On 3 November 2021, the Centre of Refugee Studies at the University of Oxford organized a webinar during which five lead researchers presented this project’s objectives and methodology in East Africa.
This online interactive presentation explored the ongoing Evaluation of Refugee-Led Organisations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Given that the project is in its early stages of development, the researchers outlined the methodology and project timeline, as well as identified challenges and opportunities. It is expected that the mapping of RLOs will be completed by the end of November. Data collection should be finalized early next year and the report on findings will be prepared in May 2022.
Discussants
Andhira Yousif (lead researcher in Kenya) highlighted some of the common challenges: some refugees may be hesitant to participate in their research as they are used to working with international NGOs and RLOs may not be taken as seriously. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic when many NGOs were recalled or faced restrictions, RLOs stepped up to fill the gaps and their presence was very much welcomed.
When asked if RLOs will continue to have prominence after the pandemic, Abis Getachew (lead researcher in Ethiopia) said that RLOs will continue to have stakes as they have had an impact on communities. He added that it’s hard to know for sure what RLO activities will look like until data has been collected.
Uwezo Ramazani (lead researcher in Tanzania) shared that most RLOs start as self-help groups. Some are eager to get funding from outside groups, but are often unsuccessful, so they struggle to get funds for their sustenance.
Click here to watch a full recording of this webinar.
Click here to view the presentation slides from this webinar.
For more info on the Evaluation of Refugee-Led Organisations from LERRN, RSC and CLS, Click Here.