How do organizations like the IKEA Foundation and U.S. Department of State approach refugee self-reliance?

The IKEA Foundation focuses on creating better lives and a livable planet by supporting sustainable livelihoods, employment, and climate action. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration prioritizes support for solutions for forcibly displaced people, viewing self-reliance as foundational to improving well-being and dignity, and advocating for this approach in international policy.

What are successful examples of cross-sectoral partnerships for refugee self-reliance?

Successful collaborations include initiatives like the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, co-led by Refuge Point and the Women's Refugee Commission, which convenes diverse stakeholders. The development of the Self-Reliance Index is a prime example of this collaborative effort, supported by various funders, to improve programs and build evidence.

What role does upskilling and reskilling play in refugee self-reliance?

Upskilling and reskilling are vital for refugees to adapt to new contexts and market demands. This involves not only providing technical training but also ensuring it's market-based, linked to employment pathways, and complemented by support for foundational needs like education and healthcare. Reskilling is also important as prior skills may not be relevant in a new environment.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected refugee self-reliance efforts?

The pandemic disproportionately impacted refugees economically due to their concentration in vulnerable sectors and informal employment. It also highlighted the digital divide but accelerated the adoption of digital skills and remote work. While presenting challenges, it also spurred innovation in programming and highlighted the need for stronger social safety nets and future-proofing against shocks.

What are the challenges for refugees starting their own businesses?

Refugees with entrepreneurial ideas often face substantial barriers, including overlooked initiatives by funders and difficulty accessing startup capital or investment. Organizations like Refuge Point work to address this by engaging directly with refugee-led organizations to understand their needs, facilitating connections with funders, and providing support in areas like finance and organizational infrastructure.

How can refugees' skills be validated and transferred to new countries?

Validating and transferring skills across borders involves more than just certification; it's deeply connected to the rights of refugees. This requires advocacy for equal treatment, access to finance, and government engagement to recognize prior qualifications, enabling refugees to work at their skill level and contribute to their new communities, as seen in initiatives like those in Colombia.

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Multi-sectoral collaboration is vital for refugee self-reliance, addressing diverse needs beyond immediate aid.

Key Insights

Refugee self-reliance involves empowering individuals and communities to meet essential needs sustainably, moving beyond dependence on humanitarian aid.

The global displacement crisis requires innovative approaches as traditional solutions are outpaced, with most refugees remaining displaced long-term.

Self-reliance is recognized globally as a key solution, aligned with the Global Compact on Refugees and Sustainable Development Goals, and is often what refugees themselves desire.

Cross-sectoral partnerships are crucial for addressing the complex and interconnected needs of refugees, bringing together development, humanitarian, governmental, and private sector actors.

Upskilling and reskilling are essential, but must be combined with market assessments, addressing legal/bureaucratic barriers, and considering broader household needs like healthcare and childcare.

Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the digital divide and exacerbated economic hardships for refugees, necessitating adaptive programming and infrastructure improvements.

Validating and transferring skills/documentation across countries is a significant challenge that requires advocacy for refugee rights and integrated solutions.

Supporting refugee-led initiatives and businesses requires investment in capital, soft skills, and financial management, facilitated by connecting them to funders.

DEFINING REFUGEE SELF-RELIANCE AND ITS IMPERATIVE

Refugee self-reliance is defined as the social and economic capacity for individuals, households, or communities to sustainably meet their essential needs. It signifies enabling refugees to support themselves and their families, reducing dependence on humanitarian aid and fostering dignity, resilience, and improved quality of life. This concept is critical given that over 100 million people are displaced globally, with many remaining displaced for decades. Traditional solutions like resettlement or return are inaccessible to the vast majority, making a shift towards self-reliance imperative for long-term well-being and integration.

ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS AND THE ROLE OF SELF-RELIANCE

Organizations like the IKEA Foundation, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), and RefugePoint embed self-reliance into their core missions. The IKEA Foundation aims for a better everyday life, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and a livable planet, viewing refugee self-reliance as a means to restore dignity. PRM, as a humanitarian donor, supports solutions for the forcibly displaced, recognizing self-reliance as foundational for success in durable solutions and immediate well-being. RefugePoint strives to shift the humanitarian response paradigm by creating more opportunities for refugees to become self-reliant and achieve better lives.

LEVERAGING CROSS-SECTORAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR INNOVATION

Effective self-reliance programming necessitates collaboration across NGO, corporate, and government sectors. Examples include the multi-stakeholder Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, which fosters knowledge exchange and collaborative action among over 40 diverse agencies. The development of the Self-Reliance Index, a tool to improve programs, exemplifies how diverse funders (government donors, philanthropic partners) and implementers collaborate. Partnerships with institutions like the World Bank, through facilities like the Global Concessional Financing Facility, are crucial for integrating refugee livelihoods into broader development agendas.

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF UPSKILLING AND MARKET ALIGNMENT

Upskilling and reskilling refugees are vital, but must align with market demands and refugee aspirations. This involves not only technical or digital skills but also addressing barriers to employment, such as legal and bureaucratic hurdles for work permits and business registration. A market-based approach, coupled with soft skills training (like CV writing and interview techniques) and consideration for essential household needs (healthcare, childcare), ensures that upskilling translates into sustainable livelihoods and economic participation.

ADAPTATION IN THE FACE OF CRISES: LESSONS FROM COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the digital divide, exacerbating economic hardships for refugees, who often work in precarious sectors. It highlighted the need for adaptive programming, such as pivoting to remote services and leveraging accessible technology like mobile phones for communication, digital marketing, and financial inclusion. While the pandemic presented significant challenges, it also accelerated the adoption of digital solutions and emphasized the importance of building resilience and ensuring equitable access to infrastructure and training to navigate future shocks.

ADDRESSING BARRIERS: DOCUMENTATION, RIGHTS, AND LOCAL INITIATIVES

Challenges remain in validating and transferring skills and documentation across borders, highlighting broader issues of refugee rights and access to finance and land. Some countries, like Colombia, have made progress in revalidating professional certifications to integrate refugees into their economies. Supporting refugee-led initiatives requires investment in capital, financial management, and capacity building, with organizations acting as facilitators to connect refugee entrepreneurs with funders. Advocacy for equitable treatment and inclusive policies is crucial for refugees to thrive and contribute fully to their host communities.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Organizations

●People Referenced

Key takeaways for fostering refugee self-reliance through multi-sectoral approaches

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Define self-reliance as the social and economic ability to meet essential needs sustainably.

Recognize that self-reliance supports refugees in taking care of themselves and their families without constant humanitarian aid.

Emphasize strengths and skills within refugee communities, not just their vulnerabilities.

Leverage cross-sectoral partnerships involving NGOs, corporations, and governments.

Implement market-based approaches for upskilling and reskilling, focusing on viable future opportunities.

Consider the broader context of family needs (healthcare, education) when designing livelihood programs.

Adapt programming to crises by embracing digital solutions and ensuring access to necessary infrastructure.

Advocate for policy changes that support refugee rights, including the right to work and skill validation.

Engage directly with refugees to understand their needs and support their own initiatives.

Focus on restoring dignity and providing security for families and communities.

Avoid This

Do not solely rely on short-term emergency aid; reorient assistance towards long-term resilience.

Do not apply a single sectoral approach; utilize individualized and layered interventions across sectors.

Do not provide skills training without linking it to practical pathways for employment.

Do not overlook the bureaucratic and legal barriers refugees face in accessing work or starting businesses.

Do not neglect the importance of data protection when implementing digital solutions.

Do not assume a one-size-fits-all approach; context-specific understanding is crucial for successful interventions.

Do not forget that refugees may need support beyond skills training, such as childcare or healthcare access.

Do not overlook the rights of refugees regarding employment, finance, and skill recognition.

