The #LetThemWork initiative has four thematic pillars, under which we will conduct research, outreach, and policy engagement:

Image

1. Sustainable Financing. International aid actors have increasingly sought out more transparency and accountability in refugee financing, as well as ways to seek out durable solutions to long-term displacement. Financing institutions and development actors have taken on more direct roles in working with refugees. We want to explore the best way to support refugee crises in the long-term.
2. Physical Location. Humanitarians are currently experimenting with two new approaches to assisting refugees with shelter: (1) hybrid settlements, where additional housing is constructed near cities and towns; and (2) relocation, where displaced people are assisted in their movement to areas with more economic growth. We want to explore which countries are experimenting with these models and evaluate their impact.
3. Climate. Refugees and displaced people often work in economic sectors that have a high sensitivity to climate change. Despite this, climate change is rarely factored into refugee and displaced peoples’ job prospects. Similarly, refugees are rarely factored into national adaptation plans and climate adaptation financing. We want to explore these connections.
4. Social Cohesion and Public Attitudes. Host community attitudes affect refugee outcomes through daily economic and social interactions, and affect the politics and policies enacted by host governments. However, we have little data about public attitudes within these refugee hosting countries, and little understanding of ‘what works’ to promote social cohesion between refugees and hosts. We want to explore both of these issues.