Overview

The Visa Everywhere Pioneers 2026 programme is open for entrepreneurial women with refugee backgrounds in Europe to scale their businesses, access funding, and gain global recognition.

Eligibility

The programme is open to female entrepreneurs with refugee backgrounds living in Europe who meet the following criteria:

Women aged 18 years or older
Reside in any of the 27 EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Iceland, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, or the United Kingdom
Have a product or service already in the market
Have been actively trading for at least 12 months
Be registered as a sole trader or business entity
Own at least 51% of the business
Have a physical or digital presence (e.g., store, website, or platform)

Applicants must also meet at least one of the following refugee or displacement criteria:

Granted legal refugee status
Asylum seeker with full work rights
Under international protection or on a humanitarian visa
From a country listed in the Fragile States Index and have arrived in their destination country within the past five years

Benefits

Selected winners will gain:

€2,000 or £2,000 cash grant (depending on location)
Over €60,000 in microgrants will be distributed across all winners
Access to tailored business mentorship from industry experts
Guidance on scaling operations, strategy, and sustainability
Access to language courses to support integration and business growth
Recognition as a Visa Everywhere Pioneer 2026
Opportunity to showcase their business and impact on a global platform

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply through the Official Application Platform. Applicants should ensure they meet all eligibility requirements and prepare strong applications that highlight their business impact, innovation, and growth potential.