Do you want to get involved in this year’s Festival? 

Refugee Festival Scotland will be back from 12 to 21 June and we are inviting people across Scotland to make it happen! 

There are lots of ways to take part. Here are more details: 

Run an event

Everyone is welcome to apply to host an event as part of Refugee Festival Scotland. Whether you are an individual, community group, or organisation based in Scotland, we’d love to hear from.  

Your event can take many forms – from craft workshops, art exhibitions and film screenings to music performances, language sharing activities, sports and outdoor events.   

We are always interested in seeing new types of events happening. Get creative! You can have a look at previous Festival events for inspiration. 

Event registration is now open! The deadline to submit your event is 12 noon on Tuesday, 21 April.  

To find out how to register, please read our event guidelines.

Apply for Festival funding

Small Grants are available to help communities cover the cost of running events as part of Refugee Festival Scotland. Groups and organisations can apply for up to £750. 

Applications are now open!  The closing date for funding applications is 12 noon on Tuesday, 24 February. 

Get more information and apply for Small Grants funding here. 

Volunteer as a grants panel member

All Small Grants applications will be reviewed by a panel of community volunteers.  

We are looking for volunteers to join our Small Grants Evaluation Panel.  

This opportunity is open to refugees, people seeking asylum and members of refugee community groups living anywhere in Scotland. You must be at least 18 years old.  

The deadline for expressions of interest is 12 noon on Friday, 6 February.   

If you are interested, you can find more information and apply here. 

Support for artists: Arts Open

Artists from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds are invited to apply to Arts Open. 

Running for its third year, the Arts Open programme will support three artists or collectives to showcase their work at the Festival and present it to public audiences in Scotland. 

This opportunity is open to artists from all creative backgrounds. The deadline to apply is 12 noon on Tuesday, 24 February.  

See full details and apply here. 

Join us!

Refugee Festival Scotland 2026 will mark 75 years of the UN Refugee Convention with a vibrant programme of events that will celebrate the creativity, food, music, language, and ideas brought by those who seek sanctuary in Scotland.  

We hope you will join us from 12 to 21 June as we come together in celebration of creativity, welcome and solidarity. See you in June! 

Photo credits: Angela Caitlin and Polina Perfilieva