Refugee engagement with regional structures

Aims

The aim of the study was to examine Refugee Community Organisations [RCOs] and Refugee Community Forums [RCF] participation in and influence on regional decision making structures.

Methodology

The report was conducted by the Social Business Company for the Yorkshire and Humberside Refugee Community Development Workers’ Network and interviewed 22 RCO, RCF and voluntary sector representatives.

Key issues

The report describes how RCOs and RCFs might develop to affect policy through local and regional structures and partnerships, the need for capacity building for RCOs, organisations that support them, and links to other regional forums.

Conclusions

Many of the conditions and structures to allow effective involvement already exist, but strategic investment in RCOs and RCFs and a more strategic approach to communication between local, regional and national bodies is needed.

Recommendations

Recommendations are aimed at RCOs, refugee supporting agencies and regional partnerships to clarify roles, reporting procedures and to improve joint working between mainstream and refugee voluntary sectors.