Suryam Association's Ukrainian refugee integration project wins global UN and BMW Group award
The Suryam Association (MuresHub), based in Targu Mures, has become the first organisation in Romania to receive a global award from the United Nations (UNAOC) and BMW Group for social innovation, at the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) Gala in Milan. The award recognises a project launched in 2022 as an emergency response to support families fleeing the war in Ukraine.
'The non-governmental organisation Suryam Association (MuresHub) has achieved an unprecedented national first, becoming the first and only organisation in Romania to be honoured at the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) Gala in Milan, Italy, for an innovative project dedicated to the integration of refugees and migrants. This achievement is all the more remarkable as the Romanian project was selected from more than 1,400 applications submitted from around the world, becoming one of the 10 organisations awarded globally in the 2026 edition (...). The project that won over the international jury is entitled 'The Integration Atlas - A Multi-Stakeholder Framework for Social Cohesion in Central Romania'. The initiative was launched in 2022 as a direct emergency response to support families fleeing the war in Ukraine, subsequently evolving into permanent and sustainable infrastructure for social inclusion in central Romania, developed in partnership with the Mures branch of the Red Cross and local stakeholders from MuresHub,' Suryam Association president Marius Dumitrescu announced in a press release on Monday.
According to him, the Intercultural Innovation Hub is a prestigious strategic partnership established by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and BMW Group, with the support of Accenture. It is celebrating 15 years of activity dedicated to identifying and supporting the world's best models of social innovation and intercultural dialogue.
The award-winning project by the Suryam Association is a mobile inclusion lab that uses immersive, empathy-building tours based on virtual reality technology to change perceptions of diversity. The project also includes support for labour market integration, language access and the creation of community spaces.
'What began in 2022 as emergency aid for families fleeing the war in Ukraine has evolved into a permanent pillar of social integration in central Romania. With the support of the Intercultural Innovation Hub, we are expanding 'The Integration Atlas' to build lasting cohesion between refugees, economic migrants and host communities - ensuring that in Romania there are no strangers, only neighbours. Polarisation and xenophobia fade when genuine empathy takes over. Using virtual reality tools, we turn abstract statistics into powerful human connections, changing the way we view diversity from an entirely new perspective,' Marius Dumitrescu said.
The international recognition highlights the potential for Romania to play a leading role in the application of technology in the social sector.
'Romania has become an important hub for digital and technological innovation. 'The Integration Atlas' shows how innovation can create social value: by combining virtual reality, empathy and collaboration, the project helps people understand different perspectives. We are proud that this visionary approach from Romania is joining the global Intercultural Innovation Hub network,' said Oliver Rademacher, Managing Director of BMW Group Romania.
At international level, the impact of the project from Mures was also welcomed by Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).
'As we mark 15 years of partnership between UNAOC and BMW Group, the Intercultural Innovation Hub continues to demonstrate the power of cross-sector collaboration in promoting inclusion and mutual understanding. This year's award winners exemplify how grassroots innovation can generate lasting impact in communities around the world,' Miguel Ángel Moratinos said, according to the press release.
As the winner of the award under the motto 'Connect. Empower. Elevate.', the Suryam Association will receive direct funding of up to USD 20,000, along with an intensive 12-month capacity-building programme and strategic mentoring provided by UNAOC, BMW Group and Accenture.
The resources secured will enable the association to scale up its methodology, developed in central Romania, and extend it to new regions across the country, Marius Dumitrescu said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Dorina Matis; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)
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