Nexus 3.0 Newsletter
(January – July 2026)
Dear friends,
The first half of 2026 has been marked by uncertainty.
Across the world, solidarity is under pressure. Public attention has become increasingly fragmented, with debates often confined to national borders, local concerns and short term interests. At a time when more than 120 million people remain forcibly displaced, it is becoming harder to mobilize support for global causes, even when they concern fundamental human rights such as the right to education.
History, however, has never moved in a straight line.
Periods of retreat have always been followed by renewed commitment. Progress has always depended on those willing to keep the light alive while others looked away. At Nexus 3.0, we believe our responsibility is precisely that: to keep working, to keep building partnerships, and to continue creating opportunities for young people whose future depends on education.
That has been our guiding principle throughout these first seven months of 2026.
Looking for Every Opportunity
Financial sustainability has never been more challenging.
Rather than waiting, we decided to pursue every opportunity available. During the first semester, Nexus 3.0 submitted six applications to international calls, grants, awards, and prizes covering areas such as:
- Human Rights
- Higher Education
- Women’s Education
- Migrant Integration
- Innovation and Creativity
Each application required considerable effort from our volunteer team. Whether or not they succeed, they represent new possibilities for expanding educational opportunities for young people affected by conflict and displacement.
Now… we keep our fingers crossed.
Building Tomorrow's Projects
Alongside fundraising, we continued developing initiatives that we believe can transform educational opportunities over the coming years.
HELP Fund
Our solidarity funding mechanism continues to evolve as we engage universities and partners around a simple idea:
Education pathways require sustainable funding—and everyone can contribute.
Lighthouse Healing Hub
We continued refining the Lighthouse concept, combining mental health support, wellbeing and higher education for displaced students. Because education alone is not enough. Students also need confidence, resilience, and the psychological conditions to thrive.
Syria
Following recent developments, Nexus 3.0 has started exploring possible cooperation projects that may contribute to rebuilding educational opportunities in Syria. It is still an exploratory phase, but one we hope will grow into meaningful partnerships.
University in Exile
We have also been exploring the creation of an online University in Exile for Afghan women, making use of one of the greatest resources we already have: our own students and alumni.
The idea is simple but powerful: those who have been able to study can become teachers, mentors and role models for thousands of young Afghan women who remain excluded from higher education.
PORTUS
Our work on PORTUS also continued. The project aims to establish a pilot Education Complementary Pathway in Portugal, creating legal, safe and structured opportunities for refugees and displaced students to access Portuguese higher education.
Scholarship Programs
Our scholarship programs remain at the heart of Nexus 3.0.
Although we would like to support many more students, limited funding continues to constrain our capacity. Expanding the programs remains one of our main priorities, and we continue looking for new partnerships, donors, and institutional support. Despite these challenges, our students’ results continue to inspire us.
Innovation
Congratulations to Benazir and Yasaman, who made a final pitch of their NeoLife AI project at the Poliempreende 2026 startup competition. They were awarded the First Place in the competition. As a result, their team has qualified to represent their higher education institution, the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB), at the National Competition in Portugal. We are so proud of our young students!
NeoLife AI is a wearable infant wellness monitoring system designed for babies from birth to two years of age. Combining a lightweight wearable device with a mobile application, it monitors key physiological indicators—including heart rate, oxygen trends, movement and temperature—to help caregivers detect early warning signs while reducing unnecessary stress caused by false alarms. The project is currently in its prototype phase and is now seeking technical validation, clinical partnerships and mentorship to take the next step towards real-world implementation.
Beyond the award itself, NeoLife AI embodies what Nexus 3.0 strives to achieve.
Students who once faced the loss of their own educational opportunities are now using the knowledge and skills they have acquired to develop innovative solutions that can improve lives around the world. It is a powerful reminder that investing in higher education for displaced students is not only an investment in individual futures—it is an investment in ideas, innovation and the common good.
New Graduates
We are delighted to celebrate four new
graduates:
- Mashid – Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and International Relations (Lusófona University, Porto)
- Nazanin – Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (CESPU)
- Roqia – Master's Degree in Psychology (CESPU)
- Madhia – Master's Degree in Computer Science (Polytechnic Institute of Bragança)
Preparing New Students
The four students who arrived in Portugal in December 2025 successfully completed an intensive linguistic preparation semester, thanks to the outstanding collaboration of INLINGUA School of Languages. This bridge program gives students the language skills and confidence they need before entering higher education.
