ABOUT US
What do we fund?
We fund young asylum seekers or young people with limited leave through higher education in the UK who are not entitled to student finance and cannot otherwise afford the costs of higher education.
Why do we fund this?
We fund this group of young people because their immigration status does not allow them to secure student finance and therefore does not allow them to access and progress in higher education, despite legally being allowed to live in the UK.
Fundamentally, we see access to higher education as a human right, set out by Article 26 of the Declaration of Human Rights. We wish to support this right:
1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
How do we know this is a high priority need?
Without access to higher education, young asylum seekers and young people with limited leave often feel unable to move on with their lives due to the fact that they do not have the opportunity to achieve their full potential both in higher education and future employment. They feel disenchanted in life as a result. We believe education can open doors for these young people. It can create leaders of the future and inspire new generations. One of the ways our grants can do this is by breaking the cycle of poverty, allowing young people to enter the job market, become financially independent and give back to society.
Our commitment to this area of funding is supported by ongoing research into the educational needs of young asylum seekers and young people with limited leave. This involves regularly consulting multiple partners and young people themselves to identify needs and to find ways to meet these needs.
Introducing you to the TIKO Foundation Team
You can find out more about the trustees who set up TIKO Foundation and our Grants Manager on the tabs to the left of this pag e.