The Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative offers a unique space for sharing research, programming, and policies that advance self-reliance and forging connections with a diverse community of stakeholders.

Becoming an RSRI Network Partner (as a representative organization) or participating in our Community of Practice (as an individual member) is a statement of commitment to collective action to achieve our shared vision of a world where refugees have the social and economic abilities to meet their needs in a sustainable manner and live with dignity.

RSRI NETWORK PARTNERS

RSRI Network Partners are an integral part of our global community. Participation is open to refugee-led and community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, multilateral organizations, funders, government agencies, private sector actors, and research institutions that engage with self-reliance programming, research, or advocacy.

Network Partners commit to active, dedicated engagement in the RSRI Community of Practice and its technical working groups. Additionally, focal points from Network Partner organizations are eligible to serve on the RSRI Steering Committee.

RSRI Network Partners are expected to:

  • Promote/enhance refugee self-reliance opportunities within relevant spheres of work or influence

  • Contribute to the self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion of refugees through knowledge creation and shared learning

  • Alert the RSRI to relevant opportunities for partnerships, programming, professional development, or funding, and facilitate connections whenever possible

Are you an independent researcher, practitioner, or policymaker? Want get involved with the RSRI as an individual without formally representing an organization?

BENEFITS OF NETWORK PARTNERSHIP

Impact

  • Association with a collaborative effort to improve global refugee response and accelerate collective impact

  • Cross-pollination and sharing of ideas, learning, tools, and resources

  • Access to a broad pool of technical working groups, resources, evidence, and analysis to inform your work and develop the capabilities and skills of your team

  • Exposure to the latest ideas and innovations around refugee self-reliance programming, strategy, and policy development

  • Opportunities to partner with the RSRI on research and case study development

  • Prioritization for Self-Reliance Index (SRI) technical support, including training and data analysis

Visibility

  • Annual profile sharing with the RSRI-led Donor Working Group on Self-Reliance

  • Opportunities to co-brand on RSRI-led communication, publications, and technical resources

  • Opportunities to showcase your work within the RSRI network and beyond

  • Prioritization for presentation and co-hosting opportunities within the CoP, as well as in spotlights and reposts on social media platforms

Networking

  • Connections with a diverse community of stakeholders working to advance self-reliance and opportunities for collaboration

  • Opportunity to apply for a position on the RSRI Steering Committee

  • Access to the RSRI Network Partners directory

  • Access to events, networking, webinars, and training

Responsibilities and Terms of Participation

Participation in the RSRI network is free of charge.

Network Partners must agree to the RSRI Network Partner Protocols and report annually on their self-reliance work and commitment to advance self-reliance. Membership renewal will be based on this annual reporting and participation in the broader network.

Becoming an RSRI Network Partner does not result in a legal agreement between the two agencies. Network Partners are responsible for their own costs and expenses incurred in attending any RSRI meetings and are not entitled to submit any financial claims to the RSRI.

The RSRI convenes several self-reliance groups. Some of these are open to Network Partners and CoP Members, including the technical working groups and Research CoP. Others, such as the Donor Working Group on Self-Reliance and the Multistakeholder Pledge on Economic Inclusion and Social Protection (EISP) Pledge Group, are closed groups for invited stakeholders only. If you are interested in learning more about any of these groups, please contact the RSRI team at info@refugeeselfreliance.org.

RSRI Network Partner Protocols

Prospective Network Partners are invited to complete and submit the RSRI Network Partner Application. Applications will be acknowledged within two weeks of receipt and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If accepted, your organization will be asked to review and sign the following Network Partner Protocols.

Network Partners must sign the Network Partner Protocols, but are not obligated to be signatories to all RSRI content.

    • Name an assigned focal point person(s) to liaise with the RSRI.

    • Agree to have your organization’s name and logo featured on the RSRI website and in general RSRI informational materials as a member of the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative. Any other use of name and logo beyond these stated purposes will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

    • Sign on by organizational leadership to the RSRI Network Partner Protocols.

    • To the extent possible, amplify RSRI messaging through your organization’s own channels.

    • Participate in occasional one-on-one calls with RSRI organizers to provide thought leadership and strategic input.

    • Participate in regular RSRI meetings and events.

    • Report annually on self-reliance work through participation in the Annual CoP Member Survey.

    • Share materials produced around self-reliance and related topics for inclusion in the RSRI online Resource Database.

    • Demonstrate a commitment to uphold core humanitarian principles and standards and ethical practices.

  • RSRI Network Partnership is perpetual unless a member chooses to withdraw their membership from the RSRI by providing written notice to the RSRI team at any time. Membership renewal will be based on a Network Partner’s annual reporting of their self-reliance work and participation in the broader network.

    With a vote by the Steering Committee, the RSRI team may also terminate partnership at any time for any Partner that does not comply with the stated obligations.

  • Information exchanged is solely for the express purpose of furthering the RSRI mission. No Intellectual Property rights are implied or granted as part of the exchange.

    All Network Partners have access to the research, experience reports, survey results, and other assets generated as a result of working towards the RSRI mission.

  • To support collaboration, limited personal data will be collected from Network Partners. This may include names and contact details for individuals and any other data obtained through regular surveys or communication.

    The RSRI and/or the Host Agency plans to use the personal data supplied by members for the following purposes:

    1. Administration of the RSRI, including communications and notifications of meetings

    2. Creation of a database of Network Partner contact details

    3. Use of the name and logo of the Network Partner on the RSRI website

    Personal data will be used solely for the above purposes and shared only on a need-to-know basis.

  • Network Partners that are currently applying the Self-Reliance Index (SRI) are encouraged to enter into a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) with the RSRI. This is not compulsory, but can be helpful in the event that a Network Partner is interested in benefiting from RSRI-led data analysis, report development, and technical support.

    Please contact RSRI Training & Technical Support Manager, Ned Meerdink (meerdink@refugeeselfreliance.org), to gain access to the DSA and inquire about any SRI-related items for which support from the RSRI would be helpful.

  • All public representation of the RSRI shall be made in the name of the RSRI.

    Unless the use is pre-approved by the Partner (see Partner Obligations), the RSRI will not use a Network Partner's name and logo except to list them on the RSRI website. The RSRI will obtain consent from Partners before using their name or logo in any proposed materials. 

    Partners shall obtain prior consent for public communications that use the RSRI name or logo or any other documents relating to the RSRI.

  • Network Partners agree to act in accordance with the humanitarian principles outlined by UNHCR, and especially with the imperative of 'do no harm.'

  • The signatory of these protocols shall serve as the Network Partner’s “Focal Point.” The Focal Point agrees to attend a minimum of two virtual CoP Learning Calls or other virtual events per year. The Focal Point agrees to share their name, organization, role, location, and email address in the RSRI Network Partner directory. Finally, the Focal Point agrees to participate in the Annual CoP Member Survey.