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The PROSPECTS Partnership

An instructor and a student looking at a computer at a community centre in Uganda.
Partnerships

The PROSPECTS Partnership

Helping refugees and host communities thrive.

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: 

Protection and social protection

Helping people get legal help, official documents and access to essential services. 

Education and training

Working with local governments to improve access to quality education, job training and skills development. 

Economic opportunities

Supporting job creation and business development to help refugees and local communities earn a living. 

Essential infrastructure

Investing in resources like water, sanitation, housing, and connectivity to improve daily life for everyone.

Marwa, a Syrian refugee, stands in a doorframe, looking confidently at the camera.

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.

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A woman wearing a bright red shirt stands behind the counter of a cafe

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.

Read the report

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A group of people, including Syrian refugees, pose for a photo.

THROUGH THEIR LENS

A recent photography exhibition in Jordan highlighted refugees’ daily life, as well as the dreams they bring to their host communities.

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Two Syrian refugee students writing in their notebooks in Erbil, Iraq.

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.

Read the remarks

Read the report

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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