Ashoka United States (2022)

The document explores the collaboration between social entrepreneurs and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) to address global social and environmental challenges. It emphasises the potential of these collaborations to create innovative solutions, despite organisational barriers faced by INGOs. The report underscores the need for INGOs to redefine their roles, build internal capacities for innovation, and engage with social entrepreneurs to drive systemic change. It encourages increased collaboration, understanding, and strategic partnerships to enhance the effectiveness and impact of both INGOs and social entrepreneurs.

https://www.ashoka.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/NewAllies%20Report-%20How%20INGOs%20and%20Social%20Entrepreneurs%20Collaborate%20to%20Transform%20Global%20Development.pdf (09.01.2023)

UNHCR (2011)

This text underscores the vulnerability of ethnic, religious, or linguistic minorities, indigenous peoples, and caste-based groups seeking international protection. It highlights their susceptibility to severe human rights violations, violence, persecution, and discrimination. The definition of minorities encompasses groups with a common identity, often non-dominant economically and politically, maintaining distinctive characteristics. Indigenous peoples, linked historically to pre-invasion societies, enjoy specific rights related to customary law, traditional knowledge, and cultural heritage. Caste-based discrimination, prevalent in South Asia, is also addressed. The guidance acknowledges the potential minority-like situation for refugees from the majority arriving in locations with discriminatory practices against similar communities. Refugees from minorities, indigenous peoples, and other discriminated groups may face prolonged effects, with diverse impacts on women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and LGBTI individuals, emphasising the need for an Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) approach in UNHCR’s protection activities.

https://emergency.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/Working%20with%20National%20or%20Ethnic%2C%20Religious%2C%20and%20Linguistic%20Minorities%20and%20Indigenous%20Peoples%20%20in%20Forced%20Displacement.pdf (09.01.2023)

UNHCR, (2021)

This document offers guidance to UNHCR staff and partners on safeguarding the rights of older persons in forced displacement or statelessness situations. It emphasises the need to address the distinct needs of older individuals throughout various phases, ensuring their rights to independence, participation, self-fulfilment, dignity, and care without discrimination. The systematic application of UNHCR’s Age, Gender, and Diversity Policy is crucial to ensuring equal rights and full participation for all, considering the diversity within the older persons’ demographic. Additionally, the UNHCR Policy on Older Refugees calls for the protection and assistance of older persons, promoting their equality of access to measures that enhance their participation and well-being. The definition of an older person, typically aged 60 and above according to the United Nations, acknowledges the cultural and contextual variations in defining age, recognizing that different support measures may be required for those over 80.

https://emergency.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/Working%20with%20Older%20Persons%20in%20Forced%20Displacment%202013.pdf (09.01.2023)

UNHCR, (2019)

In the context of forced displacement, individuals with disabilities encounter similar rights and challenges as others, but they also confront heightened protection risks, including violence and stigma. Barriers to accessing humanitarian aid, education, and other services, coupled with potential denial of legal rights, contribute to their exclusion. UNHCR’s AGD Policy emphasises equal rights and participation for all, explicitly addressing the needs of persons with disabilities. The commitment to protecting them from discrimination aligns with UNHCR Executive Committee Conclusion No. 110 (LXI)-2010. Recognizing the diverse discrimination they face, an age, gender, and diversity approach is crucial to ensuring inclusive protection, assistance, and solutions for persons with disabilities.

https://www.unhcr.org/fr-fr/en/media/working-persons-disabilities-forced-displacement (09.01.2023)

UNHCR (2018)

This policy reaffirms UNHCR’s commitment to prioritising individuals through an age, gender, and diversity (AGD) approach, ensuring equal rights and meaningful participation for persons of concern. Aligned with existing commitments to AGD, Accountability to Affected People (AAP), and women and girls, the policy supports UNHCR’s Strategic Directions 2017-2021, emphasising the diverse experiences of displaced individuals. It mandates compliance across all operations, recognizing the nuanced impact of forced displacement based on age, gender, and diversity. The policy acknowledges progress in AGD, gender equality, and AAP, aiming to strengthen these aspects in UNHCR’s operations.

https://emergency.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/UNHCR%2C%20Policy%20on%20age%2C%20gender%20and%20diversity%2C%202018_0.pdf (09.01.2023)

Blin, Sarah; Billings, Niamh Cahill (2022), UKAid,

The profile, developed between April 26, 2022, and June 13, 2022, supplements the overarching briefing paper on Humanitarian Assistance and Social Protection Linkages in the Ukraine crisis. Key messages highlight Romania’s weak social protection system, which, despite expanding in response to shocks, lacks adequate safeguards for vulnerable groups against poverty. The refugee influx response involves aid agencies and government support, focusing on tweaks to the existing refugee social protection program. Collaboration needs to intensify to pinpoint bottlenecks and enhance the government’s capacity to deliver support through the state social protection system. Discussions with the government should aim to align services for Ukrainians with those for pre-war asylum seekers, agreeing on a comprehensive package of services and addressing potential changes. The profile suggests supporting longer-term reforms focusing on adequacy, coverage, labor market policies, and local-level delivery.

https://socialprotection.org/discover/publications/romania-social-protection-country-profile-ukraine-crisis-response (09.01.2024)

UNHCR (2021),Integration Policy Brief I September 2021

This policy brief addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on refugees in Europe, emphasising their disproportionate vulnerabilities and the need for inclusive social protection. While acknowledging Europe’s generally favourable legal framework, the brief highlights practical barriers refugees face in accessing social safety nets. UNHCR’s systematic assessment of 45 European countries identifies exclusion issues and proposes collaborative solutions. The brief advocates for a collective effort at regional, national, and local levels to overcome these obstacles and foster inclusive policies aligned with global principles. Overall, it stresses the imperative of leaving no one behind, emphasising the resilience and contributions of refugees to host communities amid the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.

https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/91049 (09.01.2024)