We use the term ‘insider researcher’ to refer to any researcher who has lived experience of displacement, including refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, stateless persons and other groups that have been forcibly displaced or live in exile, whether they are still displaced or have resettled. We use ‘outsider researcher’ for any researcher who does not have lived experience of displacement, whether they are based in Global North or Global South universities and research institutions. Our study is on the nature and impact of refugee-led organisations (RLOs) in East Africa led by displaced insider researchers from start to finish. We explore the benefits and challenges associated with being an insider researcher and make the case for the need to support refugee-led research.

Benefits of being insider researchers

RLOs are an understudied topic in forced migration studies. Our initial desk review highlighted that there is limited available information about RLOs and the forms that they take in East Africa, especially in Tanzania and Ethiopia.��Our intimate knowledge of the refugee communities in the locations of the study was a clear benefit in helping us identify RLOs of diverse sizes and levels of influence when designing the study. We have strong insights into the social setting of the refugee community because of our lived experience as displaced persons. Some of us also have personal experience working or volunteering with RLOs. Many RLOs in our communities do not have an online presence, but we knew from experience that some of these smaller, less-resourced RLOs have a significant impact on individual refugees and refugee communities. Being familiar with the role of smaller RLOs convinced us of the need to include RLOs of different sizes and to examine in depth their impact on the refugee community.

Being insider researchers also created a feeling of ease between us and refugee participants. Refugee and RLO participants in our study felt more comfortable sharing their experiences and perspectives with us. In contrast to outsider researchers,��our shared background��helped to create a good connection between us and the participants as the participants often mentioned that they were talking to peers. We hypothesise that this is due to their belief that we understand the potential repercussions of breaking their confidentiality as we would face the same problems if our own confidentiality was broken. Furthermore, participants are more likely to believe that we will work hard to make sure their inputs are heard by stakeholders, including donors, international NGOs and government institutions, because we share the same challenges. Participants expect more honesty from us than from outsider researchers, as we are part of the community and have also experienced being interviewed and never being informed of the outcomes of the research.

Varied experience

Our team consists of four researchers with varied experiences of displacement and with different backgrounds. The lead researchers in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania still live in the country where they experienced displacement. In Uganda, the lead researcher is a Kenyan refugee in Nakivale refugee settlement. In Kenya, the lead researcher is a Sudanese refugee who has lived in both camp and urban settings, making it easier for her to relate to participants from both these settings. In Tanzania, the lead researcher is a former refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo based in Dar-es-Salaam.

By contrast, the Ethiopian lead researcher is a former refugee who has returned to Addis Ababa. Researchers who are still in the countries where they experienced or are experiencing displacement tended to be seen as peers by participants but the Ethiopian lead researcher was considered an outsider by refugees being hosted in Ethiopia because they did not share a nationality or language. As the researcher shared his experience as a refugee, however, participants saw him as someone who is both insider and outsider.

The gender of team members also had an impact on how we designed and conducted the study.��With regard to diversity, women refugee lead researchers more deliberately looked for RLOs initiated by women, as they more easily identified with the challenges women RLO leaders faced, and such RLOs tend to be less visible than those led by men.

Challenges of being refugee researchers

We have faced several challenges that are specific to being insider researchers and to our dual identity as displaced persons and professional researchers.

With regard to relations with participants,��one challenge is that participants often assume that we understand all their difficulties and therefore sometimes omit information from the interviews. For instance, participants often make comments such as “you know what I mean”, which suggests that some information has been left unsaid. We often have to probe further to ensure we understand the full picture. Likewise, there is a risk that we may be biased and assume that, given our shared experiences, participants’ perspectives and opinions are the same as ours.

One of the most critical challenges we face is being recognised legitimate researchers by stakeholders such as international NGOs, UN agencies and government officials, despite having delivered a presentation at��the side event on meaningful refugee participation��at the 2021 UNHCR��High-Level Official Meeting.��While we have better access to the refugee community than outsider researchers, we struggle to secure interviews with local humanitarian stakeholders and often have to rely on non-refugee colleagues for introductions.

Conclusion

What makes our study different is that it is conducted by ‘us’, people with displaced backgrounds, from the start to the end: from developing��research questions and methodology, to data collection and analysis, to report writing. Our study offers us an opportunity to enhance our research skills through supervision and mentorship from a pool of experienced non-refugee and refugee researchers.��It also demonstrates that, given the right resources and support, refugee researchers can lead studies and contribute to knowledge production in the field of forced migration, thanks to our unique positionality.

