We met the team at We Belong, a relatively new charity that is entirely run by, and for, young migrants in the UK. They engage young migrants in advocating for a fairer immigration system, and provide them with the tools to speak out about injustice and become agents of change.
Established in 2019, We Belong was set up to directly organise and mobilise young migrants to speak out on the issues they had experienced. The charity was born out of the success of their first campaign, Let Us Learn, which was hosted by Just for Kids Law, and focused on the barriers young migrants face in accessing higher education.
Having seen the organisation grow from Let Us Learn, we have been impressed by the incredible impact they have had in such a short time. Their campaigns have led to a change in Student Finance rules to allow long-term migrants the chance to go to university with access to a student loan, the creation of over 20 scholarships through 'Young, Gifted and Blocked', and the Home Office freezing immigration fees for two years. We Belong shows what is possible when young people have the resource and power to lead change.
Connection to Esmée's strategy
- Priorities
- Long-term outcomes
- Young people (14-25) with experience of injustice create and lead positive change, and shape decision making.
