We develop innovative and collaborative projects with creative thinkers and doers, researchers and policy makers. We work with cities, where the global meets the local and where innovative solutions have the most immediate impact. We focus on tangible outcomes and on what works in practice. We engage with future generations to change practices today and pave the way for a sustainable and inclusive tomorrow.
(un)common ground - a new podcast, hosted by Marta Foresti
10.11.2025
LAGO Collective presents (un)common ground, a podcast series on movement, borders and everything in between hosted by Marta Foresti. This series takes on new, unusual and sometimes controversial angles, building common ground where none exists.
Creating value: the creative economy beyond culture
31.07.2025
In this latest blog for the Global Creative Economy Council, newly appointed Chair, Marta Foresti writes about the potential of the creative industries on a global economic scale and the value of international collaboration.
How much is a visa to Europe worth?
10.07.2025
In this latest collaboration designer Federica Fragapane visualises the lived cost of a visa application, showing how the application fee (approx $100) translates into different realities depending on where you live. Data credit: 'Our World in Data'.
The Poetics of Visa Inequality
01.07.2025
At LAGO’s 2024 Beauty of Movement event, poet and curator Lemn Sissay gave a powerful reading, confronting the racism embedded in global visa systems. Inspired by the moment, he wrote a quatrain that captures the heart of 'All Other Passports'.
Shapes of Visa Inequality: 2025 Edition
12.06.2025
Federica Fragapane updates her visualisations on passport inequalities with the most recent data (as of December 2024) highlighting rejection rates and their costs for short-term visa applications to Europe from low and middle income countries.
Sounds of Visa Inequality: 2025 Edition
12.06.2025
In this new iteration of our sonification, data artist Tiziana Alocci makes data sing once again, using the latest rejection rates for short-term visas to Europe (as of December 2024).
Data - UK & Schengen Short-term Visa Rejection Rates: 2022-2024
19.05.2025
Project
Our latest analysis of UK and Schengen visa applications reveals the consequences of unequal visa regimes. The full dataset on rejection rates and the associated costs is available.
'Infrastructures of Migration', Prada Frames, Milan Design Week
01.05.2025
LAGO’s Founder Marta Foresti spoke at Prada Frames, an initiative at the intersection of design, culture, and society. This year’s theme was ‘In Transit’ and Marta spoke on ‘Infrastructures of Migration: Borders, Routes, and Resistances.’
Film - 'Stories of Visa Inequality'
30.01.2025
In collaboration with Oroko Radio, this short film considers how unequal visa regimes limit creative opportunities and growth in local and global arts. Shot in Kumasi and Accra, Ghana, we hear from artists about the realities of a rejected visa.
Research paper - The Creative Economy in Global Cities
20.12.2024
This paper, produced in collaboration with ODI Global, as part of our work for the Africa-Europe Mayors' Dialogue, explores the role of the creative sectors in building dynamic, urban economies and fostering inclusive growth.
The Beauty of Movement
This essay is based on a beautiful collaboration with friends and colleagues at the 'Beauty of Movement’ event during the London Migration Film Festival in November 2023.
Africans pay the price of visa denials to Europe
24.06.2024
A blog published by the Africa Centre at the London School of Economics - in our latest analysis of visa rejection rates we find that unequal visa regimes cost the world’s poorest over €100 million every year.
The Costs of Visa Inequality: 2024 Edition
05.06.2024
Dataviz
In this latest visualisation on visa inequality, designed in collaboration with Federica Fragapane, Marta Foresti and Otho Mantegazza, we uncover the very real costs of unequal visa regimes.
A Makers' journey: Freetown to Durban edition
01.06.2024
A journey of two designers from Freetown, Mumini Fashion and Mohammed Barri, to Durban Fashion Fair paving the way for talented creatives to showcase their work and highlight the incredible talents of Sierra Leone.
Europe must make it easier for Africans to get visas
02.06.2023
Article
Europe is placing insurmountable barriers in front of Africans trying to get visas to visit. Marta Foresti and Otho Mantegazza discuss how this policy is denying people opportunities and doing Europe more harm than good - published by LSE.
Creative exchange between Freetown and London fashion designers and makers in September 2022. Making connections and creating opportunities for collaboration. With ODI and LABRUM London
Africa-Europe Mayors' Dialogue
A platform of African and European mayors working together to deliver innovative and practical solutions for sustainable urban development in and between their cities.
Cities working together to improve human mobility
A blog for the London School of Economics introducing the Africa Europe Mayors' Dialogue and how mayors are collaborating to improve the lives of their residents and make their cities more welcoming.
Forthcoming - Visas of the world
Using data, digital design and storytelling we want to track the evolution of visas regimes in different countries, their costs, rules and time requirements as well as the lived experiences of those affected by them. Get in touch if interested!
Launched by Mayor Aki-Sawyerr a platform connecting Freetown based creatives with colleagues and investors in other African and European cities.
Hearts and minds
Data visualisation on how European feel and think about immigration. Based on individual and societal perceptions of immigration in different European countries, how they change over time and are shaped by dominant political and media narratives.
Keyworkers
Award-winning data visualisation on the contribution of migrant workers to teh COVID-19 response. Example sand data on reforms, initiatives and campaigns to recognise and better support the value migrant essential work.
A masterclass at Palazzo Grassi in Venice dedicated to understanding and reading data and how to create impactful and beautiful data visualisations.
This artistic documentary directed by artist Julianknxx considers what it means to be free to move, not as in leave or flee, but to move. Shot in Freetown, Sierra Leone, it explores the power and immense potential of creative sectors in the city.
Shapes of Visa Inequality: 2023 Edition
In this visualisation we explore rejection rates of short-term visas to EU countries in the Schengen area. The poorer a person’s country of origin, the more likely that their visa application will be rejected. Africans are disproportionately affected