Common Questions

Refugee self-reliance is the ability of individuals, households, or communities to meet their essential needs sustainably, moving beyond dependency on humanitarian aid. It's crucial because the global displacement crisis is outpacing traditional solutions, with most refugees remaining displaced for long periods, necessitating approaches that empower them to rebuild their lives, utilize their skills, and contribute to host communities.

Topics

Business & Entrepreneurship Economic Inclusion Skills Development Career & Skills Entrepreneurship Support Refugee Livelihoods Cross-sector Collaboration Crisis Adaptation

Mentioned in this video

Organizations

MIT Refugee Action Hub

One of the organizers of the Migration Summit 2022, focusing on building bridges between diverse communities for displaced learners and professionals.

Connexu

Hosted a panel at the Migration Summit exploring innovations in livelihood programming for displaced people, focusing on collaborations and impact.

UNHCR

Assisted by organizations like the U.S. Department of State in testing the graduation approach in refugee contexts to lift vulnerable populations and foster self-reliance.

African Union

A regional body that needs to be involved in making digital literacy and connectivity part of daily operations to address the digital divide.

MIT J-WEL

An organizing partner of the Migration Summit 2022, contributing to the global convening focused on education and workforce development for displaced individuals.

Trickle Up

Supported by the U.S. Department of State to test the graduation approach in refugee contexts, aiming to sustainably lift vulnerable populations out of poverty.

Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative

A collaborative effort, co-led by Refuge Point and Women's Refugee Commission, serving as a global convening space for action learning and collaboration on refugee self-reliance.

Women's Refugee Commission

Co-led the creation of the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, bringing diverse perspectives to facilitate a paradigm shift towards greater refugee self-reliance.

Namal Karam Foundation

A partner organizing the Migration Summit 2022, contributing to the global convening focused on displaced communities.

Poverty Alleviation Coalition

Has expanded the use of the graduation approach to numerous contexts, demonstrating its promise in alleviating poverty and fostering self-reliance among vulnerable populations.

Tent Partnership for Refugees

A collaboration of companies focused on refugee employment, which the IKEA Foundation is part of.

ITU

A UN agency that, along with regional bodies like the African Union, needs to integrate digital literacy into operations.

World Bank

Has stepped up in the self-reliance space, particularly with the Global Concessional Financing Facility and IDA 19 window for host communities and refugees, signifying the development sector's role.

Paper Airplanes

An organizing partner of the Migration Summit 2022, focused on initiatives for displaced learners.

IKEA Foundation

Focuses on creating a better everyday life and a livable planet by supporting sustainable livelihoods, employment, entrepreneurship, agricultural livelihoods, and climate action.

Center for Global Development

Conducted research finding that 60% of employed refugees work in sectors highly impacted by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

US Department of State

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration within this department leads work on relief and development programs, cash programming, and multilateral development bank engagement.

Refuge Point

Leads global initiatives and partnerships on refugee self-reliance, promoting opportunities for refugees worldwide to achieve greater self-reliance and quality of life.

People

Lorraine Charles

Introduced the panel and welcomed participants to the migration summit, highlighting the session's focus on innovation through collaboration.

Samar Singh

Senior Program Manager at Refuge Point, leading initiatives on refugee self-reliance and partnerships, and emphasizing the multi-stakeholder approach to promote self-reliance.

Legislation & Policy

Global Compact on Refugees

A framework recognized globally, affirming self-reliance as a key objective and serving as a critical framework for bringing diverse actors together to address refugee crises.

Software & Apps

Self-Reliance Index

A tool developed collaboratively by members of the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, helping organizations improve self-reliance programs and build an evidence base.

Companies

Used by entrepreneurs supported by Refuge Point for digital marketing via mobile phones during the pandemic restrictions to promote their products.

Locations

Colombia

The government has worked to revalidate professional certifications for Venezuelans, viewing refugee and migrant employment as a factor of development.