--- title: "Seedstars and FDFA champion migrant human rights through entrepreneurship prize" url: https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-and-fdfa-champion-migrant-human-rights-through-entrepreneurship-prize/ --- 1. [HOME](/) 2. [RESOURCES](/content-hub/) 3. [NEWSROOM](/content-hub/newsroom/) 4. SEEDSTARS AND FDFA CHAMPION MIGRANT HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP PRIZE ![Seedstars and FDFA champion migrant human rights through entrepreneurship prize](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Migration_landing_IOE-01.max-1500x500.jpg) MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA • MIGRATION ## Seedstars and FDFA champion migrant human rights through entrepreneurship prize Seedstars Global MAY 10, 2021 **Geneva, Switzerland** \- [**Seedstars**](http://seedstars.com/) **and The Peace and Human Rights Division of the** [**Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs**](https://www.fdfa.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa.html) **(FDFA) have partnered together for the second time to announce** [**The Migration Entrepreneurship Prize 2021**](https://seedsta.rs/3dxPWev) **, a program designed for socially driven startups with a mission to enhance the inclusion of migrants in the Middle East and Africa. Interested applicants can sign up here before the 30th of May 2021:** [here](https://seedsta.rs/3dxPWev) #### WRITTEN BY ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/seedstars-black.max-376x376.png) Seedstars Global [CONTACT US](/contact-us/) [Migration is a global phenomenon](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/mag-migration/) involving the movement of people across our increasingly interconnected world, affecting social, economic, political, and many other facets of our society. While migration brings a lot of benefits to economies, marginalization, discrimination, and lack of opportunities continue to persist in the lives of migrants. > "Supporting the potential of migrant entrepreneurs in areas prone to strong migration movements such as the Middle East and Africa will contribute to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and strengthen the socio-economic rights of migrants. Entrepreneurship by, with and for migrants and refugees creates shared benefits for countries of residence, origin and for the foreign born and local communities alike thereby contributing to social cohesion and ultimately to better protection." > > NINA HÄLG, PROGRAM OFFICER – MULTILATERAL AFFAIRS, SECTION FORCED DISPLACEMENT AND MIGRATION, FDFA, PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS DIVISION In order to empower migrants, the Migration Entrepreneurship Prize will identify and support socially-driven businesses on a mission to enhance economic inclusion of migrants. The program will focus on sourcing entrepreneurs from sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East, which are regions prone to strong migration movements caused by socio-economic factors like high unemployment among others. The eligible startups must tackle the positive benefits of migration and reduce the vulnerability of migrants by improving their livelihoods and contributing to their social and economic rights, thereby reducing the pressure for irregular dangerous migration routes. Additionally, the startups must be seed-stage startups with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and initial user traction operating in Africa or the Middle East. Accepted countries for operation are Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Israel, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, and Tunisia. Any businesses matching these criteria are welcome to apply before the 30th of May 2021. Only 20 startups will be selected to join the Seedstars Investment Readiness Program (15 startups from Africa/MENA and 5 startups from Tunisia), become a part of the Online Seedstars World Competition activities, and to be given access to the Seedstars network of partners, mentors, and investors. **Interested applicants can apply and read more about the Migration Entrepreneurship Prize** [**here**](https://seedsta.rs/3dxPWev) *** ### **ABOUT SEEDSTARS** Seedstars is a Swiss-based private company with a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship. The groups’ activities cover over 90 emerging ecosystems through a variety of initiatives such as the Online Seedstars World Competition, acceleration programs, physical hubs called Seedspace, venture capital investments and company building activities. Seedstars The Documentary is a feature film featuring the company’s vision to give a voice to the game changers of the developing world. "They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds." \- Mexican proverb ### **ABOUT THE FDFA’s PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS DIVISION (PHRD)** The FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) is responsible for the promotion of peace and human rights as set out in the Federal Council’s foreign policy strategy. It focuses on the security of the individual and protecting people against violence, war and acts of arbitrary treatment. The PHRD is part of the State Secretariat. PROUDLY PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ![fdfa](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo_final2-01.max-350x350.png) ARTICLE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA MIGRATION ## More like this [ ![IOE and Seedstars announce the Fourth Migration Challenge](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/wetvp8awzentvo8uwahetvawetn89weauta0b9wpz.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • TECHNOLOGY #### IOE and Seedstars announce the Fourth Migration Challenge The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and Seedstars have launched the fourth edition of The Migration Challenge. Sep. 08, 2023 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/ioe-and-seedstars-announce-fourth-migration-challenge/) [ ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Untitled_design_20.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • TECHNOLOGY #### The Migration Entrepreneurship Prize launch startup applications for second cohort The Migration Entrepreneurship Prize, a program designed for startups with a mission to enhance the inclusion of migrants, opens applications once again. Apr. 25, 2022 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/migration-entrepreneurship-prize-launch-startup-applications-second-cohort/) [ ![The Migration Entrepreneurship Prize: A startup program with the mission to enhance the economic inc](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Untitled_design_10.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • OTHER #### The Migration Entrepreneurship Prize: A startup program with the mission to enhance the economic inclusion of migrants in the Middle East and Africa The Migration Entrepreneurship Prize program is focused on socio-economic rights and reducing the vulnerability of migrants in the Middle East and Africa. Mar. 23, 2022 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/migration-entrepreneurship-prize-startup-program-mission-enhance-economic-inclusion-migrants-middle-east-and-africa/) [ ![Seedstars and FDFA announce MENA and African startup winners of the Migration Entrepreneurship Prize](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/migrationprize.