Refugee Economies Programme

Supporting the economic inclusion of refugees

 The Refugee Economies Programme undertakes research on the economic lives of refugees.

Through primary data collection, it explores the conditions under which refugees can become self-sufficient and make positive economic contributions to their host states and societies. The Programme’s research is interdisciplinary, combining economics, anthropology, history, and political science. It is collecting original qualitative and quantitative data, and often draws upon a range of participatory methods, including working with refugee researchers. It aims to be policy-relevant but not policy-driven, and collaborates with governments, international organisations, NGOs, refugee-led organisations, universities, and businesses.

"Refugees often have skills, talents, and aspirations. And yet too often we focus just on their vulnerabilities rather than their capacities. Our research challenges the view that refugees are an inevitable burden, identifying the conditions under they can help themselves and contribute to their host societies."
Alexander Betts
Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs

THE PROGRAMME’S WORK HAS THREE COMPLEMENTARY PILLARS:

Collectively, these represent the questions that need to be answered in order to effect policy change.

1. Economic Outcomes

What explains variation in economic outcomes for refugees and their impact on host states?

2. Innovative Practices

What innovative approaches have been tried and with what consequences?

3. Political Economy

What shapes national and local policies on economic inclusion?

PANEL DATA

The centrepiece of the Programme’s research is the collection of an original panel data set, based on multi-country and time series data collection. With an initial focus on Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and covering 2017-2020, the dataset covers urban and rural areas, refugees and hosts, and includes multiple data collection periods.

PARTNERS

The Programme’s partners include the IKEA Foundation, Stephanie and Hunter Hunt, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RefugePoint, the World Food Programme, UNHCR, Deloitte, and YARID.

 

The Refugee Economies Programme was formerly known as the Humanitarian Innovation Project.

To find out more about the Programme, take a look at the website www.refugee-economies.org