Kiva’s Post

Refugees are employable, hardworking, credit-worthy, and ultimately, investable. It’s time for donors to support their ingenuity and entrepreneurship with a sustainable funding approach: refugee lens investing. Barri Shorey, senior program officer of our Refugees initiative, explains how this blended finance model invests in refugee-owned and refugee-serving businesses. We work with impact investing partners like Lev Plaves from Kiva, RIF - Refugee Investment Facility, Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp, iGravity, Acumen, Refugee Investment Network, Building Markets, among others, to build refugee self-reliance and fuel local economies. #SOCAP24 Learn what #donors can do to invest in #refugees: https://lnkd.in/g3mxzQwh

Oh boy - never my favorite to be solo in a video (thank god for Lev Plaves solo inputs too) but it is my new favorite thing to talk about Refugee Lens Investiong (https://lnkd.in/gf5QVMSz) and the potential of blended finance work in a space that continues to see humanitarian funding shrink. Come join the wonderful partners (Acumen, RIF - Refugee Investment Facility, Refugee Investment Network, Building Markets, Five One Labs etc) I get to work with on this - learn more and invest more! (instead of having to watching the video - better to check out the Q&A on the website :) - https://lnkd.in/gdTeqhk6)

In 2011, we launched the world’s first Development Impact Bond (DIB) focused on supporting individuals displaced by forced migration in the Middle East. This ‘Refugee Impact Bond’ funds the efforts of Near East Foundation UK in providing vocational, entrepreneurship, and resilience-building programs for refugees and members of their host communities in Jordan. Targeting disadvantaged communities forcibly displaced in this region, the DIB is designed to enable refugees and communities affected by conflict to achieve self-reliance. With the help of micro-enterprise development in local contexts, these individuals can create new businesses, jobs, wealth, and economic independence, contributing to more stable and dynamic economies. On the occasion of #WorldRefugeeDay 2024, we highlight the impact of this #DevelopmentImpactBond in improving refugees’ livelihoods.  https://lnkd.in/d--DH84R #ImpactInvestment #KOIS #MiddleEast #RefugeeImpactBond #DIB #WorldRefugeeDay

The plight of refugees worldwide continues to intensify, but the organizations best positioned to help often struggle with funding. Here’s why the system fails and how we can change it: 1. Lack of Recognition. Local organizations, including those led by Refugees (RLOs) understand local needs best, yet they are often overlooked by major donors in favor of larger, international NGOs. 2. Rigid Funding Models. Traditional funding models favor established patterns over innovative, grassroots approaches. RLOs typically don’t fit these outdated models. 3. Limited Resources. RLOs often lack the resources to meet stringent funding requirements, such as detailed grant proposals or extensive reporting, which limits their access to critical funds. Potential for Change: 1. Increase direct funding to RLOs to enhance their capacity to respond effectively. 2. Simplify and streamline application and reporting processes to be more accessible to smaller, less formally structured organizations. 3. Foster partnerships between international NGOs and RLOs to combine resources, expertise, and legitimacy. The current system failure to adequately support RLOs undermines the effectiveness of humanitarian responses. By investing in local organizations, we not only empower those directly affected by crises but also enhance the overall efficacy and responsiveness of aid. P.S. Do you think more direct funding to RLOs could make a difference? #RefugeeFunding #RefugeeLeadership #RefugeeParticipation

Jorge Moreira da Silva Executive Director of UNOPS at the Goals House #UNGA panel on the topic “Missing Peace: How Sustainable Development Can Foster Lasting Peace” The panel was moderated by Simon Mundy, the Moral Money Editor of Financial Times. Goal 16 is about Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. There are about 12 targets and subtargets and 230 indicators. Humanitarian aid is not specifically mentioned in the SDGS nor are refugees (surprisingly) in the announcement of SDGs. It took three years of lobbying for it to be included as a soft wording under SDG Goal 10 (reduce Inequality within and among countries) “ target 10.7 concerns the facilitation of “orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration, and mobility of people, which includes the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies”.  Not really about refugees who can spend 40 years living without a permanent home in a limbo situation - no country, no identity and often very difficult conditions. Jorge gave some saddening statistics. If you are aware of the humanitarian situation around the world due to conflict and natural disasters, finance is a challenge. Only 5% of blended finance (public-private finance) goes to LDCs, only 6% goes to social sectors (health and education), which are critical for humanitarian response. Though 70% of all aid goes to fragile countries, only 4% goes to conflict prevention. The problem is that Peace sits at the centre of a nexus – and needs multiple stakeholders to get involved. There needs to be prevention of conflict, humanitarian response and aid, and rapid reconstruction or development aid (as you cannot wait for conflicts to end). He said, “Lots of bandaid, or firefighting, it is good to be there to provide people help in the emergency context, but it shouldn't be at the cost of shifting from development aid to humanitarian aid. Now 25% of all ODA, or $50 Billion goes for humanitarian aid and refugee cost, and a decade ago this figure was 10%.” Just asking - should we have a Peace Tax on weapons exporters since we have a 15% tax on global corporate profits - Global Minimum Tax (GMT)? A peace tax may help us with the prevention, humanitarian and development aid financing gap. More on this topic coming soon. More: www.melodena.com #peace #humanitarian #aid #ODA #conflict #funding #IGOs #SDGs

Refugees are experts in their own experience. It’s obvious, isn’t it? But it hasn’t always been the starting point for humanitarian work. At the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Innovation Service, we recognize this basic fact and know that developing solutions #WithRefugees – better yet, providing refugees with the tools and resources to design and implement their own solutions – is essential.   Of course, supporting refugee-led programming is about equity, but that’s not all. It’s essential because it drives better solutions. Refugees know their own needs best – they are best placed to respond to those needs and build a brighter future for their communities.   These are the fundamental principles underlying our #RefugeeLed Innovation Fund. We built the Fund hand-in-hand with people #forcedtoflee.   Since it launched in late 2022, the Fund has supported more than 40 projects dreamed up and delivered by forcibly displaced and stateless people, across more than 25 countries. To date, those projects have touched the lives of more than 70,000 refugees and members of host communities. Hundreds of UNHCR colleagues are part of this journey and our partners at Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Luxembourg and Arm continue to be instrumental in helping us deliver on our promise! On #WorldRefugeeDay, learn more about the incredible refugee-led projects we’re supporting this year: https://lnkd.in/e5bDG4jA    And find out how the Fund was co-created with refugees: https://lnkd.in/enMsxs9C Erika Perez Iglesias Angela Mendez-Triviño Nathalie Rami Max Lamesch Imen Methni Fran B. Rosalie Tribe

🌍 Highlighting the Importance of Concessional Resources for Private Sector Engagement in Forced Displacement Contexts 🌟   The Global Concessional Financing Facility (#GCFF) is a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the financial needs of middle-income countries that host large numbers of refugees. By providing innovative financial solutions, the GCFF helps these countries manage the significant economic and social burdens they face, as they host over 50% of the world's refugees. Concessional resources are crucial in helping these nations manage the impact of forced displacement without overstraining their economies. The GCFF supports sustainable development projects that benefit both refugees and host communities, ensuring inclusive growth and social cohesion.   The IFC-UNHCR Joint Initiative is proud to contribute to this effort. Recently, Michel BOTZUNG head of the Joint Initiative, attended the GCFF Steering Committee meeting in #Moldova. He presented on the current state of private sector investments in refugee contexts, highlighting challenges, priorities, and opportunities that could pave the way for expanding the Private Sector Operations (PSO) modality. The PSO modality aims to support private sector initiatives that facilitate the economic inclusion of refugees and host communities, complementing public sector efforts. By focusing on innovative financial instruments, such as Partial Portfolio Guarantees (PPGs), the PSO modality encourages lending to underserved and vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and refugees. By diversifying its financial instruments, beyond partial risk guarantees, the GCFF’s PSO would increase opportunities for private sector investments in forced displacement contexts in these middle income countries which are today hosting the bulk of refugees and forcibly displaced.   📊To learn more, read about the IFC UNHCR Joint Initiative in the GCFF Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/d7EAgPzW #PrivateSectorEngagement #EconomicInclusion #RefugeeSupport #DevelopmentFinance #ConcessionalFinancing #PSO #WithRefugees #MiddleIncomeCountries #FinancialInclusion

🌍✈️ Remittances and migration play a crucial role in supporting communities around the world. This insightful article dives deep into the impact of remittances on Haiti, highlighting the resilience and strength of the Haitian diaspora. As part of the Ria Money Transfer family, I'm proud to be involved in facilitating these vital connections and providing a reliable means for families to support each other across borders. Check out this piece to learn more about how remittances are making a difference in Haiti. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gjARgWYR #Remittances #Migration #Haiti #RiaMoneyTransfer #CommunitySupport #GlobalConnections

Did you know that The Refugee Investment Network is the first impact investing and blended finance collaborative dedicated to creating long-term solutions to global forced migration?   What We Do: RIN moves private capital from commitment to active investment by sourcing, structuring, and supporting the financing of projects and companies that benefit refugees and host communities. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the untapped entrepreneurial potential of refugees and capital markets to spur economic growth, create jobs, and increase socio-economic stability among displaced people.   Why Refugees: The number of refugees has more than doubled to over 100M in the past 10 years. Unfortunately, existing systems for short-term emergency response and productive integration have not kept up with these evolving trends, leaving the dilemma as the defining social crisis of our time.   How We Do It: Through research, facilitation, and policy advocacy, we aim to create the first investor-centered knowledge hub targeting business opportunities that support refugee self-reliance, build a pipeline of bankable deals, and articulate investor needs to drive catalytic investments and policies.   By 2030, RIN aims to unlock at least $1billion in investment deals that produce over one million new jobs and measurably improve livelihood opportunities for refugees and their host communities.   Join us in our mission to create positive, sustainable change for displaced populations worldwide! #ImpactInvesting #RefugeeInvestment #ForcedMigration #SustainableDevelopment

"Sadly, anti-migration fear mongering has tremendous political currency. But that does not mean we – as humanitarians and civil society actors – should accept this and adapt and hyperbolize our advocacy and fundraising strategies and be complicit in misusing the anxieties around migration to meet our otherwise good intentions and objectives." Is it better to address donors' fears in order to raise money to address present humanitarian needs, or is it better to fight for a more correct discourse at the expense (potentially) of being able to meet the tangible needs of a crisis? #humanitarianassistance #migration