London, June 2026 — Layla Ayoub Agha has been named among the Top 30 finalists in the 2026 No Place Like Home Art and Poetry Competition, a UNHCR-supported initiative delivered by the Sanctuary Foundation and celebrated at the British Library during Refugee Week.
The competition attracted thousands of entries from young people around the world, inviting participants to explore themes of home, belonging, identity, displacement, and hope through art and poetry. From these submissions, only 30 finalists were selected for recognition and exhibition, with their work celebrated at a special ceremony held at the British Library in London on 15 June 2026.
Founded by Dr. Krish Kandiah OBE, the Sanctuary Foundation is a leading organisation supporting refugees and promoting community sponsorship and integration initiatives across the United Kingdom. Through the No Place Like Home competition, young people are encouraged to engage creatively with the experiences of refugees and displaced communities while fostering empathy, understanding, and hope.
Layla was recognised for her poetry, which reflected on the meaning of home, identity, resilience, and belonging. Her selection places her among a distinguished group of young writers and artists whose work was chosen for its creativity, originality, and emotional impact.
The competition was judged by a distinguished panel that included Suad Aldarra, a Syrian-Irish journalist, author, and refugee advocate. During the ceremony at the British Library, Layla received her award from Maeve Patterson, Senior External Relations Officer at UNHCR UK.
For Layla, a Syrian-British student living in the United Kingdom, the recognition is a testament to the power of young voices and the role of creativity in promoting understanding, empathy, and dialogue across cultures and communities.
“We are incredibly proud of Layla’s achievement,” said Abdul Karim Ayoub Agha, Layla’s father. “To be selected among the Top 30 finalists from thousands of entries worldwide is a remarkable honour. The themes explored by this competition are universal and resonate with people from all backgrounds. It is inspiring to see young people using poetry and creativity to promote understanding, empathy, and hope.”
The finalists were honoured at a special event at the British Library, bringing together young people, educators, community leaders, artists, and refugee advocates in celebration of creativity, resilience, and the universal meaning of home.
