SPEC Webinar 7 - Seeking Economic Inclusion for Refugees: A Case Study of the Graduation Approach in Ecuador

Transcription

1 SPEC Webinar Series on Linking Social Protection to Sustainable Employment SPEC Webinar 7 - Seeking Economic Inclusion for Refugees: A Case Study of the Graduation Approach in Ecuador presented by supported by Social'Protection'for' Employment'Community S''P''E''C

2 SPEC Webinar 7 - Seeking Economic Inclusion for Refugees: A Case Study of the Graduation Approach in Ecuador Presenters: Alexi T. Bernagros, Trickle Up Sabrina Lustgarten, HIAS Ecuador Maria Alicia Eguiguren, UNHCR Ecuador Discussants: Prof. Rachel Sabates-Wheeler, Institute of Development Studies University of Sussex James Canonge, Social Protection Department ILO Moderator: Ziad Ayoubi, UNHCR

3 SPEC Webinar 7 - Seeking Economic Inclusion for Refugees: A Case Study of the Graduation Approach in Ecuador Presenters Alexi T. Bernagros Director of Technical Assistance, Trickle Up Sabrina Lustgarten National Director, HIAS Ecuador Maria Alicia Eguiguren Durable Solutions Officer, UNHCR Ecuador

4 SPEC Webinar 7 - Seeking Economic Inclusion for Refugees: A Case Study of the Graduation Approach in Ecuador Discussants Prof. Rachel Sabates-Wheeler Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies University of Sussex James Canonge Social Protection Policy Officer, Social Protection Department ILO

5 SPEC Webinar 7 - Seeking Economic Inclusion for Refugees: A Case Study of the Graduation Approach in Ecuador Moderator Ziad Ayoubi Senior Livelihood Officer, UNHCR

6 Submit your questions to the panelists Simply type them in the

7 Seeking Economic Inclusion for Refugees: A Case Study of the Graduation Approach in Ecuador

8 UNHCR s Approach to Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion for Refugees

9 UNHCR s Approach to Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion for Refugees Inclusiveness helps with Avoiding creating parallel systems. Attracting additional development funding to reinforce national systems. Ensuring consistency in the level of services offered to nationals and non-nationals. Reducing risks of social issues caused by exclusion (poverty, delinquency, radicalism, negative livelihoods strategies, etc.). Bringing diversity and richness to many areas such as economy, culture, education, sports, and art. Achieving economy of scale Complying with human rights conventions.

10 UNHCR s Approach to Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion for Refugees Why Graduation for Refugees Increasing number of refugees; increasing length and number of protracted refugee situations; decreasing funding Need for sustainable livelihoods and economic inclusion approaches increase self-reliance and decrease reliance on UNHCR funding A Graduation lens helps to sequence existing interventions so the poorest refugees receive the appropriate support at the appropriate point in their development UNHCR already offers many components of the Graduation Approach (e.g. case management, cash transfer, skills development, self/wage employment initiatives) The objective is to provide evidence and success models to Governments and development actors to enhance the inclusion of refugees in poverty alleviation and development efforts such as the Graduation Approach.

11 Adapting Graduation for Refugees Trickle Up Founded in 1979 New York, Burkina Faso, India, Central America Economic development with strong focus on families facing multiple levels of exclusion: People with disabilities Indigenous populations Scheduled castes Refugees Scaling graduation with government and institutional partners: Municipal & National governments in Latin America State governments in India World Bank in West Africa UNHCR

12 Adapting Graduation for Refugees Graduation Approach A sequenced and timebound intervention that aims to help people living in extreme poverty build resilience and engage in sustainable livelihoods

13 Graduation Adaptations Worldwide BRAC Bangladesh (1) Since 2002 CGAP-Ford Foundation Pilots (10) NGO-implemented (30) Since 2010 Donor-implemented (10+) Since 2013 Government-implemented (30+) Since 2013

14 Adapting Graduation for Refugees LATIN AMERICA: Ecuador (2,775 participants). Graduation lens integrated into intake procedures: Less poor, Graduation participants, Extremely vulnerable. Scaled Graduation nationally. Piloting with government social protection Costa Rica (617 participants). Challenge finding sufficient numbers of poor refugees UNHCR Countries AFRICA Urban setting: Egypt (3,652 participants, mostly Syrians and other African nationals). One of the largest refugee populations globally. Largely in urban settings protracted and emergency Rural camp settings: Zambia (targeting 250 in two resettlement camps: mostly DR Congolese and Burundians) Zimbabwe (anticipated target: 150 in one camp: DR Congolese and Burundians) Mozambique (anticipated target: 100 in one camp DR Congolese and Burundians; 50 Mozambicans) Sudan (anticipated target: 300 in one camp) Malawi: 1 st Design Mission completed May 2018 Burkina Faso (297 participants: Malian). Built upon two existing value chain projects. Added coaching and savings components

15 Graduation for Refugees Graduation Components Self Wage 7 Technical Skills Training 8 Livelihood Asset Job Support 6 Livelihoods Roadmap 5 Core Capacity Building 4 Consumption Support 3 Network Engagement 2 1 Savings Coaching Start Midway End

16 Adapting Graduation for Refugees Key Results from Adapting the Graduation Approach for Refugees In Ecuador, the average household per capita income increased to US $86.09 in 2017 from US $66.31 in Participant households access to formal financial institutions increased by 95% in Ecuador. Out of 3,200 participants served by UNHCR Egypt, over 700 participants had their own business after the program s end and 636 participants found jobs. The average income earned per participant per month increased by an estimated 18% in Cairo and 27% in Alexandria (Egypt).

