Janina Peter is the founder of Bridging Gaps, an award-winning, refugee-led nonprofit that empowers marginalized communities across the global south through interest-free, pay-it-forward microloans and social entrepreneurship education. Bridging Gaps connects local changemakers with global supporters and is currently expanding its work through digital solutions - including multilingual, offline-first training and community-driven innovation models.

Janina is the former Head of Innovation at the World Food Forum (FAO) and has worked with the UN World Food Programme, GIZ, The Hunger Project, and Thought For Food, leading initiatives at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and food systems. She holds degrees in Development Economics, Business Administration, and Social Innovation Management, and is a fellow of the Amani Institute.

Her work with Bridging Gaps has been recognized by the UNHCR Refugee-led Innovation Fund, YY Ventures, and the German Brand Award, and she is passionate about building bridges between communities, technology, and meaningful change.

Topic:  Co-Creating with AI: Scaling Refugee-Led Innovation for Real-World Impact

This session will provide a virtual look into the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in Uganda, where participants will hear directly from community members about the challenges they face in pursuing entrepreneurship and economic development.

Building on these real-world experiences, the session will include interactive group work using AI tools to generate potential approaches for supporting refugee-led businesses. Examples from organizations including Bridging Gaps, UNHCR, and Tech To The Rescue will highlight current uses of AI in refugee settings.