Visa Everywhere Pioneers Programme 2026 for Female Entrepreneurs – Apply Now

Application Deadline: 1 May 2026

About the Programme

The Visa Everywhere Pioneers Programme 2026 is a prestigious initiative designed to support female entrepreneurs with refugee backgrounds in Europe, offering funding, mentorship, and business development opportunities. Organized by Visa Inc., the programme celebrates innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating impact in sectors like healthcare, education, business, and social development. Now in its fourth year, the initiative selects 30 outstanding women founders and provides them with resources to scale their businesses and increase their impact. The programme shines a spotlight on entrepreneurial women in Europe with refugee backgrounds who, through their own creativity, innovation, and leadership skills, are driving positive impact on a local, regional, or national scale.

Previous years’ winners have made outstanding impressions on healthcare, education, advocacy, business, and other sectors. They have delivered exciting new options for individuals, communities, and businesses, and have created employment for others. The Visa Everywhere Pioneers programme, which shines a spotlight on entrepreneurial women in Europe with refugee backgrounds, has opened for entries for 2026. The initiative will honour 30 winners, and the 2026 cohort of Pioneers will receive business mentoring, access to language courses, and over €60,000 of microgrants collectively to support their business growth.

Programme Benefits

Financial Support:

• €2,000 or £2,000 cash grant per winner (depending on location)
• Share of over €60,000 in total microgrants distributed among 30 winners

Additional Support:

• Access to business mentorship and expert guidance
• Access to language courses to support business development
• Visibility and recognition across Europe through Visa’s platform
• Opportunity to join a network of remarkable entrepreneurial women from refugee backgrounds

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Criteria:

• Be a woman aged 18 or older
• Have a refugee or displacement background (meeting one of the following: granted legal refugee status; asylum seeker with full, unrestricted right to work; person under international protection or on a humanitarian visa; or person born in a country listed under ‘High Warning’, ‘Alert’, ‘High Alert’, or ‘Very High Alert’ in the Fragile States Index who arrived in their destination country within the past five years)

Business Criteria:

• Be based in Europe (27 EU Member States or Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Iceland, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, or the United Kingdom)
• Own at least 51% of a registered business (as a sole trader or business entity)
• Have been operating for at least 12 months
• Have an active product or service in the market
• Have a physical or digital presence such as a store, website, or similar

Ineligible Applicants:

• Entrepreneurs without refugee or displacement background
• Businesses operating for less than 12 months
• Applicants not meeting the ownership threshold of 51%
• Businesses without an active product or service in the market

What the Programme Looks For

The Visa Everywhere Pioneers Programme seeks candidates who demonstrate:

• Innovation and creativity in their business approach
• Leadership skills and entrepreneurial vision
• Positive impact on local, regional, or national scale
• Potential for business growth and scaling
• Commitment to making a difference in sectors such as healthcare, education, advocacy, business, and social development

Application Process

Click on the link to the application website to apply. Applicants must submit their entries through the official programme portal, highlighting:

• Their business impact and achievements
• Innovation and growth potential
• Leadership and entrepreneurial journey
• Product or service offering and market presence

Partners

Visa is working with the following partners to deliver the Visa Everywhere Pioneers programme:

• TERN: An ambitious social enterprise and ever-growing community that 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: An international organisation dedicated to accelerating the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers, present in seven countries and one of Europe’s leading networks for refugee entrepreneurship.
• Odyssea : A non-profit organization that supports young vulnerable people to have access to employment opportunities in society, providing tailored vocational and life-skills training combined with employability services.
• Delitelabs: An organization that 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.

Key Dates

• Applications Open: 17 March 2026
• Applications Close: 1 May 2026 (23:59 GMT)
• Winners Announced: 20 June 2026 (World Refugee Day)

All applications must be submitted through the official portal before the deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.

Why This Programme Matters

Refugee and displaced women face unique barriers to entrepreneurship, including limited access to capital, professional networks, language support, and business mentorship. The Visa Everywhere Pioneers Programme directly addresses these barriers by providing not only financial support but also the training, mentorship, and visibility needed to scale businesses and increase impact.

By celebrating and supporting women entrepreneurs with refugee backgrounds, Visa is helping to:

• Unlock the economic potential of underrepresented founders
• Create employment opportunities for others in their communities
• Drive innovation in critical sectors like healthcare, education, and social development
• Build a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem across Europe

The programme’s timing announcing winners on World Refugee Day (20 June 2026) underscores Visa’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating the contributions of refugee entrepreneurs to European society and economy.

Click here to apply

For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the Visa Everywhere Pioneers Programme