Applications open for The UNHCRF Refugee-led Innovation Fund for Refugee-led Organizations (Up to $45,000 funding)

The UNHCRF Refugee-led Innovation Fund for Refugee-led Organizations is dedicated to promoting the ingenuity of displaced and stateless individuals. Its objective is to redefine their involvement in humanitarian efforts by ensuring that they play a central role in decision-making processes that impact their lives. This includes leading the identification of needs and the development of innovative solutions.

The Fund provides comprehensive support, including financial resources, mentorship, and other forms of expertise, directly to refugee-led organizations. This enables them to create and implement new interventions that have a lasting positive effect on their communities.

Requirements: The UNHCRF Refugee-led Innovation Fund for Refugee-led Organizations

• The Fund supports innovation by all organizations led by individuals who have personally experienced forced displacement, such as refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, and stateless individuals who are recognized within their communities for their significant contributions in the past.
• Applicants are encouraged to apply as a team, typically as part of an existing organization.
• The Fund accepts applications from both registered and unregistered organizations that have gained recognition in their communities through their significant contributions and initiatives.
• Special attention will be given to ensuring that organizations led by women, people with disabilities, Indigenous populations, and other underrepresented groups receive support and encouragement to apply to the Fund.

Benefits: The UNHCRF Refugee-led Innovation Fund for Refugee-led Organizations

• Selected organizations can expect the following:
• Financial support: Organizations can apply for funding of up to $45,000 USD to test and implement ideas that have strong community-oriented approaches and generate value for community members. This funding is not specifically tied to any thematic area or technology.
  Programme and project management support: Grantees will receive assistance from UNHCR and experts to help enhance their capacity to effectively design and implement programs.
  Technical support, expertise, and coaching: Organizations will have access to specialized advice tailored to their specific needs, covering topics ranging from technology to legal support and innovation methodologies.
• Peer-to-peer networking: Supported organizations will be encouraged to collaborate with one another, exchange experiences, learn from each other, and explore potential partnerships.
• Additional support tailored to project needs: This may include assistance with organizational development, guidance on project sustainability and scalability, specialized training on specific topics, advice on business models, and support with media and communications.
• A focus on learning: Grantees will receive support to measure the outcomes of their projects, assess their impact, and gather information to facilitate growth. They will be encouraged to document, share, and apply relevant lessons learned. Engaging in discussions and reflection with their communities will enable them to incorporate feedback and respond accordingly.

Application process: The UNHCRF Refugee-led Innovation Fund for Refugee-led Organizations

• Applications will undergo a two-stage selection process.
• During the first stage, organizations are invited to submit a concise expression of interest by 31 May 2024 at 23:59 EST (Panama time; UTC-5) in their preferred language. This expression of interest (EOI) should provide a brief overview of the identified challenge and proposed solution. The Innovation Service will review these applications and create a shortlist.
• In the second stage, shortlisted organizations will have an additional three weeks to submit a comprehensive application. They will receive support from the Innovation Service and UNHCR country offices to develop and submit these detailed applications.
• For more information visit the official webpage of the UNHCR Refugee-led Innovation Fund.
• Applications close 31 May 2024 at 23:59 Panama time.