UNHCR NGO Innovation Award 2020 for Refugee-led Organizations

This year, UNHCR will dedicate the award to Refugee-led Organizations (RLOs). The Award 2020 looks for novel and creative solutions RLOs have developed in response to COVID-19 at the global, regional, national and local levels.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a global health emergency, it has also negatively impacted protection and well-being of persons of concern around the world causing, for instance, loss of access to asylum, freedom of movement, and livelihoods; increased food insecurity; and risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Refugees and other forcibly displaced populations are among some of the most vulnerable people impacted by the pandemic. Fortunately, in the response, creativity and innovation also have flourished. RLOs, working with persons of concern and host communities, have come up with many innovative practices, for instance, reshaping existing livelihood projects to manufacturing protective equipment, hosting radio slot talks to distribute correct information amongst refugees, producing plant-based soaps for distribution and utilizing medical/psychosocial consultations via accessible messaging tools.

UNHCR, via this Award, wishes to identify and recognize the creativity and innovative approaches adopted by the RLOs in addressing multiple challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the award is to provide public recognition to those efforts resulting in better protection and delivery of service to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR; and amplify the acts of solidarity and innovation in this age of disruption.

Application Deadline: September 25th 2020

Eligibility criteria for nomination

Legally registered non-profit RLO with a bank account
Working with refugees, IDPs, the stateless and host communities in forcibly displaced context
Demonstrated innovative approaches that address challenges in the COVID-19 response in a creative and novel manner, reflecting the value of diversity and inclusion

RLOs are defined as those that are either entirely founded and led by refugees or have refugees in positions of decision making and are active in providing protection and assistance to refugees.

Award selection criteria

Understanding of the problem/issue at hand
Novelty of solution (solution is new to the context, or new to the world – product, service, process or outcome)
Inclusion (who has been involved)
Impact and/or initial findings/results

Benefits