A creative expression platform for displaced young people

The platform allows young refugees to share their stories through art, poetry, and film

Spotted: Unicef estimates that 13.7 million refugee or asylum-seeking children were displaced by the end of 2021. Even once safely relocated, most of these children continue to face ongoing difficulties and harm, including prejudicial treatment from those in the host country. The creative online platform Narratio encourages young people from disenfranchised groups to tell their story and get their voices heard.

Founder of Narratio Ahmed Badr first arrived in the US at eight years old, after his family home in Baghdad was bombed during the Iraq War. Following racist bullying at school, Badr turned to storytelling: “I realized that by sharing my story, I was indirectly dispelling stereotypes and changing negative attitudes”. To better understand his own experiences as a refugee and Iraqi-American, as well as help others understand him better, Ahmed Badr began to tell his story in an online blog – and Narratio was born.

Narratio is free and emphasises that contributors publish work on their own terms, whether that be in the form of poetry, narrative, art, or film and photo. As of now, the platform boasts over 40 storytellers from over 18 different countries. Narratio also offers workshops that provide an empowering and inclusive space for young people to engage in creative expression.

Badr also helped to set up the Narratio Fellowship – now in its fourth year – which is a programme providing resettled refugee youth with opportunities to share their stories using creative projects and workshops. The Fellowship has hopes of expanding across the US, with plans of launching its first international cohort in Manchester, UK.

Springwise has spotted other innovations aimed at improving social integration and dismantling cultural stereotypes, including refugee-led cooking classes that encourage cultural exchange, and a language-learning platform that improves job prospects of those from marginalised groups.

Written By: Matilda Cox