We are deeply grateful to the entire INLINGUA team for believing in this journey.
From Graduation to Employment
Education does not end with graduation.
This year we were especially pleased to celebrate important professional milestones.
- One alumna joined the Aga Khan Development Network.
- One alumna joined BNP Paribas.
- Another graduate will shortly begin an internship at Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD).
- Two additional alumni are currently receiving career coaching and employment support.
Three Lessons We Continue to Learn
Our experience over the past years increasingly confirms three important lessons.
- Graduation is not the finish line.
Post-graduation support is essential if talented graduates are to find employment that matches their qualifications and avoid the tragedy of brain waste. - Soft skills matter.
Coaching, mentoring, and career guidance are just as important as academic knowledge. Building confidence, assertiveness, communication skills, and professional networks often determines whether graduates successfully enter the labor market. - Language preparation works.
Providing several months of language training before university significantly increases students’ chances of academic success. However, these programs require funding—not only for tuition, but also for
accommodation and living expenses during this preparatory period.
Advocacy and International Cooperation
Advocacy remains one of the core pillars of Nexus 3.0.
In March, we organized our international conference as part of our Erasmus+ project, bringing together universities, NGOs, European institutions, and refugee students to discuss educational pathways and post-graduation transitions.
We also participated in the Share HERCoN meeting in Louvain-la-Neuve, contributing to discussions on financing education pathways, graduate employability and integration models for refugee students.
In June, Nexus 3.0 joined the Alliance for Education of Women in Afghanistan (AEWA) and participated in its High-Level Forum in Geneva, which focused on advancing education pathways and strengthening international cooperation for Afghan
women and girls.
These collaborations reinforce our conviction that lasting solutions can only be built through partnerships.
Looking Ahead
As we pause for the summer, our feelings are mixed.
We are deeply encouraged by what has been achieved on the ground.
Every student who graduates.
Every young woman who enters university.
Every graduate who finds meaningful employment.
Every new partnership.
Every project under development.
These are tangible reminders that education changes lives.
At the same time, we remain concerned about the financial sustainability of our work.
Fundraising has never been more difficult.
Yet giving up has never been an option.
Thank You
None of this would have been possible without our extraordinary students, alumni, volunteers, universities, donors and partners.
Your trust, commitment and generosity continue to make these achievements possible.
Together, we are proving that even in difficult times, hope can still be built—one student, one partnership and one opportunity at a time.
We wish you and your families a peaceful, restful and inspiring summer.
P.S. One More Thought...
Since this newsletter was finalized last Tuesday, our Nexus 3.0 community has been shaken by heartbreaking news.
Our dear student and recent graduate, Madhia, was seriously injured in a road accident and is currently receiving intensive care in Porto.
The news has deeply affected all of us—her friends, fellow students, colleagues, the Nexus 3.0 family, and the entire community at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB). Her Master’s thesis defense, which was scheduled for the coming days, has understandably been postponed.
Madhia has already shown extraordinary courage and resilience throughout her journey.
Today, she faces perhaps her greatest challenge yet.
We know she is receiving the very best medical care, and we remain united in hope. We believe in her strength, in her determination, and in the extraordinary resilience she has demonstrated time and again. Our thoughts are with her, her family, and everyone who loves her.
Please keep Madhia in your thoughts.
We all look forward to the day when she is back with us—healthy, smiling, and ready to
continue the future she has worked so hard to build.
The Nexus 3.0 Team
Help us keep the light on
If the work of Nexus 3.0 resonates with you, we invite you to join our community.
There are many ways to make a difference.
- Share your time by volunteering.
- Share your knowledge by mentoring students, offering professional expertise or opening new opportunities.
- Share your network by introducing Nexus 3.0 to individuals, companies, or institutions that may wish to support our work.
- Make a donation to help us continue providing life-changing educational
opportunities for students affected by conflict and forced displacement.
Every contribution—large or small—helps keep the light on.
Bank transfer: IBAN: PT50 0018 0003 5639 7342 0201 5
Or contact us at board@nexus3.pt if you would like to discuss other ways to get involved.
Thank you for believing that education changes lives.
