The displacement crisis crossed a new mark at the end of 2022, with the total number of people forcibly displaced globally exceeding 108.4 million for the first time. Consequently, YouTube and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, released of a new film series on World Refugee Day showcasing the creativity and courage of refugees from three different regions of the world.

The short film series entitled We Were Here, seaked to challenge stereotypes and perceptions by connecting refugees with some of YouTube’s most influential content creators around shared interests.

The enormity and complexity of the issues can feel overwhelming: it is easy to lose sight of the individuals affected by displacement and see only the scale of the situation. The “We Were Here” series aims to give people an opportunity to identify with individuals by connecting with something we all share — creativity.

The displacement crisis crossed a new mark at the end of 2022, with the total number of people forcibly displaced globally exceeding 108.4 million for the first time. Consequently, YouTube and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, released of a new film series on World Refugee Day showcasing the creativity and courage of refugees from three different regions of the world.

The series featured three films: The Musicians, The Toymaker and The Permaculturist - all of which aimed to challenge stereotypes and perceptions about refugees by connecting refugees with some of YouTube’s most influential content creators around shared interests such as music, growing food, and building toys.

Through these unexpected connections, these untold stories inspired a new and engaged audience to see refugees in an entirely new light — sparking powerful solidarity with displaced people everywhere.

The displacement crisis crossed a new mark at the end of 2022, with the total number of people forcibly displaced globally exceeding 108.4 million for the first time.

Consequently, YouTube and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, wanted to challenge stereotypes and perceptions. While giving people an opportunity to identify with individuals through connecting with something we all share — creativity.

As a results of this insight, YouTube and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, released of a new film series on World Refugee Day showcasing the creativity and courage of refugees from three different regions of the world.

13,200 total views on trailer

143h 30min watched time

602,400 impressions

10,400 unique viewers

95% of watched time from new users to UNHCR’s channel (not subscribed)

5.81M+ followers potentially reached across all collaborators channels

667K+ views from posts by partner and collaborators

Webby Award for Best Documentary

OOH results: London and Waterloo bridges activation provided opportunity for over 7.3M IRL

impressions, New York Times Square billboard attracted over 1.5M impressions on World Refugee Day