Welcome Notes BiH
In collaboration with Caritas BiH, we are bringing music and creativity to refugee camps and centers across Bosnia and Herzegovina. This initiative focuses on offering inclusive music workshops that engage children, youth, families, and vulnerable adults, providing them with a much-needed space for expression, connection, and healing.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the last countries on the Balkan route allowing refugees to pass, has become a critical entry point for those fleeing conflict and crisis in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. With the country’s borders so close to the EU, it has become a de facto “final stop” for many refugees who are often exhausted and traumatized. In response to this urgent need, Welcome Notes offers a vital lifeline through music—helping to rebuild lives in the face of crisis.

Two decades ago, Musicians Without Borders’ Music Bus program brought music to vulnerable children living in divided communities and refugee settlements in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today, we return to Bosnia and Herzegovina, using our past experience and local partnerships to support today’s refugees. Our music teams lead workshops that allow participants to explore instruments, join drumming circles, sing, dance, and write their own songs. These creative sessions provide a much-needed break from the hardships of displacement, offering joy, relief, and a chance to heal.

Given the constant movement of refugees between temporary shelters, Welcome Notes has assembled three flexible music teams that can rapidly deploy to wherever they are needed most. Our teams are active in reception centers such as Usivak, Blazuj, Borici, and Tuzla, responding quickly to the changing dynamics of refugee flows. These teams are not just delivering music; they are delivering hope, connection, and a sense of agency to communities on the move.

Welcome Notes NL
In the Netherlands, we bring music to children, youth, adults and families in emergency reception centers. These centers are overcrowded and under-resourced due to chronic underfunding and overly complicated procedures. Musicians Without Borders-trained music leaders offer moments of joy and connection for children and their families, helping them cope with uncertainty and trauma while waiting for their next steps. Music becomes a bridge, allowing people to find comfort, express themselves, and feel a sense of community even in the most challenging circumstances.

Rap Projects: Giving Refugee Youth a Voice
Musicians Without Borders has piloted rap projects that empower unaccompanied minors to express their dreams, struggles, and hopes for the future. Co-created rap songs provide a powerful outlet for self-expression, allowing these young people to take control of their narrative and share their stories. 

Music Leadership Training

Through academic and community partnerships we run training courses for practitioners in music leadership with refugee and migrant groups.