Pillar I: Understanding populations and collecting data
© UNHCR/Pedro Costa Gomes
More systematic data collection is essential to building complementary pathways. Collecting pathways-related data enables planning and designing pathways and interventions, assessing the protection impacts of programmes, extracting lessons learned and ensuring evidence-based programming for more effective outcomes. Data are also essential in monitoring progress against GCR and Roadmap 2030 objectives.
UNHCR’s work in this pillar of engagement in complementary pathways focuses on knowing the population and building profiling data; empowering refugee self-ownership of data; recording complementary pathways assistance; ensuring smooth data collection and sharing; and monitoring and evaluating programmes.
A) Know the population and build profiling data
Collecting information about refugee populations is an essential first step in planning for pathways.
This collection could also include assessment of reasons for onward movement that could form the programmatic response under Pillar V of UNHCR’s Route-Based Approach. Refugees often move onwards due to lack of options for work or study and perceived eligibility for family reunification, among other reasons. UNHCR needs to be consistent in understanding the reasons for this movement and identify partners along the route who are actively involved in building a comprehensive response to the root causes as they relate to economic or education opportunities, family reunification or protection needs particularly in the context of complementary pathways.
Up-to-date information (education and work experience, family links in third countries, languages, etc.) captured through proGres and through UNHCR/partner self-service tools enables UNHCR Operations to assess the viability of different pathways and plan their interventions accordingly. While UNHCR’s Digital Gateway is in development, verification exercises, participatory assessments, community fora and counselling sessions can support collecting relevant population data. Additionally, supplementary tools like KoBo forms can improve UNHCR’s operational data. Self-service modalities [such as kiosks, my unhcr.org scheduling tools, Safe Mobility Offices and other tools that will form a part of the upcoming Digital Gateway] should also include fields to improve refugees’ ability to record, access and update information.
Data on profiles and needs of the population in the departure countries could instruct programme design, including the training needs and availability, the relevance of existing migration for refugee inclusion, integration support, etc.
While UNHCR population data remains useful, partners working with communities, and particularly refugee-led organizations and diaspora groups, often have information or could include routine questions to capture data in interactions and outreach. Data-sharing agreements improve efficiency by streamlining information-sharing between UNHCR and partners. Where parallel data-collection systems by States, UNHCR and other partners exist to enable access to mobility pathways, UNHCR may wish to work with relevant actors to ensure those feed into national migration systems through innovative tools such as Safe Mobility Offices and similar initiatives.
B) Empower refugee self-ownership of data (Digital Gateway self-reporting)
Refugees should be able to continuously access, verify and update their information to galvanize opportunities around complementary pathways. UNHCR is enabling these opportunities through the progressive development of self-service modalities that allow for continuous data recording and ownership.
The current development and forthcoming launch of the UNHCR Digital Gateway will empower refugees to own their data and update it in real time. It will also enable UNHCR and its partners to have more up-to-date and comprehensive information on the population’s skills, capacities, and experiences. The VerifyPlus feature embedded in the registration attestations potentially also available through the Digital Gateway will enable the issuance of QR-coded certification on registration/legal status also helping improve the integrity of complementary pathways processing.
C) Record complementary pathways assistance
UNHCR works to ensure that operational data is as reflective as possible of complementary pathways departures from countries of first asylum. This includes steps on the way to departures such as any forms of assistance, counselling, referrals, travel support, assistance with visa issuance or exit formalities.
D) Data collection and sharing
Complementary pathways work requires multi-stakeholder coordination, including information and data-sharing. Coordination between partners avoids duplication of data and ensures partner data is triangulated including with proGres. Before sharing personal data with third parties, UNHCR should assess related risks and generally whether the level of data protection afforded by third parties with whom personal data is shared is adequate. Prior data-sharing agreements between partners may be necessary, particularly where transfers of personal data are likely to be large, repeated or structural. Agreements also allow to specify data transfer modalities, limitations to onward sharing, mutual breach notification and limited data retention.
E) Monitoring and evaluation
Monitoring and evaluation systems are essential for assessing long-term protection outcomes of complementary pathways, including access to durable solutions. UNHCR focuses on ensuring equal access to pathways, considering age, gender, and diversity. Working together with refugees, partners, and authorities in destination countries helps improve system monitoring and the production of data to enhance global understanding of these programmes. Work on the comprehensive framework for programme evaluation is only commencing; however, UNHCR’s participatory assessment framework may provide a useful tool.
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