The Human Safety Net

We can all agree on this: no one should be held back from reaching their full potential. That’s why The Human Safety Net’s mission is to unlock the potential of people living in vulnerable circumstances, where the odds are stacked against them.

When we help someone achieve their dream, whole families and communities benefit too. Fulfilling your potential creates a ripple of change that can transform the lives of those around you. We’re stronger together and that’s why The Human Safety Net has two broad programmes which bring together the strengths of non-profit organisations and the private sector.

Our first programme focuses on Early Childhood Development – that window of opportunity which is critical for shaping a child’s future and building the foundations for success as an adult. The best way to nurture children is through their parents, so The Human Safety Net for Families Programme supports parents living in vulnerable circumstances by investing in parenting courses and family centres where they can discover how to give their children the best start in life.

Our second programme focuses on refugees. Millions have arrived in Europe, having been forced to leave everything behind, including their careers and businesses. Many have the skills, passion and resilience to become successful entrepreneurs, building businesses that could create new jobs for people in their communities. But refugees face particular challenges when launching enterprises in their new countries. They are often confronted by complex regulations, a new culture and an unfamiliar business environment. They also lack the networks and finances to turn their dreams into reality.

The Human Safety Net for Refugees Start-Ups Programme supports them with training and coaching, as well as providing access to co-working spaces and financing. Today, we are proud to say that The Human Safety Net currently works with more than 50 NGOs and social enterprises in more than 200 locations. It has so far touched the lives of more than 150,000 people.

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The global goals

The Human Safety Net’s programmes contribute directly to five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Human Safety Net for Families contributes to early childhood indicators (SDG 3 and SDG 4); The Human Safety Net for Refugees helps create jobs and sustainable communities (SDG 8 and SDG 11); and all the programmes are based on the principle that they can only achieve a significant impact when working in partnership across countries and stakeholder groups (SDG 17).