UNHCR and Sony launch new partnership

TOKYO – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today announced a new partnership with Sony Group Corporation (hereafter, "Sony"), a USD 2 million over a two-year period.

Building on a relationship that began in 1991, the partnership will deliver life-saving emergency support for refugees in acute need globally, while also expanding access to higher education through the DAFI scholarship programme.

Over the course of the partnership, Sony’s support will help UNHCR provide essential assistance—such as shelter, healthcare, basic needs and protection services—to displaced communities affected by conflict, persecution and climate-related disasters.

At the same time, the partnership will guarantee refugee students the comprehensive support needed to complete full four-year university degrees through DAFI scholarships across three sub-regions of Africa.

With refugee tertiary education enrolment at 9 per cent, compared to 42 per cent among the global youth population, sustained investment remains critical to helping talented refugee students access and complete university. Through this partnership, Sony is contributing to UNHCR’s ongoing efforts toward the 15by30 target, which seeks to increase refugee enrolment in higher education to 15 per cent by 2030¹.

“Building on our longstanding collaboration with UNHCR and Japan for UNHCR, we are pleased that this new partnership will enable us to address urgent needs in emergency situations while expanding learning opportunities and prospects for refugee youth in Africa. We believe this partnership will meaningfully contribute to UNHCR’s efforts to expand access to higher education for refugees,” said Mitsu Shippee, Senior General Manager of Sustainability Department at Sony. “Sony defines ‘support to foster the next generation’, ‘disaster relief and humanitarian aid’, and ‘initiatives to address global issues’ as key focus areas of its social contribution activities and will continue to support UNHCR’s initiatives in these areas.”

By linking emergency response with guaranteed access to higher education, the Sony and UNHCR partnership aim to ensure that displaced young people are not only protected during crises, but supported to rebuild their lives with dignity, skills and opportunity.

“Right now, refugees and host communities are facing urgent, compounding pressures – conflict, climate shocks, and severe underfunding across the humanitarian system,” said Jorge Olague, Global Head of Private Sector Partnerships at UNHCR. “This partnership with Sony is a meaningful investment in both survival and long-term solutions. When we back refugee youth with protection, education and opportunity, they don’t just overcome barriers – they help reshape what’s possible.”

The partnership aligns with Sony’s Sustainability Vision to “Inspire a world filled with emotion for this generation and beyond,” and supports shared goals around inclusion and opportunity for displaced young people.

¹ UNHCR’s Education Report 2025: https://www.unhcr.org/media/unhcr-education-report-2025

About Sony Group Corporation

Sony Group Corporation is a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. Across its business segments – Game & Network Services; Music; Pictures; Entertainment, Technology & Services; and Imaging & Sensing Solutions; Sony's purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology. For more information, visit: Home - Sony Group Portal

About DAFI

The Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI), implemented by UNHCR since 1992, is the world’s largest higher education scholarship programme dedicated to refugees, supporting qualified students to pursue undergraduate studies in their country of asylum.

For more information, please contact:

• Oana Despan, Associate Private Sector Engagement Officer, [email protected]