Conflict, climate change, and extreme poverty have forced millions of people to flee their homes. Welcome Notes is Musicians Without Borders’ response to this global displacement crisis. What began as training musicians in the Netherlands to work in asylum centers has grown into an international program across Germany, Italy, Greece, and Bosnia & Herzegovina, supporting displaced people through music.

By using music to foster connection, resilience, and belonging, Welcome Notes helps people rebuild a sense of safety and community while supporting more welcoming and inclusive societies.

Music as a Bridge to Belonging

For people forced to leave their homes, music offers more than a creative activity, it creates moments of safety, connection and hope. By making music together, children, families and communities build trust, express themselves and experience a sense of belonging, even in the uncertainty of displacement.

“Through music, people find moments of safety, connection and hope, even while their future remains uncertain.”

— Kees Bakker, Creative Director Musicians Without Borders

Mission

Every week, Welcome Notes brings music to children, young people, adults and families living in refugee reception centres and asylum shelters across Europe. Through local partnerships and trained music leaders, the programme creates spaces where people can connect, express themselves and begin to recover from the experience of displacement. Current priorities include:

• Music in Reception Centres Weekly music workshops in refugee camps and asylum centres provide moments of joy, creativity and connection for children, young people, families and vulnerable adults navigating uncertainty and trauma.
• Building Local Capacity Together with community organisations and cultural partners, Welcome Notes trains musicians and practitioners to lead inclusive music programmes, ensuring knowledge and leadership remain embedded within local communities.
• Flexible Cross-Border Response Working with partners across Europe, the programme can quickly respond to changing migration routes and emerging humanitarian needs, adapting activities to where support is needed most.

Impact

People