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • OTHER #### Seedstars and FDFA announce MENA and African startup winners of the Migration Entrepreneurship Prize 2021 Seedstars and The Peace and Human Rights Division of the Swiss FDFA announce 20 global startup winners of the Migration Entrepreneurship Prize 2021. Jul. 26, 2021 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-and-fdfa-announce-mena-and-african-startup-winners-migration-entrepreneurship-prize-2021/) [ ![Migration Challenge – tech start-up competition to achieve tangible solutions in migration](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/migration-challenge-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • #### Migration Challenge – tech start-up competition to achieve tangible solutions in migration The IOE, in partnership with Seedstars, a start-up incubator, and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, championed the Migration Challenge competition. Jul. 13, 2021 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/migration-challenge-tech-start-up-competition-to-achieve-tangible-solutions-in-migration/) [ ![Nine Migration Challenge Finalists to showcase their solutions during "It Takes a Community" Campaig](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumbnail-migration-ioe.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • OTHER #### Nine Migration Challenge Finalists to showcase their solutions during "It Takes a Community" Campaign IOE and the Swiss-based incubator Seedstars have announced the nine finalists of the IOE Third Migration Challenge Start-up Competition. Jun. 17, 2021 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/nine-migration-challenge-finalists-showcase-their-solutions-during-it-takes-community-campaign/) [ ![IOE Third Migration Challenge now open for entries](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/ioe-migration-thumb.max-320x550.png) ASIA • OTHER #### IOE Third Migration Challenge now open for entries The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and Seedstars are launching the third edition of The Migration Challenge with an open call to tech startups focused on improving regular migration Apr. 29, 2021 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/ioe-third-migration-challenge-now-open-entries/) [ ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/reducing_migrants_-_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • TECHNOLOGY #### Reducing Migrants Vulnerability in MENA and Africa Nov. 15, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/community/client-success/reducing-migrants-vulnerability-in-mena-and-africa/) [ ![Migration Challenge](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/migrationchallenge.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### The 2020 Migration Challenge Call for Applications is Now Open Seedstars, in partnership with the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the Business Advisory Group on Migration, is to launch an open call for the Migration Challenge, Jul. 13, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/2020-migration-challenge-call-applications-now-open/) [ ![Migration](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/migratiob.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • OTHER #### The Mag: Migration Everyone is a migrant, and most people are not a native of the place where they are born. So, why is the world divided into migrants and “natives”? Mar. 17, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/mag-migration/) [ ![Build Two Startups](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Untitled_design_30.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • TECHNOLOGY #### No Regrets Policy or How to Find Your New Home and Build Two Startups in the Meantime | Nat Robinson Leaf Global is one of the ten winners selected for the Entrepreneur Migration Prize by HSD. Mar. 03, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/no-regrets-policy-or-how-find-your-new-home-and-build-two-startups-meantime-nat-robinson/) [ ![Displaced People](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Untitled_design_37.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • EDUCATION & CONSULTING #### Bringing Displaced People Together With Locals | Berat Kjamili Talking about life as a migrant and as a social entrepreneur, Berat shared his story with us in this exclusive podcast. Mar. 03, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/bringing-displaced-people-together-locals-berat-kjamili/) [ ![Building Homes for Displaced People](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Home.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • URBAN DEVELOPMENT #### Building Homes for Displaced People Worldwide | Jens Olsson Looking for a more impactful role in the world, Jens joined Life Shelter as a Managing Director. Mar. 03, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/building-homes-displaced-people-worldwide-jens-olsson/) [ ![Support Entrepreneurs](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Untitled_design_38.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • MOBILITY #### Why Papa Returned to Senegal to Invest $50M USD to Support Entrepreneurs | Papa Amadou SARR Originally from a small town in Senegal, Papa Amadou has decided to dedicate his life to serve others. Mar. 03, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/why-papa-returned-senegal-invest-50m-usd-support-entrepreneurs-papa-amadou-sarr/) [ ![Migration Entreprenurship Prize](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/migration_entrepreneurship.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Open Call: Migration Entrepreneurship Prize for Startups Working to Reduce Vulnerability of Migrants in MENA and Africa This 1st December, the Human Security Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs together with Seedstars will launch an open call for startups in countries and regions prone to strong migration movements in MENA and Africa. Dec. 09, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/open-call-migration-entrepreneurship-prize-startups-working-reduce-vulnerability-migrants-mena-and-africa/) [ ![Migrant Workers](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/passport-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • TECHNOLOGY #### Migrant Workers: Four Ideas On How Technology Can Support Skills Mobility In this article, we will focus on the question of mobility skills, because building the right framework and policies to enable the movement of people is primordial for a sustainable economy and social wellbeing of the world’s population. Oct. 22, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/migrant-workers-four-ideas-how-technology-can-support-skills-mobility/) --- ## Sitemap - [Sitemap](https://www.seedstars.com/sitemap.md): every public page on this site - [llms.txt](https://www.seedstars.com/llms.txt): what Seedstars does and where to start