Networks and mobility as tools for solutions to protracted displacement

Contribution by the TRAFIG project consortium to the Virtual Space of the 2021 High-Level Officials Meeting and the Digital Platform for the Global Compact on Refugees

An increasing number of refugees – 16 million in 2020, or 4 million more than in 2016 – find themselves in long-term situations of vulnerability, dependency and legal insecurity, in which they lack, or are actively denied, opportunities to rebuild their lives after displacement. With current policies struggling to find solutions to such protracted displacement situations, TRAFIG is working to identify solutions that are better tailored to the needs and capacities of displaced persons. With a special focus on networks and mobility, TRAFIG’s research supports Objective 2 (Enhance refugee self-reliance) and Objective 3 (Expand access to third country solutions) of the Global Compact on Refugees.

Based on more than 2,800 interviews in 10 countries in the Middle East, East Africa and Europe, TRAFIG findings illustrate that a paradigm shift is needed: Approaches should shift from a state-centred approach to one that centres on refugees' and internally displaced persons' (IDPs) social resources, practices and skills. Policies should acknowledge displaced persons’ networks and mobility across multiple places and countries as part of the solution to protracted displacement, and should enable displaced people to make use of their capacities and networks (see TRAFIG practice note no. 1).

TRAFIG findings that support Objective 2: Enhance refugee self-reliance

Displaced people engage in creating and finding solutions on their own and build on multiple local and international social networks in doing so. TRAFIG practice note no. 4 explains how internally displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo rely upon networks of trust, support and solidarity in the city of Bukavu while often also maintaining relations with their home community. Sustainable pathways out of protracted displacement are frequently linked to local and translocal networks—and the quality of these networks is important for unlocking opportunities.

A secure legal status and access to rights, including mobility, are precursors to achieving self-reliance. Against the background of recent developments prompting new displacements from Afghanistan on top of more than four decades of displacement, TRAFIG practice note no. 7 makes a case for a change in the government of Pakistan’s policies towards Afghans to better address new and persisting challenges.

Most displaced persons live outside of camps, in cities and rural areas, and are trying to sustain a living outside of protection and humanitarian aid systems. TRAFIG practice note no. 6 explains how bolstering support for out-of-camp Syrians in Jordan increases their self-reliance and de-facto integration.

Strong local networks enable refugees to move out of camps, secure livelihoods and broaden future opportunities. TRAFIG practice note no. 8 illustrates how local connections can unlock local solutions in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Meanwhile, TRAFIG practice note no. 5 highlights the importance of strong relationships between refugees and receiving communities in supporting self-reliance and local integration in the Tigray and Afar regions of Ethiopia.

Promoting entrepreneurship is part of a multi-pronged livelihood strategy, in which connectivity plays a critical role. TRAFIG policy brief no. 4 shares how refugees in Ethiopia and Tanzania are networking to create livelihood opportunities through entrepreneurship and puts forth ideas for those seeking to scale up refugee entrepreneurship.

Mobility can be a pathway to a solution if it is accompanied by rights. TRAFIG policy brief no. 5 examines how and why Afghan and Syrian refugees in Pakistan and Jordan, respectively, are moving after their initial displacement and suggests how policymakers and partners can help Afghans and Syrians to tap into outward mobility to improve their upward mobility.

TRAFIG findings that support Objective 3: Expand access to third-country solutions

Expanding skills-, education- and family-based opportunities (‘complementary pathways’) can help more refugees to make use of their skills and networks to find a solution in another country. TRAFIG policy brief no. 3 discusses the importance of networks and mobility for expanding complementary pathways to protection. It argues that facilitating movement based on refugees’ human and social capital could become the key added value of complementary pathways.

Expanding community sponsorship can leverage more networks for refugee mobility and integration. This TRAFIG commentary explains how community sponsorship can become an effective tool to strengthen and leverage refugees’ networks to foster mobility and integration via resettlement and complementary pathways. The example of Humanitarian Admission Programmes in Germany also shows that refugee protection via safe and secure pathways can successfully build on refugees’ own networks and elements of community sponsorship.

TRAFIG findings on the Programme of Action

Imposing durable solutions top-down has never been particularly successful. TRAFIG practice note no. 2 reviews the history of efforts to address protracted displacement and highlights key lessons learned, including the importance of bottom-up solutions that acknowledge displaced persons’ own perspectives and priorities, as well as mobility and connectivity as resources rather than constraints.

Closing refugee protection gaps requires closer collaboration and coordination among stakeholders, a long-term development-oriented approach and sincere recognition of displaced people’s rights and mobility needs. TRAFIG practice note no. 3 analyses the different regimes of displacement governance and stresses that granting refugees rights allows them to contribute to their new communities and help them overcome protracted displacement.

Authors: Caitlin Katsiaficas (ICMPD), Martin Wagner (ICMPD), Elvan Isikozlu (BICC), Benjamin Etzold (BICC)

You can download the PDF version here.

In 2019, ICMPD, BICC and DIGNITY KWANZA committed themselves to contribute to the Global Compact on Refugees' objectives with a pledge. Our pledge "To contribute to evidence-based discussions on complementary pathways through research and analysis" can be found in the compacts' dashboard.

Abstract: The overarching goal of this pledge is to identify complementary pathways through employment of refugees as a third country solution. ICMPD developed sound evidence based research frameworks during 2018-2019, which will serve as the basis for the implementation phase proposed. Based on this research, actions will be developed, piloted and policy recommendations defined together with stakeholders in selected major host countries and potential European receiving countries, aimed at promotion and implementation of employment complementary pathways for admission of refugees in third countries. The first priority seeks to identify employment opportunities in receiving countries of the EU from major refugee host countries based on the skills and qualifications of people in need of international protection matched with the labour market needs of the destination countries. The second priority seeks to examine how mobility (family, labour, etc) and transnational networks (social and economic ties at different places) can add to the limited solutions for refugees. Both priorities involve stakeholders from the public and private sector to develop feasible and concrete policy recommendations. 2020 will be used to bring the research into practice thereby involving a broad range of international, national, governmental and non-governmental actors.