Our Story

We specialize in transforming refugee camps into more safe, enabling and self-sufficient communities by serving both hosting and hosted, and consulting stakeholders in the management of a humanitarian crisis.

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Movement On The Ground was first founded in 2015 on the Greek island of Lésvos. Upon seeing the photo of (3-year-old Syrian boy) Alan Kurdi’s lifeless body on the shores of Turkey, a small group of entrepreneurs could not continue with their normal lives and were driven to go to Lésvos and help in any way they could. At that time Lésvos was at the epicenter of Europe’s refugee crisis, with over 500,000 refugees arriving in just a few months, resulting in the largest refugee camp in Europe.

Ten years later, Movement On The Ground has grown to become an established NGO in the global humanitarian field, impacting over 250,000 people with community-led projects across 3 continents, including Europe, the MENA region, and Africa. Its key missions are currently in the Netherlands, Greece, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, but it was also previously active in Ukraine, Morocco, Poland and Turkey.

At the heart of Movement On The Ground is its ‘Camp to CampUs’ methodology, which enables forcibly displaced people to return to being active members of society. By actively involving displaced communities from the very start in both the co-creation and management of activities, and by providing them with access to education, vocational training, and psychosocial support, their potential and skills are unlocked, rather than being only beneficiaries of aid.

In this way, refugee reception centres are effectively transformed into self-sustaining community hubs that encourage active participation and facilitate integration and a sense of belonging into the local environment. Camp to CampUs is built on the firm belief that displaced people are as much a part of the solution in the provision of safe shelter and reception as any other stakeholder. The result is an enabling, sustainable, and cost-efficient environment for all involved.

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Guiding Principles

our core values driving systemic change

Dignity

We ensure that basic needs are met through co-created CampUs infrastructures that empower residents with access and agency.

Self-Reliance

We foster community unity by encouraging participation in volunteer programs and co-created social activities.

Belonging

We restore a sense of belonging and purpose by integrating individuals affected by crises into supportive communities.

Advocacy

We drive policy changes that support the societal integration of those impacted by humanitarian crises.

Impact

Partnering with leading humanitarian organisations to deploy our Camp to CampUs methodology worldwide.

Who we are, meet some of our team

“I was initially drawn to Movement on the Ground because of the urgency of its mission. With over 270 million people forcibly displaced globally, this is one of the most pressing crises of our time.

The MOTG approach prioritises human connection. It transforms the way camps traditionally operate, creating environments where individuals are valued as people, not just as refugees. Many displaced people in our CampUs have become volunteers, and some joined our staff. These stories highlight how people can regain control, feel uplifted, and become active contributors to the communities they now call home.”

Patricia Vermeulen, CEO of Movement on the Ground.

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“We recognise that the existing framework for managing humanitarian crises is under immense strain, with asylum and migration placing an unnecessary socio-economic burden on our societies. Our goal is to build bridges between residents, the community, and professionals in the reception sector. By challenging the prevailing approach in refugee camps and reception facilities with a fresh perspective and a proven methodology focused on resident participation, we, together with our partners, are driving innovation and providing much-needed relief to the global refugee reception system.”

Adil Izemrane, Co-Founder of Movement on the Ground.

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“We strive to turn humanitarian crises and displacement into new opportunities for all. Our mission is to reshape the current system, ensuring that refugees and those affected by crises are not merely seen as recipients of aid but active partners—working alongside communities and professionals in shaping solutions. We believe in the immense potential of people, not only to rebuild their own futures but also to enrich the societies that welcome them. Our approach addresses the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of crises, delivering a comprehensive and sustainable response for both individuals and the regions they inhabit.”

Maria Giulia, Head of Operations for Movement on the Ground.

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“My meeting with MOTG and its people has had a big impact on me. The way in which people are approached as human beings, a piece of dignity is returned to them, that by acting quickly on situations the impact is immediately visible and tangible.

I live in Nijverdal myself, a village in the east of the Netherlands. Inspired by MOTG, there I set up Restaurant Kleurrijk and Stichting Culture Kitchen. With this meeting place and work-study program, we hope to give people with a refugee background a stepping stone into our society.”

Jessica Heutink, Founder of Heutink Foundation and Supervisory Board Member for Movement on The Ground.

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“To me, everyone deserves dignity, opportunities, and respect. I have seen the positive impact when these basics are in place. Unfortunately, this is often not the case for people fleeing their countries. As part of MOTG, I want to contribute to a welcoming society where refugees feel at home and can thrive. The work of MOTG plays a fundamental role in achieving this.”

Bas-Jan Walhof, Director of Aqua+ and Supervisory Board Member for Movement on the Ground.

Aqua+ is a 5th generation family business focused on fire protection for large buildings in the Netherlands.

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movement in action

Our Vision

We envision a society where everyone, regardless of their background, belongs and feels free to contribute to societal changes.

We believe that a better world starts with building stronger communities, through our methodology, we enable individuals affected by a humanitarian crisis to reintegrate and become active, productive member of society.

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