Guidance and Vocational and Continuing Education, and UNIGE.

What does Refugees@work do?

Refugees@work takes concrete action to support the professional inclusion of people from the asylum sector through several key approaches:

  • Awareness-raising and meetings with public and private employers in the canton

  • Coordination between Geneva institutions involved in the professional integration of individuals from the asylum sector

  • Participation in and organization of events focused on employment and inclusion

  • Updating and managing the official website to share best practices and useful information

  • Dialogue and experience-sharing with other relevant actors (other cantons, the non-profit sector, etc.)