PRO M OTING R E FU G E E I NT E G RAT I O N A ND I NC LU SI ON : E M P OW E R I N G M U N I C I PA L I T I E S AC R OSS E U R OP E P R O MOT IN G R E FUGE E IN T EG R ATIO N AN D IN C LUSIO N : EMP OWE R IN G MUN IC IPAL ITIES ACROS S EUROPE UNHCR AND ITS WORK WITH MUNICIPALITIES Supporting local governments is a key pillar of UNHCR’s work, anchored in its global Policy on Protection, Inclusion and Solutions in Urban Areas, which is based on the rationale that the world’s forcibly displaced and stateless persons live increasingly in urban areas, in step with global urbanization trends.57 This same strategy recognizes that urban areas receiving forcibly displaced persons are already struggling to provide city residents with low-income housing and other essential urban services. Limitations in capacities within the local and public systems can heighten protection risks for displaced and stateless persons and lead to community tensions, adversely affecting social stability, access to services, and the enjoyment of rights. In its engagement with municipalities and other local actors it supports the enhancement of an environment conducive to socio-economic inclusion of refugees through: (i) evidence-based advocacy to tackle inclusion gaps and protection risks, capacity building on refugee issues and facilitating exchange of emerging practices; (ii) supporting holistic and coordinated approaches among municipalities and other local actors, including private sector, financial service providers, civil society and refugee led organizations; (iii) facilitating the development of innovative projects, including through access to funding instruments and non-traditional partners, such as the private sector and development actors; and (iv) promoting participatory approaches and contributing to social cohesion.58 The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) affirmed in 2018 by the UN General Assembly sets out a vision for more predictable, equitable, comprehensive and timely refugee responses, and recognizes local authorities, as frontline actors, while highlighting opportunities for the engagement of city networks. In recent years, UNHCR has developed common tools and methods to engage coherently and add consistent value across the spectrum of municipal networks and coalitions. UNHCR in Europe acts primarily as catalyst, convenor, and facilitator to support states to identify and provide protection and solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless individuals. It aims to align national and regional frameworks and practices on refugee protection and statelessness with international standards through advocacy with and technical support to all stakeholders including regional organizations, governments, local authorities, civil society, organizations led by forcibly displaced and stateless people, private and development actors, and donors. 16 Effective Inclusion of Refugees: Participatory Approaches for Practitioners at the Local Level – A toolkit Developed in collaboration with the Migration Policy Group (MPG), this toolkit can guide local actors to build participatory approaches in a manner that effectively engages refugees in planning and implementation processes in their respective cities and towns and to enhance sustainable solutions. It builds upon decades of experiences among humanitarian and development actors in creating programs that foster inclusion and integration in host communities, along with the practical experiences of municipal authorities and local actors across Europe and beyond. UNHCR REGIONAL BUREAU FOR EUROPE, AUGUST 2024 The toolkit was developed jointly with local authorities, service providers, civil society and Refugee-Led Organisations (RLOs) in seven pilot countries, MPG and UNHCR over a period of 18 months. It contains a scorecard with a set of clear and measurable indicators through which actors can quickly identify strengths and gaps of their integration and inclusion initiatives or existing services and to assess whether these meet certain basic thresholds to be classified as a good practice. In municipalities where the toolkit has been applied, local actors have used the scorecard as a guide to measure progress and assess impact as they’ve adapted their programs or services to become more refugee inclusive, and as part of the process of developing proposals for external fundraising. The toolkit covers 6 areas essential for achieving a successful and comprehensive approach to refugee inclusion: Clarity on Support needed by refugees; Ensure support caters to the needs of all; Create service for the long run; Work not only for people but with them; Involve Local Communities and Support Volunteerism; Strive for Comprehensive Integration and Inclusion Support. Since its release in April 2022, the toolkit has been translated into 24 languages. Effective Inclusion of Refugees: participatory approaches for practitioners at the local level A toolkit by UNHCR and Migration Policy Group UNHCR REGIONAL BUREAU FOR EUROPE, AUGUST 2024 17