{"id":27109,"date":"2018-07-03T12:58:39","date_gmt":"2018-07-03T10:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/innovation\/?p=27109"},"modified":"2018-07-05T13:44:33","modified_gmt":"2018-07-05T11:44:33","slug":"cfr-two-years-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/innovation\/cfr-two-years-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Connectivity for Refugees: where are we two years later"},"content":{"rendered":"

Budiaki helps her student to connect to online social media during basic computer skills training session in the Information technology classroom of the Women’s Centre for urban refugees in Nouakchott, Mauritania. Photo credit: \u00a9 UNHCR\/Agron Dragaj<\/em><\/p>\n

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Two years since the inception of the <\/span>Connectivity for Refugees<\/span><\/a> initiative, UNHCR\u2019s Innovation Service is taking a moment to reflect on how things have progressed. Through a series of short blog posts we\u2019ll unpack the lessons learnt from pilots that have been undertaken across a number of countries, to work out what is having the most impact, and identify obstacles and challenges that have hampered progress. Over time, we\u2019ll also be using this blog to highlight case studies of the different pilots that are taking place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Connectivity for Refugees formally started as an initiative in November 2016 with the launch of research conducted by Accenture Development Partnerships, and an associated Connectivity for Refugees report. This research was commissioned by UNHCR\u2019s ICT division which has traditionally supported connecting humanitarian responders. Due to technological advancements, and other counterparts in the humanitarian sector expanding the scope of their ICT solutions to cover affected populations, UNHCR\u2019s ICT division aimed to expand UNHCR\u2019s remit to include refugees access to the internet. The research aimed to determine what impact could be made on the lives of refugees through internet connectivity, and to develop a practical route towards connecting those who are currently not connected – bridging the digital divide. Given UNHCR Innovation Service\u2019s experience in piloting and developing new initiatives, Connectivity for Refugees was internally handed over to the Innovation Service for this incubation period.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>The initial <\/span>strategy <\/span><\/a>was broken into three core pillars of connectivity, each with a subset of more practical approaches that would be applied. Combined with the strategy, a fundraising roadmap was laid out to support both global and field level interventions. A specific focus was given to partnerships, with a large portion of the strategy being driven through either advocacy towards or collaboration with governments, private sectors partners, NGOs or donors to deliver connectivity for refugees. The strategy pillars were:<\/span><\/p>\n

Accessibility<\/span><\/h3>\n