Supporting Refugees in Europe: Alnylam Challengers and the Path to Empowerment

January 9, 2025

Arun Skaria

Sr. Director, Head of DEI and Corporate Responsibility, Alnylam

During a recent trip to Europe, I saw firsthand the incredible progress of Alnylam Challengers, our global health equity initiative, as it continues to expand and support refugees in their journey toward employment and entrepreneurship. Alnylam now proudly partners with four charities across Europe—Refugee Action in the UK, Forward•Inc in the Netherlands, Soleterre Foundation in Italy, and Netwomening in Spain. Together, these partnerships are transforming lives by addressing the critical challenges refugees face in their new countries and helping them rebuild their futures.

Why Employment Matters for Refugees

Employment isn’t just about earning a paycheck. For refugees, finding a job is a pivotal step toward integrating into a new society. Employment builds confidence, self-esteem, and financial independence, which are essential for mental well-being. At Alnylam, we recognize that securing quality work can break the cycle of poverty, enabling refugees to improve their health outcomes and establish stable lives for themselves and their families.

When refugees are forced to leave their homes, many leave behind successful careers. Doctors, teachers, business owners, and skilled professionals arrive in new countries only to encounter a maze of barriers—language, legal restrictions, unrecognized qualifications, and unfamiliar labor markets. These obstacles often lead to isolation and financial strain. Our charity partners are working tirelessly to provide solutions that overcome these hurdles, tailored to the unique challenges in each country.

The UK: Building Careers with Refuge Action

In the UK, we partner with Refugee Action, and our annual donation supports their two-pronged approach to assisting refugees in finding jobs. The first of which is a group-based, eight-week program that teaches participants about the UK job market and work culture, as well as CV writing, job searching, and interview skills. The group dynamic not only delivers valuable skills but also builds a sense of community and mutual support.

The second prong of the approach involves the delivery of personalized guidance by Employment Support Advisor, Nabil, who offers one-on-one sessions, providing tailored advice and ongoing support after employment. This helps new hires settle into their new roles confidently, with an understanding of their rights and career advancement pathways. Nabil’s guidance enabled Lilia, a Ukrainian refugee, to secure a senior position at Nestlé, aligning her role with the experience she had in Ukraine.

Since launching our partnership, Alnylam has helped Refugee Action support 434 refugees, with 44 securing employment, 25 taking on volunteer roles, and 32 pursuing further education to boost their job prospects.

The Netherlands: Fueling Entrepreneurship with Forward•Inc

In the Netherlands, our yearly donation to Forward•Inc funds a digital entrepreneurship program aimed at helping refugees, or “newcomers,” launch businesses. Many refugees are skilled entrepreneurs with great ideas, but without the local knowledge to bring them to life. This eight-week course provides essential training, including business planning, networking, speaker events, and one-on-one mentorship.

Since October 2022, Forward•Inc has run five courses, with 458 newcomers participating and 50% completing the program. The program boasts a 9.2/10 satisfaction score, and participants, like one newcomer, praise the “invaluable resources, mentorship, and expert guidance that empowers us to refine our business ideas and make strategic decisions.”

Italy: Practical Skills Training with Soleterra Foundation

Our partnership with Soleterre Foundation focuses on supporting their “Skills Academy,” which equips refugees with the practical training they need to succeed in fields like warehousing, catering, carpentry, and IT. Collaborating with local companies, Soleterre Foundation connects refugees with employers actively seeking skilled workers through Speed Meet events. Mamadi, a carpenter from Mali, found work through the carpentry program after demonstrating his skills at one such event, securing an internship with a local company.

Language barriers are a significant challenge, particularly in Italy, where many refugees don’t initially speak Italian. By incorporating language lessons, the Skills Academy ensures that refugees are prepared to engage fully in their communities and workplaces.

In 2024, Soleterre Foundation received the “We Welcome” award from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, acknowledging the positive impact the Skills Academy has had on the refugee community in Italy. To date, the program has supported 130 refugees across 40 nationalities, with 36 securing employment contracts.

Spain: Building Community and Resilience with Netwomening

Our partnership with Netwomening is helping Afghan women who have fled the Taliban regime to rebuild their lives in Spain. The charity connects participants with “godmothers” and “godfathers”—volunteers who offer mentorship, cultural guidance, and emotional support.

Netwomening has supported over 170 Afghan women to date, including Hasina, who was a plastic surgeon in Afghanistan. Though her qualifications are not yet recognized in Spain, Netwomening is helping her navigate the healthcare system and find interim roles until she can continue her medical career.

Alnylam's Employees: Mentoring for Lasting Impact

Alnylam employees have embraced these partnerships, offering their time as mentors and hosting events to raise awareness about the challenges refugees face. Our mentors have reported that these experiences are mutually transformative. One Dutch colleague shared, “I think we learn as much from them as they do from us—especially about resilience and persistence” demonstrating the positive impact these relationships have on our employees and reinforcing our culture of giving back.

Challenging Perceptions and Creating Opportunity

During my discussions with our charity partners, it became clear that terms like “asylum seeker,” “refugee,” and “migrant” are often misunderstood and incorrectly used interchangeably. This can lead to confusion and negative perceptions that hinder refugee support. Asylum seekers are people fleeing violence or persecution, seeking protection. Refugees have been granted asylum, while economic migrants leave for financial reasons. In some countries the media has exploited this lack of clarity for political purposes which exacerbates the issue.

It’s also evident that the status of asylum seekers’ rights varies widely by country. For instance, the UK restricts asylum seekers from working until their claims are approved, often leaving them in challenging financial and emotional situations. In Italy, asylum seekers can reside in the country after they submit an “Asylum Request,” however, they are unable to work and make an income for 60 days.

A Vision for a More Inclusive Future

Through Alnylam Challengers, we’re not only addressing immediate needs but also helping refugees build meaningful, sustainable lives. Employment and entrepreneurship empower people to contribute to their new communities, foster social integration, and improve mental and physical health.

As we look ahead, we’re committed to further developing these partnerships and supporting those who have been forced to start over. Alnylam Challengers is more than just an initiative, it’s a movement toward health equity, resilience, and opportunity. By supporting these incredible individuals, we are not only helping them thrive; we’re enriching our communities and giving hope to those in need.

We invite you to learn more about corporate responsibility at Alnylam and download our latest Corporate Responsibility Report.