Creating spaces for refugees to lead research, rather than just undertake fieldwork, will require adjustments within humanitarian research and academia and is beyond the control of individual researchers. To disrupt��current patterns of��exploitation and power imbalances between insider and outsider researchers, we recommend that:

• Donors should fund refugee-led research in topics identified by refugee researchers in consultation with community members.
• International NGOs should consider refugee researchers as legitimate researchers and make themselves available to support research processes (such as in organising interviews and securing research permits).
• Outsider researchers should support��refugee researchers through mentorship and in accessing research opportunities, particularly in spaces where power imbalances remain.

Contributors

• Abis Getachew��(Researcher, Ethiopia)
• Mary Gitahi (Researcher, Uganda)
• Uwezo Ramazani��(Researcher, Tanzania)
• Andhira Yousif (Researcher, Kenya)

The RLO study is led by �Ӱ�ԭ�� University through the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN) and in partnership with the Refugee Studies Centre (RSC) at the University of Oxford. In East Africa, LERRN and RSC are also collaborating with the Dadaab Response Association (DRA), which leads a case-study in the Dadaab refugee camps as part of the RLO study. The study is supported, in part, by the����and the International Development Research Centre.

One exception is Betts A, Easton-Calabria E and Pincock K (2020)��The Global Governed?��which provided important information about the nature of RLOs in Uganda and Kenya.��

While we knew that refugee-led organisations were important actors in the refugee response ecosystem, their roles and scope of activity were poorly understood. How could we move from anecdote to evidence, to better understand the nature and scope of refugee-led responses to the needs of refugees? In response to this question, the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN) and the Refugee-led Research Hub (RLRH), based in Nairobi and run by the University of Oxford’s Refugee Studies Centre, launched a different kind of research project in early 2021.��With support from a range of partners,����two teams of researchers who have experienced displacement or live and work in close proximity to the phenomenon of displacement were formed. Read this research insights in the article

This special edition of the��Humanitarian Exchange, co-edited with Emily Arnold-Fernández, former CEO of Asylum Access, focuses on refugee participation and leadership in addressing forced displacement.��To access the full��issue

Please visit FMR’s landing page for the Special Issue using the buttons below, or download the PDF directly in English, French or Arabic:

Oroub El-Abed, Watfa Najdi, and Mustafa Hoshmand from the just published a new article on the patterns of refugee organizations in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey in The Journal on Migration and Human Security. The findings of this amazing research were launched during a webinar on January 16^th �پ��ٱ����,��“Refugee Communities Mobilising in the Middle East.”

This study establishes a body of evidence on the effective structures of refugee communities despite the obstacles presented in hosts states. The authors prove that refugees have the ability to take control and (re-) build their communities by utilizing effective leadership networks with peers and support organizations, a specific agenda, and funding to meet community needs. The numerous organizational patterns and typologies used by refugees present evidence for the need to extend RLOs’ activities and allow them to play a bigger part in delivering humanitarian aid, community support, and empowerment. Finally, the authors encourage policymakers, funders, and practitioners to use this research to inform their engagement with different types of RLOs in their regions, considering the range of structures, strategies, and levels of formality that these groups exhibit.

Article Authors

Oroub El-Abed

Regional Research Coordinator, RLO Evaluation in the Middle East

Full Profile

Mustafa Hoshmand

Lead Country Researcher in Turkey, RLO Evaluation

Full Profile

Watfa Najdi

Lead Country Researcher in Lebanon, RLO Evaluation

Full Profile

Abstract

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the ways refugees in displacement manage to organize themselves and act upon their needs. The growing recognition in the UN system of the importance of localization of aid and the potential role played by local actors has given refugee-led organizations (RLO) a space to grow. In this paper, we analyze refugee agency and solidarity through the organization of the refugee communities in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon. In doing so, we examine: (1) the reasons behind the creation of these organizations and their dynamics; (2) the role of host states toward this drive to organize refugee communities; and (3) the patterns, forms, and structures that these organizations take in providing humanitarian services, as well as community support and empowerment.

Event details and recordings available here.

On January 16, the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN), in collaboration with the Centre for Lebanese Studies (CLS), hosted a webinar to launch the Middle East results from the project Evaluation of Refugee-Led Organizations in East Africa and the Middle East. More than 100 participants from 25 countries joined the webinar to learn about refugee mobilisation and refugee-led organizations (RLOs) in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. The webinar featured panelists Oroub El-Abed, Watfa Najdi, Mustafa Hoshmand, and Farah Al Hamouri from the research team, as well as discussants Meryem Aslan and Yara Mourad. Recent international commitments to localize aid, such as the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees, has placed an emphasis on enhancing refugees’ self-reliance and recognizing the value of refugee participation in decision-making. Coupled with the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, these global dynamics have resulted in . The results of the Middle East research on refugee-led responses, summarized in the Executive Summary published ahead of the webinar, reveal conclusions that speak directly to these global trends and shed new light on the dynamics of refugee-led responses.

