DSP organized a virtual programmatic-focused roundtable discussion to share lessons learned from previous livelihoods programs and discuss medium-term strategies for forthcoming livelihoods programs in Jordan on Wednesday 3 June. The roundtable brought together 28 participants from 15 different agencies. The refugee response in Jordan is at a critical juncture, with humanitarian and emergency needs increasingly overlapping with traditional macroeconomic development priorities. Ensuring access to livelihoods is a critical component of supporting people to achieve their preferred durable solution to their protracted displacement.
Approaches that foster resilience and self-reliance can help mitigate harmful implications of protracted displacement, for instance by supporting skills-building, social networks and local economic development. Employment and sustainable income-generation support the social and economic empowerment of individuals and households, and ultimately enables displaced people’s choice to their preferred durable solution.
DSP presented findings from its Recent Brief, published with its three member organizations, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), including on the positive role of legal awareness and assistance, need for multi-stakeholder engagement and program adaptability, in the context of COVID-19 economic impacts.
Participants discussed examples of programming that worked well and the continued challenges of livelihood programs in Jordan. Moderated by DSP’s Manager Kat Achilles, this session brought to light themes including coordination, private sector engagement and the strengthening of institutional capacities in different economic sectors.
The final part of the roundtable discussion moderated by David Glendenning, Head of the Durable Solutions Unit at the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Middle East Regional Office, aimed at reflecting on livelihoods program strategies that will be relevant in the future. A number of points discussed included the graduation approach as a promising intervention, coherent engagement with and avoidance of assumptions on the private sector and the importance of continuously capturing economic and labor market trends, among others.
DSP will continue to support strategic thinking and dialogue on medium-term livelihoods approaches to Syrians displacement.
Durable Solutions Platform, Danish Refugee Council, International Rescue Committee and Norwegian Refugee Council. May 2020. Improving Self-Reliance and Resilience in Jordan: Lessons Learned from Livelihoods Interventions.