Hello Europe Tour

Rethinking Migration from a Social Innovation Perspective

Catalyzing New Frameworks for Migration Conversations

Migration is often placed as a central issue in society’s increasing polarization, and it is framed as a massive, unsolvable problem in which migrants are passive objects of compassion or fear. But this isn’t quite accurate. From the perspective of social innovation, migration is a major force for positive change and a source of changemaking like none other. Indeed, there are many innovations, solutions and insights from the sector of migration that can help us unlock change for good in key areas of society like participation and democracy. Emphasize the importance of shifting migration narratives and catalyzing new initiatives.

What is the Hello Europe Tour?

The Hello Europe Tour is a series of events across Europe, hosted by Hello World, Ashoka’s Global Migration Initiative, in collaboration with local partners. These gatherings bring together leading social innovators, changemakers, and thought leaders to reimagine migration through the lens of social innovation.

Our Goals:

  • Challenge conventional narratives by presenting migration as an opportunity for progress.

  • Share actionable insights, solutions, and innovative practices from the migration sector.

  • Foster dialogue among key stakeholders, including corporate leaders, policymakers, social entrepreneurs, and academics.

Why Now?

Migration has become a central issue in society’s polarization, often framed as too big or too complex to solve. Yet, the reality tells a different story:

  • Migration is a defining aspect of human existence, filled with untapped potential.

  • People on the move are not passive—they are changemakers eager to contribute to their communities.

Europe stands at a critical juncture. With the right policies and narratives, migration can strengthen societal cohesion and drive innovation across sectors.

Hello Europe Tour Destinations & Themes

Vienna, Austria: Rethinking Migration from Social Innovation: every person on the move a changemaker.

Our first stop in Vienna set the tone. It is the city where Hello Europe first took root in 2015 and where, today, migration remains at the heart of societal debate. We gathered nearly 50 changemakers from diverse backgrounds and sectors to tackle the pressing challenges of migration.

Co-hosted by Forum Razumovsky, Ashoka Austria and Hello Europe, the event featured thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and powerful insights from leaders in the field.

Our conversations emphasized the importance of inclusive storytelling, multi-stakeholder collaborations and amplifying migrant voices in policymaking and media narratives. 

Dive into our blog post for more insights.

London, UK: Rethinking Migration Narratives Through Social Innovation

On March, the Hello Europe Tour continued its journey, bringing together a vibrant mix of changemakers, social entrepreneurs, business and policy leaders and philanthropists to reimagine migration through the lens of social innovation.

Co-hosted by Hello Europe, Ashoka UK & Ireland, and partners during Wales Week in London, our London gatherings explored the migration landscape in Wales and the UK —highlighting both pressing challenges and transformative solutions.

The big takeaway? Rethinking migration isn’t just a conversation—it’s a collective effort. And London proved once again that local changemakers are at the heart of this movement.

 

Read the blog post for a deep dive into the highlights.

Paris, FRANCE: Rethinking Migration, Social Innovation & Collective Action

On the third stop of the Hello Europe Tour, we’re heading to Paris—a city shaped by movement, resistance, and reinvention.

We are joining social entrepreneurs, activists, artists, policymakers, and movement-builders to reimagine what collective action can look like in the field of migration. This stop offers a space to explore Hello Europe’s insights and practices—from co-creating solutions with people on the move to shifting narratives through cross-sector collaboration. Together, we’ll share bold ideas, strengthen connections, and highlight what it takes to build lasting impact across borders and systems.

Next Stop: Milan, Italy: Reimagining Migration in Urban Spaces

Thursday, October 22nd  | 16.30- 17.45 p.m. CET | BASE Milano 

We’re stopping in Italy to explore how cities and young changemakers are reshaping the future of migration.

We are organizing an interactive session which will gather change leaders for a dynamic exchange on how cities can become engines of inclusion — and how migrant youth are leading the way. Through a curated panel and participatory dialogue, we’ll surface stories from those building bridges across generations and borders, spotlighting collaborations that challenge exclusion and unlock belonging in urban contexts.

Together, we’ll co-create a conversation that honours complexity, uplifts migrant agency, and advances collective action for a more just and connected Europe.

Join us to reimagine how cities — and communities — can welcome, empower, and grow together.

Reserve your spot!

Let's stay connected!

  • The Hello Europe Tour is just one part of a larger movement, aimed at rethinking migration as a force for good. Join us, stay engaged, and share your ideas with the Hello Europe community! If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our ongoing initiatives, reach out to us.

  •  Help us celebrate impactful changemakers by nominating a changemaker for migration here. 

  • Uncover our visionary framework of four paradigms emerging in the field of migration. 

  • Sign up for Hello Europe Community and other communication here.