Worldspan, the UK-based professional conference organiser, has won a top social impact award for a project that has helped almost 7,000 refugees towards employment.
Project Sunflower began as an urgent request from recruitment platform Indeed, which asked Worldspan to deliver two job fairs in Poland within just eight weeks in response to the war in Ukraine. What started as a rapid crisis response quickly escalated into a six-city hiring initiative across Paris, Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Milan and Dublin.
Now Worldspan has been honoured with the Project Management Institute (PMI) Social Impact Award 2025 at the PMI Awards 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona, attended by MD Sophie Morris, alongside Indeed. Project Sunflower was also named as one of three finalists for the PMI Project of the Year out of more than 200 global entries.
The Project Sunflower events placed candidates at the heart of every decision, offering face-to-face interviews, immediate job offers, CV and career coaching, translators, childcare, wellbeing support, and fully inclusive, accessible venues.
Across the six events:
*6,939 refugees attended, with 4,274 interviews conducted
*426 immediate job offers were made
*More than 1,100 CVs were written on-site
*More than 240 employers participated
Worldspan delivered events across multiple locations, combining a decentralised local team structure with a central PMO, ensuring precision, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity.
Sophie Morris said: "Receiving the PMI Social Impact Award for Project Sunflower is an incredible honour. Our team approached this initiative not just as events, but as opportunities to change lives. Working alongside Indeed, NGOs, and local partners, we were able to combine meticulous planning with compassion and creativity to make a real impact for thousands of refugees."
A spokesperson for the PMI said: "Project Sunflower is a beautiful illustration of how purpose-driven project management can shape the future at scale. At PMI, we love seeing our profession and principles leveraged to create meaningful impact around the world, and we are thrilled to champion the work of Worldspan, Indeed, and this truly inspiring initiative. Project Sunflower demonstrates the agility, adaptability, and rigor that project professionals bring to solving real-world challenges."
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
