Training course on Extending Social Protection to Refugees and Displaced Persons

Training Course on Extending Social Protection to Refugees and Displaced Persons 

Introduction

Extending Social Protection to Refugees and Displaced Persons is a critical humanitarian and development imperative, addressing the profound vulnerabilities faced by millions forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disasters. Refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and asylum seekers often lack access to formal social security systems in host countries, leaving them exposed to extreme poverty, exploitation, and deprivation. Leveraging social protection systems offers a dignified, efficient, and sustainable pathway to provide essential support, protect livelihoods, and foster self-reliance for these populations, moving beyond traditional emergency aid. This specialized field focuses on designing and implementing inclusive social protection solutions that recognize the unique legal, social, and economic realities of displaced individuals and families, ensuring their rights are upheld and their resilience is strengthened.

Training Course on Extending Social Protection to Refugees and Displaced Persons is meticulously designed to equip with the advanced theoretical insights and intensive practical tools necessary to excel in Extending Social Protection to Refugees and Displaced Persons. We will delve into the complex legal and policy frameworks governing forced displacement, master the intricacies of identifying and reaching displaced populations, and explore cutting-edge approaches to inclusive program design, data management, and multi-stakeholder coordination. A significant focus will be placed on understanding legal and policy gaps, ensuring human rights and protection, fostering cross-border collaboration, and navigating the practical challenges of integrating displaced persons into national social protection systems. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives, analyzing real-world complex case studies, and engaging in hands-on design and simulation exercises, attendees will develop the strategic acumen to confidently champion and implement social protection for refugees and displaced persons, fostering unparalleled dignity, inclusion, and sustainable solutions.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze the fundamental concepts of forced displacement (refugees, IDPs, asylum seekers) and their specific vulnerabilities.
2. Comprehend the strategic importance and potential of social protection in supporting refugees and displaced persons.
3. Master various international and national legal and policy frameworks relevant to social protection for displaced populations.
4. Develop expertise in assessing social protection gaps and opportunities for inclusion in host countries.
5. Formulate strategies for designing inclusive and adaptive social protection programs tailored for displaced persons.
6. Understand the critical role of linking humanitarian cash assistance with national social protection systems.
7. Implement robust approaches to data collection, identification, and registration of displaced populations.
8. Explore various financing mechanisms and resource mobilization strategies for social protection for displaced persons.
9. Apply methodologies for ensuring gender-responsive and child-sensitive approaches in programming for displaced populations.
10. Develop strategies for fostering multi-stakeholder coordination and partnerships across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
11. Analyze the challenges and opportunities of extending social protection to refugees and displaced persons in diverse contexts.
12. Design a preliminary social protection inclusion strategy for displaced populations in a specific country.
13. Examine global best practices and lessons learned from successful initiatives in extending social protection to refugees and displaced persons.

Target Audience

This course is essential for professionals working on forced displacement and social welfare:

1. Social Protection Policymakers & Program Managers: Designing and implementing social safety nets.
2. Humanitarian Aid Workers: Delivering assistance to displaced populations.
3. Migration & Refugee Specialists: Focusing on policy and programming for displaced persons.
4. Government Officials: From ministries of social welfare, interior, refugee affairs, and planning.
5. UN Agency Representatives: From UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, IOM, UNDP, ILO.
6. Civil Society Organizations & NGOs: Implementing programs for refugees and IDPs.
7. Donors & Funding Partners: Supporting forced displacement responses.
8. Legal Professionals: Working on refugee law, human rights, and migration policy.

Course Duration: 5 Days

Course Modules

Module 1: Understanding Forced Displacement and Vulnerabilities

• Define key terms: refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), asylum seekers, stateless persons.
• Analyze the drivers of forced displacement (conflict, persecution, disasters, climate change).
• Discuss the unique vulnerabilities faced by displaced populations: legal status, economic exclusion, social marginalization, protection risks.
• Explore the socio-economic impacts of displacement on individuals, households, and host communities.
• Overview of global trends and statistics on forced displacement.

