UNIQLO and UNHCR launch Hope Away From Home joint charity T-shirt collection

The Youth with Refugees Art Contest was established by UNHCR in 2020, creating an opportunity for young people around the world to exhibit their talent and creativity, and to express solidarity with refugees through their art. The contest promotes engagement with refugee issues and offers young refugee artists scope to express themselves and to maximise their potential. In 2023, UNHCR and UNIQLO co-organised the contest, encouraging customers around the world to support refugees through the purchase of a special collection of T-shirts.

The theme of the 2023 Youth with Refugees Art Contest was Hope Away From Home, emphasising recognition and inclusion for people who have fled their homes to find hope and rebuild their lives in places they have sought refuge. The artworks help refugees find acceptance and take the next steps, from meeting new friends and having a place to learn, to reuniting with family and finding work. More than 4,000 entries were received from all over the world, and UNIQLO made T-shirts from the five winning designs.

In addition to a direct donation of US$100,000 UNIQLO will make to UNHCR, it will also donate US$3 to UNHCR for each purchase of a T-shirt from the collection. UNIQLO will also donate 5,000 T-shirts and 1,000 tote bags from the collection to UNHCR. UNHCR will also sell these items internally at the online UNHCR Visibility Shop2, with all proceeds used for UNHCR's refugee support activities.

Hope Away From Home contest winners

Friend Code
Asifiwe, 14
Resettled to the U.S. from a refugee camp in Burundi.

"My drawing is a picture of my friend group from when I lived in Burundi. We all follow our friend code that says: ‘My friend squad comes first and nobody can break us apart.’ My friends are a source of strength and hope for me. We may be separate, but I am sure we're together in heart and that our memories will continue to live on.”

A Little Love from Home
Afya, 14
Young woman passionate about art, living in the U.S.

"The heart-shaped paper airplane is from someone important. When someone receives it on the other side of the globe, they will be hopeful and optimistic as a result of getting a little love while being away from home."

Wings of Hope
Virag, 28
Submitted her design from Hungary after visiting a UNIQLO store in Tokyo.

"Having met many inspiring asylum-seekers and refugees, I know how important ‘hope away from home’ is to rebuild one's life in a new environment. My drawing aims to express the act of chasing this hope, and the heart symbolizes that it is very much possible to follow your dreams, even if you are far away from home."

One Moon
Georgette, 14
Fled from Democratic Republic of Congo, now lives in a refugee camp in Tanzania.

“The sky and moon symbolize protection and unity. Despite our differences, we are all under the sky and share one moon, it doesn’t matter where you are, there is only one moon, and you are protected by the sky. I want to be a president because I believe I will have the power to make decisions that will not hurt people; power to end wars in the world.”

Birds from Home
Mawardi, 20
Fled to Somalia, hoping to become a doctor in her home country, Ethiopia.

“I remember the beautiful birds in my home country in the beautiful green forest. My hope is to see these birds again in the future, whether in my home country or somewhere else.”

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