Oroub El-Abed kicked off the presentation by emphasizing that there is a long history of refugee-led responses in the Middle East. However, there have been very few studies that provide evidence of RLO impact. This study, similar to the study of RLOs in East Africa, demonstrates the positive impact of RLOs in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. The results are a testament to the importance of enhancing refugee self-reliance and decision-making.

Watfa Najdi explained that RLOs in the Middle East vary significantly in terms of their organizational structures, agendas, and activities. Indeed, “one of the most particular advantages of RLOs is that they are able to identify the community needs in a very collaborative and inclusive way which results in the variations in the RLO activities in the region” Najdi explained. Farah Al Hamouri reflected on the obstacles to refugee agency in the region. The diverse policies of host states in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey grant different access to official registration for RLOs. Official registration is an important determinant of the capacity of RLOs, since registration enables access to international funding, ensures safety while operating, and establishes networks with other organizations. Mustafa Hoshmand emphasized that it is challenging to measure some of the most important impacts of RLOs, such as the social capital they build in refugee communities or their ability to bring awareness to refugee voices. RLOs may also play a role in building positive relationships with the host community and the state.

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Reflecting on the report findings, El-Abed suggested a wide range of recommendations that could enhance the impact of RLOs in the region, help them better serve their communities, foster a trust-based relationship with RLOs, and better address the needs of refugees. These recommendations – addressing issues ranging from local to national to transnational levels – point out the need for more permissive laws that allow refugees to mobilise publicly and to register their organizations. The research team also recommended ensuring that a wider range of RLOs can access funding.

Yara Mourad from the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut (AUB) agreed with the factors that condition RLO responses, such as the policy environment of host countries and barriers surrounding the registration of RLOs. Mourad added that the dynamics of host communities are also a major factor in the activities of RLOs. Mourad suggested that future research could ask questions related to the relationship between refugee mobilisation and host communities: How can RLOs support refugees and host community members? ��What are best practices for outreach to the local community? How can RLOs contribute to community cohesion? Meryem Aslan from Oxfam Netherlands and the Refugee Council of Turkey further emphasized the importance of and solidarity between international, national, and local partners working in the field of humanitarian aid. Aslan stated that while registration is crucial for RLOs to ensure a safe environment for their activities, registration does not guarantee funding, as pointed out by .

During the audience Q&A, the panelists drew attention to the importance of including localized knowledge and ensuring the safety of refugees when conducting research with refugee communities and with refugee research assistants. Ana Belén Anguita Arjona from UNHCR further underlined the importance of considering questions of representation and diversity in RLO mobilisation. How do different minority groups within refugee communities, such as people with different sexual orientations or people with disabilities, participate in RLOs and benefit from RLOs? It is also crucial that partnerships go beyond financial aid to building trust and solidarity. In conclusion, El-Abed emphasized that “refugees are active regardless of the barriers that affect them” and they exercise agency in different ways. Despite restrictive environments, refugee mobilisation continues. It is important to recognize the smaller, unregistered, and often “invisible” RLOs who do important work in their communities.

This report was prepared by Irem Karabağ, LERRN Project Writer.��

Further Reading:

Event details and recordings available here.

On September 29, the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN) hosted a webinar to launch the supported by LERRN and the . The report and Executive Summary are available on the . The webinar attracted 87 participants, bringing together scholars and practitioners from 16 countries. The four country-lead researchers – Andhira Yousif Kara, Abis Getachew, Mary Gitahi, and Uwezo Ramazani – presented key takeaways from the report.

Andhira Yousif Kara, the lead researcher in Kenya, kicked off the presentation by introducing a definition for Refugee-led Organizations. Within the framework of this research, the definition of RLOs included any organizations, associations, coalitions, formal or informal networks, faith-based groups, and initiatives led by refugees or asylum seekers in urban, rural, camp, and settlement settings. As these organizations function to respond to the needs of refugees, the organizations that operate fully for profit or do not include refugees in their key decision-making roles were excluded from the scope of this study.

