Funding opportunity Alert! The Fund for Women Loreal is now accepting application for funding! This fund supports grassroots non-profit organizations that support women and girls in situations of poverty/underprivileged, victims of violence, refugees, or in situations of disability. The L’Oréal Fund for Women is a charitable fund launched in 2020 to support frontline organizations in their efforts to help women to get out of poverty and prevent domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence against women. The next round of applications will be opened from April 2nd, 2025 (12pm CEST) to April 30th, 2025 (12pm CEST). If you meet the eligibility criteria, please apply now to secure funding to empower vulnerable women and girls in your communities! Apply @ https://lnkd.in/eByNujEu

Since publishing the results of our Community of Practice (CoP) Survey on U.S. Executive Actions & Refugee Self-Reliance (access it here: https://shorturl.at/W7Euw), the RSRI has curated a list of bridge funds and other funding resources to support organizations affected by the U.S. aid freeze and other executive orders that halt humanitarian work and interrupt crucial pathways to self-reliance. This list is updated weekly. Access the list of bridge funds here: https://shorturl.at/mNBPC

Be Part of #AFD2025: the largest gathering of private sector leaders addressing the challenges of displacement. As the world faces unprecedented displacement crises, the need for action-oriented conversations is more critical than ever. Join us in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28th to 29th April 2025 for the Africa Forum on Displacement 2025, where leaders from the private sector, government, and civil society will come together o address the challenges and opportunities of displacement in Africa. Don’t miss this chance to explore innovative solutions, forge impactful partnerships, and contribute to empowering displaced communities across the continent. Register today and be part of re-shaping the future of Africa’s displacement! https://registration.crowdcomms.com/afd25

Dataset of World Refugee and Asylum Policies (DWRAP) - This exciting new online platform features data from 193 countries from 1952 to 2022, allowing users to track trends over time and across geographical regions. The data also contains filters for categories such as access to protection, services, livelihoods, movement, and citizenship and participation in political processes and provides a wealth of insights and research opportunities. DWRAP was developed by Blair, Grossman and Weinstein (2022) and has been updated in collaboration with the World Bank – UNHCR Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement. https://datanalytics.worldbank.org/dwrap/

Equity Bank and IFC Partner to Launch $20 million Facility for Refugees and Host Communities in Kenya: Equity Bank Kenya, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has launched a $20 million Risk Sharing Facility (RSF) to enhance financial inclusion within underserved regions in Kenya, including refugees and host communities. This initiative aims to empower refugees and host communities to become economically stable and self-reliant making them active participants in the local economy, contributing to sustainable development and long-term prosperity. The program, unveiled in Kakuma, Turkana County will be implemented in 14 marginalized counties across Kenya, among them Turkana and Garissa which host Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps, with the goal of supporting refugees and their host communities towards social economic empowerment that ultimately lead to self-reliance.

UNHCR publishes socioeconomic profiles of Sudanese refugees, including their levels of education and skills. Country briefs provide additional insights on the socioeconomic characteristics of displacement and displaced populations in Sudan and countries of asylum, as well as summaries of recent data collection, surveys and analytical work replaced to displacement.

Ethiopia - Aisha: an inclusive financial product brings hope for host and refugee entrepreneurs: ILO and Shabelle Bank's innovative "Aisha" program provides Sharia-compliant financial solutions and education to refugees and host communities in Ethiopia, empowering entrepreneurs and fostering sustainable livelihoods. Read more here: https://www.ilo.org/resource/article/aisha-inclusive-financial-product-brings-hope-host-and-refugee

Partnership for Economic Inclusion, World Bank launched an enhanced Data Portal—your go-to resource for insights into economic inclusion programs. Now, you can explore the data behind the recent State of Economic Inclusion Report 2024: Pathways to Scale. With a brand-new searchable program database, the latest 2023 Landscape Survey data, and new country-level factsheets, finding detailed information on over 400 programs has never been easier. Whether you’re a policymaker, researcher, or practitioner, the portal offers powerful tools to inform your work and drive impact: https://www.peiglobal.org/tools-resources/data-portal?deliveryName=DM244430

The updated Education Brief presents a critical analysis of the education needs of Afghan refugees and host communities in Iran, emphasizing the need for greater international support. With millions of forcibly displaced persons in Iran, including many Afghan children, the country’s national education system is under significant strain. Overcrowded classrooms and limited school infrastructure have led to reduced enrolment capacity, particularly affecting undocumented children and girls. This Brief outlines how Iran’s inclusive policies have provided educational opportunities aligned with international human rights standards, yet more assistance is needed. It calls on donors to scale up responsibility-sharing to avoid a lost generation. Anchored in the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) and the Global Refugee Forum commitments, the Brief also details a $119.3 million appeal by seven humanitarian organizations to improve education access, quality, and life-long learning pathways. By showcasing Iran as a viable alternative for continued education, especially for Afghan girls and youth, the Brief positions education as a catalyst for resilience, co-existence, and durable solutions. It highlights how investment in education contributes to well-being, economic empowerment, and the voluntary return of refugees, while strengthening community ties between Afghans and Iranians.

UNHCR and the European Union have signed a new agreement to continue to support displaced Afghans and host communities in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and countries in Central Asia. With substantial EU funding of EUR 36 million, hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) will benefit from essential protection, access to healthcare, education, livelihood opportunities, and other basic services from 2025 to 2027.