17 HIAS Founded in 1881, HIAS is a Jewish global nonprofit organization that protects refugees whose lives are in danger. HIAS works to increase resilience of refugees in Latin America, Africa, Middle East, Eurasia and the US. We supported over 100,000 refugees in 2017 alone. OUR THREE CORE AREAS OF PROGRAMMING Legal Assistance Psychosocial Care and Mental Health Livelihoods and Economic Development

18 HIAS in Ecuador San Lorenzo Tulcán Esmeraldas Ibarra Quito (3 Offices) Lago Agrio Santo Domingo Cuenca Guayaquil 60,524 recognized refugees (87.5% Colombian) 226,185 asylum seekers from 1989 to new PNIP monthly

19 Case Management Model LIVELIHOODS ORIENTATION AND COACHING REGULAR COACHING: MENTOR COMMUNITY RESOURCE STAFF GMA PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT LEGAL ORIENTATION SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

20 Implementers Pilot GMA Project - Santo Domingo HIAS: Coaching, livelihoods selection, skills training WFP: Consumption support, nutrition training CRISFE and Banco Pichincha: Savings UNHCR/ Trickle Up: Technical assistance 200 households were selected as participant households in households completed the pilot in out of 135 households successfully graduated 72% Graduation Rate

21 Lessons Learned Higher average household monthly income Improved perception of food security Investment in household assets Improved self-esteem as a result of community engagement Few opportunities for formal wage employment Prevalence of SGBV

22 GMA National Implementation - April 2016 NATIONAL ROLL-OUT MEETINGS: UNHCR HIAS- WFP Development of tools Standardization of criteria Analysis of achievements and challenges Main topics: Food security Access to financial services Protection Staff capacity Advocacy

23 Scale Up Improved targeting (HIAS Database System and Targeting Criteria) Single parent or caregiver Young heads of households (18-25 years old) Families with pregnant teenagers Families whose members have specific needs: disabilities, serious medical conditions, psychiatric cases, survivors of violence or torture Large families (3 or more children for every adult with the ability to work) Vulnerable families (less than 20 points in the LII) Improved knowledge and skills of case workers and livelihoods staff Improved community outreach to address the most vulnerable

24 Scale Up Need for increased advocacy with private institutions Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy for the implementation of Shared Value initiatives that promote labour inclusion of refugees with qualified profiles. Profile Scan- Certified Vocational Training Protection: Wage employment gives refugees income stability and access to social security Financial training: Implemented with support of Banco del Pichincha s subsidiary foundation

25 Scale Up HIAS GUIDE FOR ENTREPRENEUSHIPS Savings accounts: access to financial services and improved management of household and/or business budget. Seed capital to develop entrepreneurship initiatives. Profile Scan Market Analysis Certified Vocational Training Entrepreneurship School Sustainable Initiatives

26 Challenges in the National Scale Up Documentation Discrimination National economic context Local regulations for businesses Access to services: health, education, financial services Savings culture Need for women s economic empowerment and integration of SGBV response

27 Lessons Learned GRADUATION CRITERIA TRAFFIC LIGHT Refugee-centered design The use of family agreements MONITORING AGENDA Importance of psychosocial support and comprehensive work of all areas Work with private institutions Clear messages transmitted to families

28 Graduation Criteria Graduation Goal Graduation Criteria 1. Food security Consumes 3 (nutritious) meals per day for (6) months 2. Increased income Income is 86 USD per capita for (6) months 3. Savings Saves 5% of income per month for (6) months 4. Access to networks and services Actively participates in networks that support their livelihoods 5. Non-Mandatory Has legal documentation (Refugee status) Knows his/her rights, processes and institutions, in particular for child protection and access to education

29 Case Study- Graduated Family Eva M. 5 members Family. Arrived in Quito in September Asylum seekers Initial conditions 2016 Large family living in a small room (3 children, Eva and her brother) Moved several times due to discrimination and problems with landlords Not able to meet basic needs Experience as a pet groomer but could not access wage employment Discrimination/xenophobia Children did not attend school Only worked 2 days a week and earned $30 SVT case: need of psychosocial support GMA Current situation 2018 Sustainable livelihoods: Successful pet grooming business. Family eats 3 times a day Children go to school Has bank account and saves more than 10% of monthly income Family overcame health shock with savings Emotional wellbeing improved Family participates in community groups and activities

30 GMA with the Ecuadorian Government Ecuador s national social safety net includes a cash aid programme: Plan de Acompañamiento Familiar Ministry of Social and Economic Inclusion. UNHCR s Strategic Directions: Support States and host communities, to encourage the inclusion of refugees in national services and economies. Reduce refugee dependency on aid, enabling the progressive realization of their rights and durable solutions.

31 GMA with the Ecuadorian Government MIES, UNHCR and HIAS are working to include refugees into the PAF/MIES through a pilot that includes best practices from both programmes. 250 Ecuadorian and refugee families living on the Northern Border. Transfer the Graduation Approach to the PAF and ensure refugee access to Ecuador s social service programmes.

32 Project Components Selfemployment Wage employment Training Livelihood Assets Financial Services and Savings Livelihoods Roadmap References to services (Health, education, ID, Justice and Rights, Family Dynamics) Family responsibilities Family Visits Market Analysis and Partnerships Start Consumption Support Bono Variable 12 months End 18 months

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36 Thank you for joining the webinar SPEC Webinar 7 - Seeking Economic Inclusion for Refugees: A Case Study of the Graduation Approach in Ecuador