Advancing Refugee-Led, Inclusive, and Sustainable Solutions
This statement from the RSRI’s Refugee Leadership and Refugee-Led Organization Engagement Technical Working Group shares refugee leaders’ and refugee-led organizations’ perspectives on UNHCR’s 50 by 35 vision.
Developed through a consultative process, it calls for refugee-led, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to self-reliance that extend beyond income and reduced dependence on humanitarian assistance to encompass rights, safety, access to services, well-being, agency, and resilience. The statement emphasizes meaningful refugee participation in decision-making, sustained investment in refugee-led organizations, and cross-sector collaboration to create the conditions for long-term self-reliance. It also underscores that humanitarian assistance and protection must remain available to those facing vulnerabilities and structural barriers, and that the transition toward self-reliance must not become an aid-exit strategy.
To date, 72 RLOs across 16 countries have signed the statement, reflecting broad engagement with its priorities.
The RSRI Refugee Leadership and Refugee-Led Organization (RLO) Engagement Technical Working Group (TWG) brings together refugee-led organizations and refugee leaders from across the RSRI network to develop technical tools, research, policy papers, and practical guidance on refugee self-reliance. The 2026 cohort includes 125 members committed to advancing refugee leadership and strengthening the role of RLOs in shaping self-reliance policy and practice.