Kara emphasized the lack of evidence on the impact of the RLOs in displaced communities. This research fills in this gap by looking at how RLOs are perceived in the communities where they work and by analyzing the factors that present challenges in their operations. A team of researchers affected by displacement conducted the research in two phases in 11 urban and camp/settlement sites across Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The mapping phase reviewed the literature, identified 178 RLOs, and included 151 rapid phone interviews with stakeholders to grasp the diversity of RLOs. The team selected 60 RLO leaders and 53 external stakeholders to interview. The team also conducted over 100 focus group discussions with RLO staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries. The 60 RLOs in the smaller sample were divided into three main stages of development depending on their funding capacities.

1. The “self-help phase” where the organizations exist in informal groups and are not registered. They are dependent on membership contributions and may engage in small income-generating activities to support their community work. The research shows that most women-led organizations are found at this stage.
2. The “growth phase” where RLOs are registered and provide services to their members and their broader communities (often along ethnic lines). Some of them receive funds from diasporic community members and humanitarian organization donors. At this stage, they look for local and international actors with whom they can partner and collaborate.
3. The “expansion phase” includes Non-Governmental Organizations and other larger registered RLOs. They provide services to refugees regardless of ethnicity and also to the host community. They can access more funding through larger networks.

After this overview of the research methodology, Abis Getachew, the lead researcher in Ethiopia, explained the perceived impact of RLOs. As RLOs work closely with the communities they serve, their services are perceived by their beneficiaries as fairer, more accountable, and more accessible. Community members feel that they are treated with respect and dignity when they access support from RLOs. Their proximity to the community allows them to respond to emergencies, including outside of typical work hours. They are also known for their provision of livelihood support, such as micro-loans.

Getachew emphasized the importance of networks for RLOs. In countries such as Ethiopia and Tanzania where RLOs are not allowed to register with the government, they depend heavily on the diaspora for support and funding. In countries like Kenya and Uganda where there is government support, RLOs rely on NGO connections for funding. The structural barriers and self-censorship in all four countries affect women-led RLOs more severely, as they are more likely to remain at the self-help stage.

Uwezo Ramazani, the lead researcher in Tanzania, noted that the regulatory framework influences RLOs differently in each country. In Uganda and Kenya, RLOs can operate openly even if they are not registered, whereas in Tanzania and Ethiopia unregistered RLOs are unable to operate safely and experience challenges in opening bank accounts to receive funds. In all of the countries, registration is challenging for RLOs who have leaders with low literacy or education levels, or who lack networks with area Chiefs and refugee-supporting institutions. Restrictions on refugee movement also makes it difficult to develop organizations. Partnerships are important as they bring exposure to the work of RLOs and legitimize them to potential donors. The registered RLOs are more likely to access partnerships. However, Ramazani emphasized that larger organizations and international Non-Governmental Organizations are slow to provide funding or to transfer power in a meaningful way to refugees.

Finally, Mary Gitahi, the lead researcher in Uganda, offered recommendations to donors, governments, UNHCR, aid organizations, and RLOs. For example, Gitahi underlined that stakeholders should work toward meaningful and non-tokenistic ways to engage RLOs, while ensuring their independence. Donors, including states and philanthropic organizations, should prioritize direct funding to RLOs, including unregistered self-help groups led by marginalized refugees. Gitahi wrapped up the discussion by emphasizing that researchers affected by displacement can lead methodologically rigorous studies – such as this study – if provided with appropriate resources.

This substantial research project demonstrates the importance of RLO inclusion in global humanitarian activities and calls for further research on the impacts of RLOs. The study provides an extensive knowledge base that shows the diverse and valuable work of RLOs. The webinar raised important issues such as the regulatory differences between countries related to registration and restrictions, the barriers for women-led initiatives, the challenges of RLO-to-RLO partnerships, the power imbalance between international organizations and RLOs, the challenges of accessing funding, and the risks RLOs must manage in their work. The next step for this research is to widely disseminate the regional report and individual country reports to community members, government decision-makers, and beyond. Stay tuned for the launch of the report from the parallel study in the Middle East region!

This report was prepared by Irem Karabağ, LERRN Project Writer.

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According to CLS, “we need to help Refugee-led organizations by advocating for better and clearer domestic laws and policies regarding refugees’ rights by funders and host governments, which will in turn empower, and improve their capabilities and capacity to serve the community more effectively.”

Read more about CLS’s research project “Refugee-Led Organisations and Initiatives in the Middle East Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey” here:

For information and updates on LERRN’s collaboration with CLS and RSC on the study evaluating RLOs in the Middle East, see here: