EVALUATION OF UNHCR-LED INITIATIVES TO END STATELESSNESS – FINAL REPORT – VOLUME I 180. Key informants at global and regional levels reported very few examples of fundraising specifically for statelessness. In conjunction with the launch of the campaign the United Colors of Benetton provided corporate support to develop the #IBelong website. In 2016 UNHCR launched the first ever special appeal that focused on statelessness and sought to draw attention to the funding needed for implementation of the #IBelong Campaign, with an estimated requirement of USD 47 million for 20172018 in 11 countries that host major stateless or at-risk populations98. In 2017, however, UNHCR reported that the appeal did not attract the required funding, which had a “negative impact on the capacity of UNHCR to support efforts to end statelessness around the world in 2017”99. 181. The #IBelong campaign web page titled “Take Action” on the main UNHCR website does include an option for donating to support stateless people, though it is unknown how much has been received through this platform and whether such donations are ringfenced for statelessness work. Key informants reported that statelessness has not been prioritized for private sector fundraising (including individual giving), partly due to the complexity of communicating about statelessness. 56 percent of External Relations staff responded in the survey that their operation communicates with donors about statelessness. Yet, 71 percent reported that statelessness is not prioritized in fundraising efforts. 182. Generally, UNHCR does not solicit earmarked resources from its donors, preferring to stress the importance of flexible financing for its work. Between 2010 and 2020 a total of USD 58,665,529 was received in earmarked contributions for Pillar 2, 56 percent of which was recorded prior to 2015. Fifty-one percent of earmarked contributions have been from government donors, 33 percent from intergovernmental sources, 15 percent from other UN entities, and less than 1 percent from the private sector. 183. The European Union is credited with contributing the most earmarked contributions for statelessness between 2010 and 2020 with a total of USD 19,534,538, or 33 percent of total Pillar 2 earmarked funding. Japan is the next largest earmarked contributor with USD 13,864,180. However, many of UNHCR’s highest contributing donors strongly support the statelessness mandate but have made mostly unearmarked contributions. 184. Earmarked contributions for statelessness were sometimes restricted for use on particular activities with no discernible pattern, and often earmarked for specific operations. Four operations received 89 percent of earmarked statelessness contributions: Myanmar (USD 33.5m), the U.S. multi-country office (covering the Dominican Republic) (USD 10.9m), Cote d’Ivoire (USD 4.1m) and Sudan (USD3.8m). Potential impact of ongoing institutional reforms Finding 20: Ongoing changes in UNHCR’s structure, planning and budgeting systems present both opportunities and challenges for the organization’s work on statelessness. 185. Some key informants expressed that the regionalization changes would have little influence over their work on statelessness, as the Regional Statelessness Officers would continue to provide the same advice and support, linking country operations to global strategies, guidance and resources. Others expressed some concern that regionalization presents risks for ensuring statelessness is prioritized and addressed consistently as the priorities of Regional Directors would likely become even more influential in determining the resources and attention given to statelessness. A few key informants also noted the original decentralization reform intended to shift staff resources and positions from HQ to regional bureaux, and eventually lead to more posts at country level, including from DIP – the effects of which could be positive or negative for the priority given to statelessness. Changes to staffing due to regionalization evident to date are a reduced level of staff for the Statelessness Section as of 2020, a reduction in staffing in the West and Central Africa Region, the downgrading of the vacant statelessness officer position in the Americas, and retitling of a position in East Africa (no longer fully focused on statelessness). 186. Some structural changes are ongoing as well. The responsibilities and coverage of the U.S. multi-country office (MCO) are being divided, with approximately half of Caribbean countries shifting reporting responsibilities to the Regional Bureau in Panama. While this may address capacity and span of control challenges the implications for prioritizing statelessness are unclear. The evaluation observed some challenges with MCO coverage and capacity to facilitate statelessness work where UNHCR has minimal 98 99 50 UNCHR, 2016 Global Strategic Priorities Progress Report. UNHCR, 2017 Global Strategic Priorities Progress Report. UNHCR / May, 2021