The York Sanctuary Fund
117.2 million people
will be forcibly displaced or stateless in 2023
27.1 million
refugees are under 18
Only 6% of refugees globally
have access to higher education
Today, only 6% of refugees have access to higher education compared to 40% globally.
With global conflicts on the rise, the need to support displaced students and academics is more urgent than ever. York offers a path to safety and a chance to continue their education and vital work, ensuring skills and knowledge are not lost.
The York Sanctuary Fund provides scholarships and support to students, academics and human rights defenders displaced by conflict or persecution, helping them access higher education and rebuild their lives at the University of York.
At the University of York we don't just observe change; we're a catalyst for it.
The York Sanctuary fund offers scholarships, fellowships and financial support to help displaced individuals continue their education and rebuild their lives. Individuals like Victoria and Fawzia who found hope at sanctuary at York.
Fawzia originally started her studies in York just as the Taliban took power, and has been unable to return home. The stipend initially provided when Fawzia began her PhD was far from enough to cover her basic needs, and that is where the York Sanctuary Fund was able to respond. With the additional scholarship, Fawzia has been able to focus on her studies without the constant worry of how she will pay for basic necessities such as rent and groceries. With this financial burden lifted, Fawzia now envisions pursuing further research, or a career that directly contributes to the development of her home country, Afghanistan.
This would not have been possible without the support of people like you.
By investing in my education, you’re not just supporting an individual; you’re contributing to the empowerment of women, who in turn can transform entire families and communities. Educated women have the potential to drive significant change and uplift societies, and your support is instrumental in making this possible.
Thank you so much for your belief in me and for providing me with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Your support is a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change, and I am profoundly grateful for it.
Fawzia, York Sanctuary Fund Recipient
York provides a place of sanctuary for Human Rights Defenders.
Victoria is an environmental advocate and educator of indigenous communities from the Philippines, who recently graduated from the University of York’s Protective Fellowship Scheme for Human Rights Defenders at Risk.
The political situation in the Philippines regarding schools and education is deeply concerning, particularly for indigenous communities such as the Lumad, who make up 61% of the country’s indigenous people. Despite living among abundant natural resources, Lumad communities have historically been neglected and discriminated against by the state, leading to displacement and underdevelopment.
Despite all the challenges Victoria has faced in her life, her belief in defending the right to education has only strengthened.
Coming to the University of York allowed me to do this important work in a safer and more conducive environment. The constant threats and attacks faced by human rigghts defenders and communities in the Philippines made it difficult to focus on long-term planning and strategy. In York, I was able to take a step back, analyse the situation from a more global perspective, and learn from other human rights advocates and scholars.
Victoria Nolasco, Protective Fellowship Scheme for Human Rights Defenders at Risk graduate
The York Sanctuary Fund provides recipients with a sense of security and belonging in a new country.
It can turn what is a challenging and uncertain journey into one of hope, purpose, and possibility. The fund is designed to respond to the unpredictable nature of global issues, allowing York to continue to provide realistic packages of support to those seeking sanctuary, taking into consideration the multiple challenges they face.
34 scholars
from 20 countries supported by the York Sanctuary Fund.
122 human right defenders supported
10 since we launched the York Sanctuary Fund in 2023 and 112 from 52 countries since 2008.
3 Equal Access Scholarships this year
this includes an annual living allowance and full fee waivers.
The York Sanctuary Fund responds to the huge challenges faced by students, academics and Human Rights Defenders from around the world. Your support means that we can offer sanctuary when it is needed, without the pressure or limits of emergency support.
You can choose to support the York Sanctuary Fund which means that your support will go where the need is greatest.
