The Visa Everywhere Pioneers initiative is a cornerstone of the Visa New Doors programme. It spotlights the stories of creativity and innovation that displaced women bring to their communities and local economies.

The programme honours remarkable women from diverse backgrounds, industries and experiences who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a commitment to build their own business and making a positive impact. These trailblazing individuals, whether they run small local businesses, innovative startups or large organisations, serve as beacons of inspiration, breaking down barriers and fostering positive change.

Now in its third year, the Visa Everywhere Pioneers winners have made outstanding contributions in healthcare, education, advocacy, business and other sectors.

Visa Everywhere Pioneers 2025

This year, the initiative was expanded to honour 30 winners, and the 2025 cohort of Pioneers will receive access to marketing support, business mentoring and over €60,000 of microgrants collectively to support their business growth.

 

Watch the highlights from this year’s awards ceremony

110 total applications

36 nationalities represented

17 countries of residence

Highlights from 2025’s programme of events

In 2025, Visa Everywhere Pioneers brought together learning, connection and celebration through two standout events in London. The programme opened with a two-day learning, mentoring and networking experience, beginning at Visa’s Paddington Market Support Office.

Through practical workshops, shared learning and conversations with business leaders and partners, participants built skills, exchanged ideas and formed meaningful connections. The momentum continued at the REN Summit, spotlighting these women as change makers, now supported with mentoring, language courses and over €60,000 in microgrants.

The programme concluded with an awards ceremony at Loughborough University London, celebrating 30 pioneers whose ambition, resilience and innovation are creating impact across Europe.

 


Hear from some of 2025’s cohort

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See the full list of finalists from 2025

Carme Diaby – Carme Diaby Association Against Child Sexual Abuse

Larysa Brovchyk – Kairos-K Global Education Hub

Nadia Al Soleman – AREA (Association for the Success of Allophone Students)

Hanna Zamostna – STEP TO EMPOWER C.I.C

Lesya Duda– tsvit

Basma El Doukhi – Roouh

Kim To – Own Your Flair

Lulijeta Jaha – Kuzhina e Lules

Olena Soinikova – Soinikova Digital

Bonney Magamo – HEMOFAB

Valeriia Semchuk – Selera

Aleksandra Ananyeva – ALTHOUSE

Anna Ponomarenko – SMKLK

Yuliia Volha – Psychiatrist

Liliia Ivolhina – Handstree

Azra Secerbegovic – AZRA Botanical Simplicity

Maryna Trepova – IPSM

Verónica Rivera – a better side

Tetiana Rumenko – Mushlia

Arooba Hameed – Aspiring Dreams

Rahaf Allymoni – Daffee

Sumaia Sediqi – Dor Afghanistan

Valentyna Vasylieva – Atelier Lilu

Atrisa Baharloo – Corn & Crunch

Shakiba Dawod – Le Cercle Persan

Tetiana Tarnai – Stargazing Events

Maryna Beshevets – VRODA Space

Mariia Bezusa – Yesense

Gulsom Gohar – Mountain Wool

Alaa Alsewid – Social By Design

Our 2025 judging panel

2025’s winners were selected by our panel of expert judges who come from diverse business backgrounds, bringing a wealth of experience to the Visa Everywhere Pioneers programme.

Mandy Lamb

Managing Director, UK&I

Graham Macmillan

President, Visa Foundation

Thami Schweichler

CEO & Founder, United Repair Centre

Hannah Caswell

Deputy Director of Development & Programmes, YBI

Abeer AbuGaith

CEO, MENA Alliance

Afnan Saqr

Education Consultant, Mentor & Chevening Scholar

Our 2025 partners

Visa is working with partners TERN, Singa, Odyssea and Delitelabs to deliver the Visa Everywhere Pioneers programme, which spotlights a diverse group of remarkable entrepreneurial women from refugee backgrounds across Europe who have made a positive impact in their fields. By providing a platform for them to tell their stories, alongside direct financial support, the programme supports Pioneers in scaling up their businesses and growing their revenues.

TERN

TERN is a key partner of the Visa Everywhere Pioneers programme. An ambitious social enterprise and ever-growing community, TERN supports refugee entrepreneurs in the creation and development of their own small-to-medium sized businesses. They have supported over 750 founders since 2016.
 

SINGA

SINGA is an international organisation dedicated to accelerating the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers. Present in seven countries, SINGA is one of Europe’s leading networks for refugee entrepreneurship.
 

Odyssea

Odyssea is a non-profit organization that supports young vulnerable people to have access to employment opportunities in society. We provide tailored vocational and life-skills training combined with employability services that bridge young people with the world of work and empowering them to realize their full potential.
 

Delitelabs

Delitelabs helps newcomers realise their potential through tailored learning journeys for starting a business or building a career, while also supporting companies in leveraging diverse talent and creating inclusive workplaces in The Netherlands.
 

Unlocking Visa New Doors for newcomers in Europe

Helping displaced people thrive