UniR, an association supporting the integration of refugees and asylum seekers, opens a branch and rolls out its programs in Lyon
UniR is a public-interest association that supports refugees and asylum seekers in their academic, professional, and social integration. Founded in Paris, it is now setting up in Lyon with the support of the Lyon Metropolitan Authority, ONLYLYON Invest, and Ronalpia.
Worldwide, around 281 million people live in a country other than the one in which they were born. This displacement often goes hand in hand with social exclusion. In response to this reality, and convinced that access to education is a key lever for inclusion, UniR is committed to supporting asylum seekers and refugees in their academic integration. A winner of the 2023 edition of the “Implantation” program jointly led by the Lyon Metropolitan Authority, ONLYLYON Invest, and Ronalpia, the association is now establishing its operations in Lyon.
UniR, an association committed to equal opportunity and socio-professional inclusion
UniR promotes a more inclusive and equitable vision of society, in which everyone can take control of their future through the (re)discovery of their potential.
The association was founded in 2018 as part of the Kiron France program, which facilitates access to higher education for foreign nationals. After more than a year and a half of experience, its founder, Camila Ríos Armas, with the support of the board of directors, created UniR. Since then, the association has helped more than 2,900 people from 90 countries build confidence in themselves and in their future.
To carry out its mission, UniR relies on three pillars:
- individualized support for personal projects, including university enrollment,
- preparation for returning to studies and for professional integration,
- and awareness-raising activities.
In Lyon, under the leadership of Alissa Jemaï, the association is rolling out several of its programs. Among them, its women-to-women mentoring program, “Intercultur’elles”, has already benefited 10 mentor–mentee pairs since October 2023. In addition, its FLE 2.0 program facilitates learning French through online courses. UniR also offers conversation workshops and cultural activities throughout the area. Since February 2024, the association has also provided individualized support for returning to studies for people wishing to enroll in higher education.
The Lyon Metropolitan Authority, ONLYLYON Invest, and Ronalpia support the scaling of solutions that promote academic and socio-professional integration
The Lyon Metropolitan Authority is strongly committed to supporting projects with social impact. As part of the “Implantation” program, UniR benefited from tailored support from ONLYLYON Invest (the economic development agency for the Lyon region), the Lyon Metropolitan Authority, and Ronalpia, an accelerator for companies and associations with social impact. Through this program, the three organizations support the establishment of social enterprises and associations offering proven solutions that address local needs.
This support enabled UniR to secure funding, find premises, and build strong connections within the Lyon ecosystem in order to recruit new people ready to get involved.
Villeurbanne, a favorable location for UniR’s establishment
UniR has set up at 10 rue du Pérou in Villeurbanne, in the former ACI factories, within a temporary-use program run and managed by Intermede. This location is strategic for the association. For two years, the former industrial site will bring together organizations from the social and solidarity economy, local craftspeople, and cultural stakeholders, creating a strong sense of community and on-site collaboration. In addition, the site is easily accessible by public transportation.
UniR works alongside associations, institutions, and companies across the Lyon metropolitan area to jointly promote the academic and socio-professional integration of refugees and asylum seekers.
Contact UniR to get involved.