EVALUATION OF UNHCR-LED INITIATIVES TO END STATELESSNESS – FINAL REPORT – VOLUME I
implementation at national and sub-national level. To ensure this, UNHCR needs to play a continued
monitoring role and be prepared to advocate on behalf of stateless and formerly stateless persons if and
when instances of discrimination or exclusion arise, or when funding and capacity are threatened to
implement agreed solutions, despite changes in laws and policy. Case study and global interviews
offered multiple cautionary stories of contexts where statelessness was thought to be minimal or
resolved, only to find that legislative or executive arms of a national government, or sub-national
government bodies, were discussing changes in law, policy or practice that would generate new cases of
statelessness or put people at-risk of statelessness.
143. Based on identified influencing factors and lessons about prevention and resolution of statelessness in
different contexts, the evaluation team developed an inferred success pathway that could be used for
developing long-term strategies and plans for work on statelessness in UNHCR operations. Figure 16
illustrates these planning elements and simplified progression towards sustained solutions.
144. The inferred success pathway, while presented in a rather linear fashion, is representative of a holistic
view of the incremental changes and related efforts required to achieve durable solutions for identifying
and protecting persons of concern, preventing and resolving statelessness, and facilitating local
integration of PoC. In some case studies certain elements have already been achieved or are easier to
influence. In other cases, there has been the need to continuously and incrementally build on progress
(such as improving data or revisiting political sensitivities as they arise) while continuing on to other
actions.
Figure 16 – Inferred success pathway
Collect and analyze
information to
understand scope
and attributes of
statelessness,
obstacles and
opportunities for
change
Build understanding
of government,
public, PoC, partners
on problem and
implications;
develop partnerships
and coalitions
Awareness &
knowledge of
key actors
Data on PoC,
context, drivers
Dedicate internal
resources to focus
on statelessness
mandate
Initial HCR staff
and budget
commitments
Sustained
solutions
Public and / or policy
advocacy to
overcome
sensitivities;
enhance key
government and
community
relationships
Sensitivities –
political &
socio-cultural
Secure nationality,
ensure sustained
implementation and
adherence, prevent
new cases of
statelessness, shift
to monitoring and
technical advice
Willingness to
address
Confirm enabling
environment is
conducive, develop
multi-stakeholder
plans and projects
Ongoing and
expanded
prioritization
Ensure continued
focus and support
and expand
prioritization to
external actors, work
to plan, monitor
progress
Capacity and
resources
Develop HCR,
government and
partner capacities
and secure
resources for
initiatives
145. Key informants stressed that the appropriate combination of initiatives UNHCR plans and implements to
address statelessness need to be context specific. Plans need to be based on nuanced understanding of
the historical and political circumstances of a particular situation, key drivers of statelessness, the current
dimensions of the problem, and the role of different stakeholders to tailor, advocate for, and implement
the best approaches.
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UNHCR / May, 2021