question
Q. How can a community-based initiative, project, or organisation receive support from UNHCR, and what does the process entail?
You may potentially receive support from UNHCR if you set up a community-based initiative, project, or organisation. UNHCR often partners with national organisations and sometimes supports projects that are driven by refugees themselves.
However, the availability of funding and the process to access it can vary greatly depending on the specific country and context. It would likely involve preparing a detailed proposal for your initiative and demonstrating how it aligns with UNHCR's objectives and the needs of your community.
Keep in mind that competition for funding can be high, and UNHCR may have specific criteria and guidelines that your initiative must meet in order to be considered for funding. It's also worth noting that UNHCR might offer support in forms other than direct funding, such as training, materials, or other resources.
Therefore, it would be best to directly contact the UNHCR office in your location to inquire about potential funding opportunities and the relevant processes involved. They can provide the most accurate and context-specific advice.
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Beyond ExCom: Advancing Inclusive Governance in the Global Refugee Regime
The current setup of the UNHCR Executive Committee (ExCom), mandated by the UN General Assembly, permits member states to oversee policy formation and budget allocation within the global refugee regime. This process, however, notably lacks direct representation and input from the very communities it affects, pointing to a gap in how decisions are made and who gets to make them.
This is particularly evident when it comes to the distribution of support and resources. Community-based organisations (CBOs), which are intimately connected to the needs and aspirations of refugees, often find themselves on the outside looking in. The rigorous eligibility criteria set for funding and partnership opportunities—while designed to ensure accountability and capability—effectively lock out CBOs. These organizations are unable to meet requirements such as legal registration, financial control mechanisms, demonstrated expertise, and audited accounts, which are standard prerequisites for becoming an implementing partner with UNHCR.
The result is a disconnect: on one hand, there's the untapped potential of CBOs to make significant contributions; on the other, there are the bureaucratic barriers that prevent them from accessing resources and having a seat at the decision-making table.
Questions:
- How many community-based organizations led by affected communities have been denied partnerships with UNHCR due to stringent eligibility requirements?
- What specific roles do refugees play in the Advisory Board, and how does their input influence policy and operational decisions?
- How are the small-scale grants and the Refugee-led Innovation Fund evaluated for their impact on empowering refugees, and what measures are in place to ensure these initiatives lead to sustainable change?
- Can UNHCR provide case studies or examples where the participation of refugees directly resulted in a change of policy or practice?
- What mechanisms are in place to ensure the views and needs of refugees are adequately represented and considered in the ExCom sessions?
- How does UNHCR plan to address bureaucratic and systemic barriers that prevent effective refugee participation in governance?
- Are there efforts to revise the eligibility requirements for community-based organisations (CBOs) so that they can participate more fully in planning and implementation?
- What steps is UNHCR taking to reduce information asymmetry and make the decision-making process more transparent and accessible to refugees?
- How are success and participation measured in these initiatives, and are these metrics developed with input from the refugee communities themselves?
