4. UNHCR’s engagement in complementary pathways

UNHCR’s long-term vision is a world in refugees can make informed choices about their migration options, enjoy freedom of movement and navigate migration frameworks that are cognizant of refugee-specific limitations (with relevant support services available, if needed). These longer-term goals are focused on amending migration systems and frameworks to include refugees through linking development, training, certification, entry rules and systems, support frameworks and integration structures together.

Overview of UNHCR’s engagement in complementary pathways

UNHCR’s role in the space of complementary pathways lies in ensuring that refugees are included in national and international systems, their international protection and other needs are taken into account and the institutions that serve them both understand those needs and are equipped to address them.

As an advocate for refugee inclusion, UNHCR plays a pivotal role in providing policy and legal analysis of refugees’ access to opportunities, facilitating the collection of socio-economic data to enrich demographic profiles and utilizing evidence-based information to advocate for inclusive solutions. In contexts where livelihood and economic inclusion interventions are already under way, facilitation and advocacy role, avoiding the creation of parallel systems may be most suitable for UNHCR.

In some operational contexts, local service providers, including but not limited to civil society organizations, NGOs, refugee-led organizations, do not have the resources (e.g. skills, knowledge, training, funding, staffing) to work on complementary pathways. UNHCR may step in to fill the gaps and, consequently, play a temporary capacity-building role, support with fundraising efforts, strategy building and link local initiatives with existing development and migration initiatives and with international partners involved in sourcing refugees for specific pathways opportunities.