GALWAY, IRELAND – 2026-03-18
Alison, the world’s premier free online education platform, today reveals a heartfelt partnership with Phoenix Space CIO aimed at providing vital educational lifelines to refugee, displaced and marginalised youth from Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and beyond. This active initiative fulfils Alison’s mission to break down barriers and rekindle hope through accessible learning worldwide.
Addressing the Education Crisis Facing Refugee and Displaced Youth Demands Innovative Online Learning Solutions
More than 14.8 million school-aged refugee children are caught in education limbo, with almost half, approximately 7.2 million, missing out on schooling altogether, according to the latest UNHCR data. Global enrollment rates for refugees plummet drastically at higher education levels, with only 7% accessing tertiary education due to soaring fees and poor connectivity. This glaring gap underscores a critical global emergency to provide innovative, flexible learning solutions that bypass traditional barriers of conflict, displacement, and poverty.
Phoenix Space CIO and Alison’s collaboration delivers scalable digital upskilling for refugee, displaced, and marginalised youth in conflict-affected areas such as Syria and Palestine via education and online learning resources. Every student will receive an Alison's LMS+ licence, allowing students to benefit and utilise the power of Alison’s 6,000+ CPD-accredited courses, and gain 21st-century, in-demand skills, boosting employability and personal development for those rebuilding shattered lives.
Empowering crisis-displaced refugees through education
This partnership brings hope and concrete opportunities, enabling refugee and displaced youth, often deprived of basic education, to acquire job-ready skills and regain agency over their futures. At the same time, NGOs and educators receive a scalable, tech-enabled platform to deliver quality education efficiently. Employers and local economies also stand to gain from a rising skilled talent pool drawn from communities often sidelined due to the crisis.
Olivia Cosgrove, Head of Social Impact, Alison, shares, “In a world too often divided, education remains a powerful unifier and source of strength. Partnering with Phoenix Space to empower refugees is more than support; it’s a lifeline restoring dignity and sparking new beginnings. We’re honoured to stand alongside those rebuilding their futures against all odds.”
Alevtina Nepomniachtchikh, CEO of Phoenix Space CIO, added, “Our mission is to transform the daunting challenges of displacement into pathways for hope and self-sufficiency. Partnering with Alison amplifies our reach and impact, bringing world-class digital learning to the hearts of refugee communities. Education is not a privilege, it’s a lifeline.”
Expanding refugee education through innovative online learning
Looking forward, Alison is committed to expanding this mission, forging new partnerships, and enhancing multilingual access to ensure education knows no borders. By continually innovating and scaling interventions, Alison aims to rewrite the narratives for displaced learners globally, lighting pathways toward resilience and hope.
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About Phoenix Space CIO:
Phoenix Space CIO is a registered UK charity ( 1206724 ) dedicated to enhancing the prospects of displaced and marginalised children and youth globally by equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society and face the challenges of tomorrow. We provide equitable access to cutting-edge STEM education, digital upskilling, work experience, English proficiency courses, scholarship aid, mentorships, and climate resilience education, both virtually and in person, to enhance our beneficiaries’ employability and resilience.
Recognising the unprecedented scale of global humanitarian crises, with refugee numbers having doubled over the past decade and children comprising nearly 40% of displaced populations, Phoenix Space is committed to advancing sustainable, long-term solutions rather than short-term relief. Through education, skills development, and access to opportunity, the organisation seeks to empower young people not only to continue their learning but to become innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers capable of shaping resilient and sustainable futures for themselves and their communities.
This commitment to sustainable humanitarian impact, combined with cutting-edge educational methodologies, positions Phoenix Space as a pioneering force in crisis education and empowerment.
About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered Learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively — at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workforce Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing, English Language Proficiency, Numeracy, Verbal and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App.
In 2025, Alison is launching a Global Recruitment Service to connect employers directly with skilled, motivated Learners. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with full Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
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Media Contact
If you would like to learn more about this Press Release, or Alison, please contact the Alison Media Team at [email protected]
