Joining efforts for localisation and advocacy for protection

Contact details 

Submitted by: Karin Marianne Eriksen, Programme Coordinator, Regional Development and Protection Programme

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://rdpp-me.org/

Social:

@rdppme 

#rdppme

Introduction to the project 

Country

The Middle East – Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq

Duration

2014-December 2021

There is a possibility that it might be extended or renewed.

Description

With a humanitarian-development nexus approach to programming, the Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) for Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq aims at supporting civil society, host governments, donors and other stakeholders in understanding and mitigating the impact of protracted forced displacement from Syria.  Through partnerships with national and international actors, the RDPP seeks to enhance protection and support socio-economic development for refugees and host communities in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, with a view to support opportunities for durable solutions.

The RDPP is focused around three thematic areas; livelihoods towards durable solutions, expanding and upholding protection space; and research and advocacy. With the focus on research and advocacy the programme seeks to generate to high quality and relevant research, which can support evidence-based advocacy and policy development of host governments, donors, and national and international actors. The focus on protection aims at supporting capacity development of national systems, authorities and civil society with a focus on vulnerable women, youth and children at risk. Through support to skills development, business support and engagement with the private sector, the programme aims to support sustainable job opportunities for refugees and host communities.

The good practice of the RDPP meets the GCR objective of easing the pressure on host countries and enhancing refugee self-reliance, as well as through the focus on durable solutions contributing towards the possibilities for refugees to return in safety and dignity. With the partnership approach focused on enhancing local and national capacities to respond to the impact of refugee displacement and the inclusive approach to host communities and refugees (and IDPs in Iraq), the aim of the RDPP is to support and enable host governments, national actors and local structures to play an active role in easing the burden of the Syrian displacement crisis. Further, with the strengthened focus on supporting sustainable, decent and legal livelihood opportunities through a durable solutions lens, the approach to livelihoods has the objective of supporting self-reliance of refugees, while also contributing to prospects for refugees to consider the option of return, when conducive conditions exists.

Through the multi-donor platform for several European donors to join forces and with the focus on supporting national governments and entities, the RDPP contributes to burden and responsibility sharing and to getting non-traditional development actors engaged in the solutions to protracted displacement.  

Four cross-cutting, operational principles have been incorporated in the RDPP, directing programming and selection of partnerships; localization, innovation, humanitarian-development nexus and human rights based approaches. Localization is a key focus, prioritizing partnerships as directly as possible with national authorities, civil society and host governments. A focus on innovative projects and piloting of new approaches are supported, where relevant and when opportunities develop. Commitment to addressing the humanitarian-development nexus is a central priority for selection of partnerships, for example in terms of approaches and time-frames. Lastly, a human right based approach is applied to all partnerships and programming across the three thematic areas.

Project aims

Strategic objective: Refugees and host populations living in displacement affected communities access their rights, are safe, self-reliant, and refugees are able to avail themselves of a durable solution.

Thematic objectives:

  • Livelihoods towards durable solutions: Access to safe and sustainable livelihoods opportunities for displacement-affected populations, in support of durable solutions is improved.
  • Upholding and expanding protection space: Protection space for vulnerable refugees and host communities is expanded.
  • Research and advocacy: A more conducive environment for durable solutions.

Resources used

 

  • Total budget for RDPP phase II 2018-2021: Euro 54,1 mill.
  • Technical support provided through the Programme Management Unit in Beirut, Amman and Copenhagen.

Partners

  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • European Union
  • Ireland
  • Switzerland
  • The Lebanese NGO Abaad will contribute with a concrete example of good practice on advocacy for protection of refugees and host communities

How challenges were overcome 

Challenges faced include:

  • Narrowing policy environment in terms of protection of refugees.
  • Increasing push for returns in several of the countries of operation.
  • Time frames for implementation of nexus approaches.
  • Nexus approaches still challenging for both international and national partners.

These were overcome by:

  • A flexible, adaptable approach to adjust programming as implementation progressed.
  • Expanding the time frame to allow for longer implementation.
  • A greater focus on national partners and support to their advocacy roles and work.
  • An increased focus on capacity development of national structures, institutions and entities.

Results of the Good Practice

  • The Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) for the Middle East funds local and national partners and applies a long-term perspective to the partnerships, emphasizing a close and flexible relation, enabling adaptation to emerging nexus priorities at policy and community levels.
  • Support to a Lebanese NGO, Abaad, displays how a partnership focused on service delivery to victims of SGBV and awareness raising combined with a dedicated focus on advocacy work towards policy makers can affect change in legal frameworks.
  • Partnerships for phase II (2018-2021) is currently being selected.