Module 2: International and National Frameworks for Social Protection of Displaced Persons

• Review key international legal instruments: 1951 Refugee Convention, Global Compact on Refugees, Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
• Discuss the role of human rights frameworks (e.g., CRPD, CRC) in ensuring social protection for displaced persons.
• Analyze national policies and legislation in host countries regarding social protection access for displaced populations.
• Identify legal and policy gaps that hinder inclusion and propose potential solutions.
• Explore the concept of "portability" of social protection benefits across borders.

Module 3: Mapping Existing Social Protection Systems and Gaps

• Methodologies for assessing the social protection landscape in host countries.
• Identify existing national social protection programs (contributory and non-contributory) and their potential for inclusion.
• Analyze barriers to access for refugees and displaced persons (e.g., legal status, documentation, language, discrimination).
• Discuss the role of informal social protection mechanisms within displaced communities.
• Practical exercise: mapping social protection gaps for a specific displaced population group.

Module 4: Designing Inclusive Social Protection Programs for Displaced Persons

• Principles of designing social protection interventions that are inclusive and adaptive for displaced populations.
• Adapting targeting and eligibility criteria to account for the unique circumstances of displaced persons.
• Designing appropriate benefit levels and modalities (cash, in-kind, services) for diverse needs.
• Exploring specific social protection responses for different phases of displacement (emergency, protracted, return/reintegration).
• Case studies of inclusive social protection programs for refugees and IDPs.

Module 5: Linking Humanitarian Assistance with Social Protection

• The strategic rationale for linking humanitarian cash assistance (HCA) with national social protection (SP) systems.
• Discuss operational models for linking: piggybacking, alignment, and strengthening national systems.
• Strategies for transitioning displaced populations from humanitarian aid to government-led social protection.
• Explore the benefits of linking: efficiency, predictability, dignity, and buildin national capacity.
• Case studies of successful HCA-SP linkages in forced displacement contexts.

Module 6: Data, Identification, and Registration for Displaced Persons

• Challenges of identity management and documentation for refugees and displaced persons.
• Strategies for identifying and registering displaced populations for social protection programs.
• Discuss the use of biometric data, digital identity, and social registries in sensitive contexts.
• Ensuring data privacy, security, and ethical considerations when collecting and sharing data on displaced persons.
• Explore data interoperability between humanitarian, government, and UN systems.

Module 7: Financing Social Protection for Displaced Persons

• Exploring various financing mechanisms for extending social protection to refugees and displaced persons.
• Discuss the role of host government budgets, international aid, and multi-donor trust funds.
• Leveraging innovative financing instruments and blended finance approaches.
• Strategies for ensuring predictable and sustained funding for long-term inclusion.
• Analyzing the cost-effectiveness of integrating displaced persons into national social protection systems.

Module 8: Coordination, Partnerships, and Protection Principles

• Fostering effective multi-stakeholder coordination between government, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society.
• Discuss the importance of a whole-of-society approach and engaging displaced communities themselves.
• Ensuring protection principles are upheld (e.g., non-refoulement, non-discrimination, safety) in all social protection interventions.
• Applying a human rights-based, gender-responsive, and child-sensitive approach to programming.
• Establishing accessible feedback and grievance redress mechanisms for displaced beneficiaries.

 

Training Methodology

• Interactive Workshops: Facilitated discussions, group exercises, and problem-solving activities.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples to illustrate successful community-based surveillance practices.
• Role-Playing and Simulations: Practice engaging communities in surveillance activities.
• Expert Presentations: Insights from experienced public health professionals and community leaders.
• Group Projects: Collaborative development of community surveillance plans.
• Action Planning: Development of personalized action plans for implementing community-based surveillance.
• Digital Tools and Resources: Utilization of online platforms for collaboration and learning.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Sharing experiences and insights on community engagement.
• Post-Training Support: Access to online forums, mentorship, and continued learning resources.

 

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

• Participants must be conversant in English.
• Upon completion of training, participants will receive an Authorized Training Certificate.
• The course duration is flexible and can be modified to fit any number of days.
• Course fee includes facilitation, training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch, and a Certificate upon successful completion.
• One-year post-training support, consultation, and coaching provided after the course.
• Payment should be made at least a week before the training commencement to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice, to enable better preparation.