The PROSPECTS Partnership
The PROSPECTS Partnership
Across the world, more than 122 million people have been forced to leave their homes because of conflict, violence or persecution. This crisis is growing, making it harder for humanitarian aid to keep up. Host countries need more support to help both refugees and local communities while protecting human rights.
Started by the Government of the Netherlands, the PROSPECTS Partnership brings together five major humanitarian and development organizations: UNHCR, IFC, ILO, UNICEF and the World Bank. Since 2019, it has focused on helping refugees, other forcibly displaced people and host communities in eight countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan and Uganda.
PROSPECTS combines financial support with humanitarian and development expertise to help people become more self-reliant and better included in national systems.
The PROSPECTS Approach
To create long-term solutions for displaced and host communities, PROSPECTS works in four main areas:
Latest updates on PROSPECTS
How the PROSPECTS partnership transforms systems and lives
PROSPECTS is designed to transform the way that governments, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders collaborate to help forcibly displaced people and the communities that host them. Together, the Partnership is committed to bridging humanitarian and development efforts to unlock system-level change in some of the world’s most challenging contexts.
PROSPECTS in action: vision, milestones and impact
This briefing paper details the collective action of the PROSPECTS coalition (ILO, UNHCR, UNICEF, IFC and World Bank) supported by the Netherlands to improve the lives of forcibly displaced persons and host communities. It highlights the critical shift towards long-term, sustainable solutions by integrating forcibly displaced people into national education, social protection, and labour market systems.
Marwa | Syrian refugee
With every passing day I become prouder of myself and of my shop.
Marwa and her family were forced to flee conflict in Syria more than a decade ago and had to start over in a new country – Egypt. Through PROSPECTS, Marwa has participated in business trainings and received other support to help grow her tailoring shop, which now employs several people.
Enhanced protection and solutions through digital ID
With support from PROSPECTS, refugees in Ethiopia are being integrated into the country's digital ID system, opening access to critical services and new opportunities.
Launch of ILO PROSPECTS lessons learned report
UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements described the report launch as a learning moment that helps strengthen UNHCR’s protection leadership and commitment to inclusion of forcibly displaced people in national systems.
What makes PROSPECTS different
PROSPECTS focuses on long-term change for the lives of displaced people instead of just providing humanitarian emergency relief. It works with governments, UN agencies, financial institutions, businesses, and local communities to create sustainable solutions that reduce reliance on aid and promote economic stability.
Since it began, the partners have jointly achieved significant key results, including:
Registration of over 2 million refugees and asylum-seekers — 1.5 million of them in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon — providing documentation and legal status to access basic rights and services
More than 170,000 people, both forcibly displaced people and members of host communities benefiting from national social protection systems
Mental health, psychosocial and other case management support to over 770,000 people
Helping 1.7 million children and youth to complete education and job training programs
Facilitating 70,000 employment and/or self-employment opportunities
Ensuring access to clean water for 430,000 individuals.
Why PROSPECTS matters
As more people are forced to flee their homes, finding lasting solutions is urgent.
By investing in self-reliance and local economies, PROSPECTS helps refugees and host communities build better futures together.
© UNHCR/Rasheed Rasheed
