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Lasse Leponiemi

Chairman, The HundrED Foundation
first.last@hundred.org

Music for Hope (M4H)

Helping hidden communities be seen and heard through musical education

In a refugee camp where voice, choice and agency are undermined by displacement and crisis, we empower vulnerable musicians to create pathways for creative learning, prospects and hope among refugee children and school communities. In the face of uncertainty we wield peaceful music education, disrupt camp normality, and replace refugee stigma with collaboration, celebration and compassion.

Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated December 2025
Web presence

2024

Established

1

Countries
Community
Target group
Harnessing music to strengthen harmony, joy and hope in and beyond the classroom and create safe spaces for learning, inspiration and creative expression among the most vulnerable in society.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

The innovation offers a distinct approach to peace education and social justice by:
• Offering a break in normalcy where life in the camp is about fetching water, bread. The disruption has not only affected students – parents joining concerts were uplifted in terms of their expectations on the value of music as a craft and a skill to be taught in schools
• Harnessing music to strengthen peace, harmony and hope in and beyond the classroom.
• Creating safe spaces for victims of war and displacements to engage in collaborative learning, creative expression and cultural preservation
• Shifting the role musicians play in society, community and family as earners
• Elevating social and learning value attributed to music concerts, music practice and music education
• A social mobility pathway for vulnerable refugee artists with more equitable opportunities for progress, skills development and career prospects and increased agency and voice
• We bring together people and musicians from across the globe who care about the wellbeing of others to reshape humanitarian narratives

What does your innovation look like in practice?

Music for Hope program is an arts-based education initiative implemented in Zaatari Camp, designed to enhance student well-being, develop musical competencies, and build local teaching capacity. Targeting Syrian refugee children and musicians, the program integrates structured classroom instruction, teacher training, community engagement, and scholarship pathways. During the January–June 2025 reporting period (Year 2, Semester 2), the program continued its implementation across two primary schools, in partnership with Madrasati, Questscope, and international music educators.

How has it been spreading?

The program has so far benefited students, musicians and communities in Zaatari camp. In cooperation with Vienna Boys Choir, Jordan's Ministry of Education, Vienna Boys Choir and interested donors, partners and artists we are planning to adapt and scale the music education model to other contexts and share the achievements and voices of the children who participated in this novel initiative.

How have you modified or added to your innovation?

N/A

If I want to try it, what should I do?

If you are an education service provider, a humanitarian in the education in emergencies sector, or an artist with a flare for creativity and an urge to give back to others, reach out to Madrasati Initiative for more details. We can help you support more communities of musicians and learners in need of music education and learning opportunities in more joyous environments. We can also help you apply our programme in other crisis contexts and approach global sponsors to initiative a collaborative partnership where musicians and choirs from across the globe collaborate with musicians in challenging contexts to inspire hope for children and help them be seen and heard.

Implementation steps

Music for Hope
1. Identify the target group, secure global partnerships for funding and support, and coordinate with local authorities
2. Contextualize the training materials and programme
3. Training of musicians/artists with cultural exchange
4. Delivery of music/art classes to students
5. Community mobilization and celebration of creative achievement
6. Further partnerships with local institutions for pathways support and recognition of learning and skills

Spread of the innovation

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