International Day of Education: Supporting Refugee Students Through Our Partnership with UNHCR
9 February 2026
Last month, we marked International Day of Education — a powerful reminder of the transformative role learning plays in shaping brighter futures. In honour of this day, we are highlighting why access to education matters for refugees, not only in the classroom, but in every aspect of life.
Refugees face immense barriers when rebuilding their lives, from limited opportunities to financial hardship and uncertainty about the future. Yet with the right support, education can become a vital pathway to stability. It empowers refugees to rebuild, contribute to society, and thrive in their new communities.
Higher education in particular offers more than academic achievement. It provides skills, confidence, and long-term opportunities that help individuals regain independence and create lasting change for themselves and those around them.
Since 1992, the UN Refugee Agency’s DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme has helped open doors for tens of thousands of refugee students worldwide. Through access to higher education, refugees are able to:
- Build stability and self-reliance
- Contribute meaningfully to their communities
- Break cycles of poverty
For the past two years, 4C Group has been delighted to support refugee students in accessing higher education through the DAFI scholarship programme. Through our partnership with UK for UNHCR, we have been able to support 70 students pursue their studies and turn their dreams into reality.
Investing in education doesn’t just change individual lives — it helps build stronger, safer futures for all. Higher education is not simply a qualification; it is a lifeline. Together, we are unlocking the power of education as a force for good, creating opportunities that inspire hope and empower future generations.
About 4C Group
4C Group manages and develops properties and hotels in key business districts and leisure hot spots across the UK, East Africa and Canada. The company was formed in 2010, building on the foundations of a family property business that stretches back to the 1990s.
In 2021, 4C Group added two new developments to their portfolio including the five-star Westin London City and Canopy by Hilton London City. Both hotels represent the first in the UK-based Marriott and Hilton luxury and lifestyle brands market.
In 2022, 4C Group partnered with Regal London and Pluto Finance to deliver The Haydon, a residential tower of 87 apartments in Aldgate in the heart of the City of London, which is now complete.
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