Refugee-Friendly Employers 2026

Press releases

Refugee-Friendly Employers 2026

Finland’s first "Refugee-Friendly Employers" announced — 6 companies lead the way in inclusive recruitment.

2 February 2026

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Startup Refugees have today unveiled the first-ever group of companies awarded the Refugee-Friendly Employer logo. Following a rigorous selection process, six companies—ranging from multinational giants to tech local innovators — have been recognized for their commitment to going beyond hiring by offering concrete support for refugee integration and career growth. These employers have pledged to implement structural changes that transform refugee inclusion into a strategic talent advantage.

A New Standard for Inclusion: The Refugee-Friendly Employer is a recognition program for businesses of diverse sizes that value refugee talent and go above and beyond to ensure their access to decent and meaningful work. The project is led by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the award-winning non-profit Startup Refugees in Finland.

The recognition was awarded to companies that have previously supported refugee employment and remain committed to enhancing refugees’ employability and career mobility within their organizations. It required companies to pass strict due diligence and commit to specific, measurable pledges for 2026. The awarded companies have committed to actions such as paid language studies during work hours, trauma-informed leadership training, and career progression pathways.

The Awarded Companies and their Pledges for 2026:

IKEA Oy: IKEA Finland pledges to maintain a refugee workforce representation of over 1% throughout 2026 by utilizing inclusive language requirements for entry-level vacancies and by continuing to support refugee employment in active collaboration with Startup Refugees and Finnish Refugee Council. They also commit to supporting career development through mentorship, language learning, and upskilling opportunities for all refugees in their workforce.

StaffPoint Oy: This leading staffing firm pledges to facilitate the employment of 80 refugees into mid-level or leased positions by the end of 2026 using the ‘Security Through Work’ model. They will also train 100% of internal HR staff and key client managers on trauma-informed management and inclusive hiring practices.

Bolt.Works Oy: A staffing innovator, Bolt.Works commits to hiring at least 25 refugees annually into construction, industry, and logistics roles. Additionally, they will provide 30 refugee employees with free opportunities for language and industry-specific training to ensure continued employment.

Ekovilla Oy: The carbon-neutral insulation manufacturer pledges to employ 20 refugees by the end of 2026 across all organizational levels. They will support professional skills development for 5 employees through apprenticeships and qualification exams, while also providing practical language learning for all employees during working hours.

Learning Intelligence Group / Claned: This EdTech specialist commits to maintaining a refugee workforce of over 1% through anonymous recruitment and inclusive assessment methods. They will also provide pro-bono access to their digital learning platform for at least 5 NGOs, enabling scalable training for hundreds of beneficiaries.

UBSolar Finland Oy: In the green energy sector, UBSolar pledges to hire 5 additional refugees into mid-level solar installation roles, maintaining a staff of over 10% with a refugee background. They will also implement a career development program for 5 high-potential employees.

Why It Matters

"By embracing diversity and focusing on strategic inclusion, these companies demonstrate that hiring refugees strengthens the economy and provides access to international expertise critical to Finland’s future," said Aicha Manai, CEO at Startup Refugees.

"These companies are proving that with the right support mechanisms—like language training and inclusive management—refugees don't just find jobs; they build careers and drive business innovation," said Annika Sandlund, UNHCR Representative for Nordic and Baltic Countries.

"The ‘Refugee-Friendly Employer' logo has the potential to become not just a badge of honour, but a driver of systemic change in the Finnish—and potentially wider European—labour market, attesting to the fact that refugees have talents and that when given career opportunities matched with their skills and experience they can help companies grow and contribute to the societies in which they live”, added Sandlund.

The Refugee-Friendly Employer Award is part of UNHCR’s Refugee Employment Platform (REP) initiative, which has expanded since 2019 to connect refugees across Europe with decent work, while helping businesses tap into a diverse and underutilized talent pool. More information is available on the award's official website, which will be updated throughout the year as the program progresses.

About the Organizers:

UNHCR supports efforts by governments and other stakeholders to ensure access to asylum and to international protection for refugees and asylum-seekers, as well as promoting durable solutions. UNHCR works to strengthen partnerships with state and non-state actors in order to ensure the inclusion of refugees, to garner support for both refugees and the communities hosting them, as well as enhancing joint advocacy efforts in the spirit of the Global Compact on Refugees.

Startup Refugees is an award-winning network that supports refugees with employment, skills development and entrepreneurship, having profiled the skills of thousands of newcomers in Finland. It has a network of more than 5000 members including companies, private and public sector organisations, and individuals. Startup Refugees is UNHCR's official national partner for the REP initiative.